The Project

There is no better way to communicate an idea than to create a space as an invitation to act and respond. It can be said that space is frozen music and structure a beautiful poem, composed together on fragrant ground to create harmony. 

The basic idea behind my project is somewhat similar. In my understanding, one of the most fundamental aspect of design lies within achieving both the artistic glamour and applicability needed to make a perfect combination of beauty. A space that stirs the senses in such a way that it is capable of getting a reaction out of the observer, participant or a collective audience. 

For me, the need to go in depth and acquire an understanding of what spaces are and can be capable of achieving came after working as an event designer in the field of promotion, entertainment and advertising. As an interior designer by profession, I had limited knowledge about how spaces evoked reactions amongst people, as I was mostly concerned with the aesthetic value and creation of spaces rather than understanding the 'Why' behind them. It was only through working with clients who needed spaces created for various reasons like product promotions, launches, BTL activities for advertising campaigns, exhibitions, trade shows and festivals that I realized the crucial role of 'Ambiance' in spatial design especially in relation to media. I realized that whether it was a set for a television program, a stage for a live event or the opening of an exhibition, spatial design could be used to give an 'Experiential' feeling to an ideology, philosophy, design ethic or product USP. It helped in the communication of concepts not only through one human sense at a time but through all of them at the same time. Hence, creating a three dimensional experience for the audience that was very effective in getting desired reactions out of people. The effect was achieved by putting the audience in the centre of a subliminal activity that convinced through the sheer impact of making them live the idea. 

It was my observation of these dynamics that made me want to investigate and understand them on a higher level. Therefore, I intend to fully explore the psychology and philosophy of spaces affect the building of experiences and the consequent responses that can be gathered. The first step into the study would be to dissect space into its basic categories in order to get an understanding of how each aspect is put to work. In my research, these categories are: 

• Structure
• Color 
• Sound
• Props 
• Language - fonts, statements, poetry, words, questions etc
• Symbols
• Imagery
• Narrative

I will research and analyze the above with reference to spaces and their role as tools in creating experiences. This would be achieved through studying spaces created for various purposes including:

• Theatre/Stage
• Film Sets
• Television Sets
• Events
• Exhibitions
• Shop Displays
• Religion - Churches, Temples, Mosques etc
• Gardens
• Art Installations
• Public & Performance art

Further investigation into my project would lead me to go into the concept of 'Aesthetics' in relation to philosophy, the arts and human psyche, using it in connection with art to describe the sensibility and style of spaces - providing logic to the reason behind the design. This would help me fully comprehend the 'Nature of Experience' in terms of human perceptions, feelings, emotions and the role of unconscious experience in shaping human identity. 

The culmination of my research would be the final space created on the basis of my findings in an effort to validate my premise; how the subliminal control of environments and spaces initiates response and leads to the creation of an experience.