Control Theory - Good or Bad?
- lovedayy
- Oct 30, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 20, 2020
What do you think of when you hear, “Control Theory”? Sounds a bit constraining or sounds completely freeing? In the design world, practicing control theory is quite creatively liberating. Control theory is about exploring the knowledge of how psychology influences design, and with the right knowledge, you can access the ability to create the right vibes for anyone. To first understand how to control the needs of your design, you must get to know the needs of your client and purpose of what you are being asked to produce. From designing local community centers to high-end art museums to residential properties, the way we select where everything is placed within the design falls entirely on our ability to “control” the energy the users will receive.
ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
◊ “The discipline of Environmental Psychology within the process of interior design is about solving problems and characterizing spaces in many ways that are potentially relevant to a variety of psychological responses” (Meryem, 2015). In order for designers to understand what psychological needs they must control within their design, they must connect with their client, to understand the client's (and user's) specific needs. I also feel designers have a responsibility to stay up-to-date on environmental and public health issues, to make sure we are creating compliant and positive reflections of what our society needs. The COVID-19 health pandemic is a significant example of how environmental design change is impacting daily life around the world. This pandemic has created a paradigm shift in the way we navigate through life, especially our jobs. Designers are now, and will be from this point on, brainstorming creative and efficient office layouts to keep everyone healthy from contagious viruses without having to stick everyone in their own secluded bubble (because that’s no fun!).
Peer Reviewed Citation:
FENG SHUI
◊ What a fun word to say, Feng Shui *emphasizes and drag out on the Shuuuiii* :) Ever heard of it? It is a 4,000+ year-old Chinese philosophy that practices the delicacy of placing objects in a certain way to bring about a balanced connection between the environment and humans. Feng shui is about creating a flow throughout the space that matches our psychological needs. For example, my current bedroom layout is designed using the Commanding Position. “The commanding position is where you want to spend most of your time when you are in that room. It is the spot in a room that is the furthest from the door and not in direct line with it. It puts you diagonal to the door so you will have a clear line of sight to the door” (Cho, 2020). I have always designed by bedroom in this layout because it makes me feel more aware and connected to what is happening in my bedroom(specifically at the door), which helps me for more comfortable. I have also never known I was designing my bedroom in a way that perfectly matches the psychology behind the commanding position in Feng Shui. Which, to me, proves there is validity in the Feng Shui philosophy and is now a design philosophy I will reference throughout my career.
Revit Sketch Credit: Me
WAYFINDING
◊ Wayfinding is an intuitive design tool that helps control user travel as well as guide users to destinations and/or through complex designs. Wayfinding is used through the use of colors, signs, patterns and psychology. Ever play Red Light/Green Light when you were a kid? It was a blast, right?! :) It taught us that red means stop and green means go. We carry these color associations with us throughout our lives, always remembering what these colors mean. I use these intuitive associations everyday through road guidance, which is exactly what the designers of streetlights and road signs intended. The colors and images on road guidance are carefully selected to help reflect their meaning, without having to use words. Businesses also use wayfinding in forms of logos and colors to help users recognize and navigate to their business locations. Take McDonald’s for example. People around the globe know when they see that yellow "M" that is stands for McDonald's.
Photo Credit: Me
CONCULSION
From picking out the right floor/wall/ceiling style combination to creating an intuitive path of travel within our designs, we (designers) must understand the psychology behind the population groups that will use our design. We must be able to predict their behaviors in order to produce a space that meets everyone's needs (client and users). If we can put ourselves in someone else's shoes, even if just for a moment, we can understand their needs. It's all about connection and paying attention.
I love the organization of your blog, it feels clean and is extremely easy to read. Your use of everyday examples helped to give me a better understanding of control theory, especially the Feng Shui example. I, too, value the practice of Feng Shui and think it’s the perfect example for control theory. Great job!
Love your relation to the everyday life with the idea of traffic lights and control. I also really enjoyed reading your section on Feng Shui. I never thought about that as a "control" factor before. I also personally relate to your bedroom space and layout preference. I prefer an open layout and flow from my door for awareness and having a visual to see out. I like how you tied that in with control theory and how it can make someone feel in their personal spaces.
Good to see your post this week, I really surprise that you put the Feng Shui in your post, I really like your post, you have some really good examples, and some really good topic right now (every one is talking about the COVID-19. Really nic and clean graphic, you really doing a good job on yopu post.