Page 175 - Design Thinking C11

2. A team is designing a toy for a one-year-old using the Design Thinking. They’ve chosen the sense of touch.
What features should they consider including in the toy?

Answers
I. 1. (c) Smell 2. (c) Energy 3. (b) Ignoring the role of sound in the space

4. (c) Harmonious engagement of the senses 5. (c) Textures that are soft and safe
6. (c) It creates emotional reactions through color and layout
7. (c) To create a complete sensory journey that nurtures well-being
8. (b) Neutral tones, fluffy towels, and lavender scent
9. (c) It helps create different moods at different times of the day

10. (b) User engagement through sensory experiences
II. 1. perceive 2. sight 3. sound 4. Smell 5. blue
III. 1. False 2. True 3. True 4. True 5. True
IV. 1. Our senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—shape how we perceive and feel within a space. A well-
designed personal space engages these senses in harmony, creating an emotionally enriching, functional,
and comfortable environment that supports well-being and inner peace.
2. One common mistake is overloading the senses by using too many colours, textures, sounds, or scents at
once. This can make the space feel overwhelming, reducing comfort and making it emotionally unpleasant.
3. Lighting can be layered using overhead lights, table lamps, and candles. This approach allows users to create
different moods throughout the day, making the space adaptable, cozy, and visually soothing.
4. A spa-inspired bathroom uses neutral tones, soft towels, smooth marble surfaces, lavender or eucalyptus
scents, and calming water sounds. These sensory elements reduce stress and create a relaxing, self-care
environment.
5. We should use sound-absorbing materials like carpets and curtains to reduce noise. Adding soft background
music or natural sounds, such as water fountains, helps create a calming soundscape that supports focus,
relaxation, and well-being.
V. 1. Sight is often the first sense to connect us with a space. It influences emotions through colour, lighting,
patterns, and layout. For example, soft blue tones promote calmness in study rooms, while natural daylight
makes spaces feel larger and more inviting. Carefully chosen visual elements help create emotional reactions
like focus, energy, or peace, making sight a powerful tool in sensory design.
2. Textures allow people to physically connect with their environment. Materials like soft wool, velvet, or
polished wood add warmth and comfort. For instance, a bedroom with a woolen rug, velvet chair, and cotton
bedsheets creates a cozy, tactile experience. By layering textures, the space becomes emotionally engaging
and physically inviting, enhancing the sense of comfort and personal connection.
3. Strategies include balancing visual elements with calming or energizing colours, using layered lighting,
incorporating a mix of textures for touch, and adding gentle, natural scents. Designers can include background
music or natural sounds, and even create tea corners or snack stations for taste. These sensory layers work in
harmony to make the space feel alive, personal, and emotionally supportive.
4. Inconsistent sensory elements—like a warm colour palette paired with cold metallic textures or sharp
scents—can confuse the senses and make the space feel disjointed. This lack of harmony disrupts emotional
comfort and reduces the effectiveness of the design. To avoid this, designers should ensure that colours,
textures, sounds, and scents complement each other and tell a unified story that supports the user’s needs.

Design Thinking Process Project - Designing for personal space
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