How do aesthetics play a role in our mental health and emotional wellbeing? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, I chat with Dr. Jan Mikuni, a researcher in the psychology of art and aesthetics, about the intricate relationship between aesthetics, psychology, and design. Jan’s work explores aesthetic experiences in everyday life—ranging from encounters with artwork and museum exhibitions to interactions with urban environments—and how these experiences shape human perception, emotion, and behavior. Her core interest lies not only in understanding the nature and quality of aesthetic experiences, but also in examining their broader societal impact.

Jan shares her journey into the field of aesthetic psychology, discussing how environments and design influence human perception, emotion, and behavior. We explore concepts such as museum fatigue, the importance of aesthetics in wellbeing, and the psychological implications of our relationship with place. We also discuss the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the understanding and application of aesthetic principles in design, with the aim of improving individual and societal wellbeing.

In this episode:

• Aesthetics as a psychological process, not just about beauty
• Understanding our relationship to place is essential for our mental health
• Design as a tool for self-reflection and emotion regulation
• The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in enhancing the fields of design and psychology

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Connect with Jan:

Website: https://jan-mikuni.com/en/

Empirical Visual Aesthetics (EVA) Lab

Connect with Dr. Za:

Website: www.designwithdrza.com

Email: suzan@designwithdrza.com

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠⁠

⁠Book a Design Psychology Consult Call⁠

Can virtual environments help us heal anxiety and create a sense of safety amidst uncertainty? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, design psychologist Dr. Suzan Ahmed dives in with Mishleen Marcos, Palestinian interior designer and design instructor, to discuss her innovative research and the power of biophilic design in virtual reality environments to support mental health.

Mishleen Marcos is an interior designer and design instructor who recently completed her master’s degree in Art Therapy at Dar Al-Kalima University. Her work explores the intersection of interior design, virtual reality, music, and emotional wellbeing, with a focus on creating multisensory environments that support healing, presence, and connection.

Mishleen shares her journey from interior design to art therapy, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces that foster healing and connection. We explore biophilic design, the role of music in therapeutic environments, and the potential of virtual reality to create immersive experiences that reduce anxiety and facilitate a state of flow. We also discuss the future of design psychology, advocating for a more human-centered approach that prioritizes personal connection and emotional sustainability.

In this episode:

• The role of virtual reality and music in creating therapeutic interventions

• Emotional (and not just environmental) sustainability as an important component in design

• AI and other technology as tools of support

• The legacy of design as a reflection of the experiences and feelings it creates for others

Connect with Mishleen:

mishleenmorcus@gmail.com

Therapeutic Music by Dr. Nawra Kurzom:

Music for Concentration

The Magic of the Night

Sunrise

Connect with Dr. Za:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠⁠

⁠Book a Design Psychology Consult Call⁠

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Design and Healing

04:25 The Journey into Biophilic Design and VR

08:40 Research Findings and Impact on Students

12:32 The Role of Music in Healing Spaces

16:48 Creating Flow States in Design

21:11 The Intersection of AI, Technology, and Human Connection

26:12 AI in Mental Health Support

29:12 The Emotional Connection to Home

31:57 The Future of Design Psychology

37:06 Living in the Moment and Legacy

What can our relationships to home, body, and environment teach us about becoming conscious creators of our lives? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, design psychologist Dr. Suzan Ahmed dives in with Desirée Gonzalez, a Social Psychologist and Designer specialized in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Ecological Psychologies, to discuss the importance of creating restorative environments that promote liberation and social justice, as well as the role of design psychology in fostering a sense of groundedness and embodiment – inside and out.

Desirée is a Social, Economic, and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, a Trauma-Informed Design Practitioner, and a Design Fellow at both the Centre for Conscious Design (the CCD), as well as Design Corps where she is also a Project Manager in Public Interest Design working with Indigenous Architects and Designers.

Desirée shares her unique journey as a designer and social psychologist, as she reflects on her personal connection to place and the significance of viewing the body as a sanctuary and symbol of the unconscious. The conversation explores the empowerment that comes from conscious creation and the responsibility to shape a future that honors both individual and collective identities.

In this episode:

• The importance of integrating restorative practices into the built environment.
• The symbolism of home, the unconscious, and the body through the lens of depth psychology.
• Empowerment in design as particularly significant for women of color.
• Conscious creation as a process of also dismantling harmful belief systems.

Connect with Desirée:

Centre for Conscious Design

Reimagining Worlds Without Whiteness Podcast

Indigenous Public Interest Design Institute

Hausense Consultancy

Connect with Dr. Za:

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠

Book a Design Psychology Consult Call

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Design and Psychology

03:14 Desirée's Journey into Design

06:07 The Importance of Design Psychology

09:39 Conscious Creation and Personal Reflection

12:38 The Body as Home and Sanctuary

15:41 Empowerment through Design and Identity

18:32 Future of Design Psychology

21:40 Legacy and Honoring the Past