Anne Wilkinson , Principal , BAMO gave a talk on The Intersection of Design & Wellbeing : Designing for Positive Emotional Impact , where she spoke on why design trends happen and what the bigger influences are that move things forward . Here are a few key takeaways from her session .
Design really reflects our time and with big disruptions changes in design happen more rapidly . Health and wellbeing are emerging as the biggest trends out of the pandemic and sustainability , diversity and social impact are also important and linked to wellbeing . She referenced Ecopsychology , the study of how nature has a positive influence on us , benefiting our cognitive ability , our health , our vitality , and our longevity . Studies show we are experiencing a negative effect because our environment is deteriorating and it is affecting our health and wellbeing , so sustainability is now not just a trend but is becoming an expectation and soon a requirement .
She also spoke about emotionally durable design , which is not just made to last 50 years but is something that is quality and beautifully made that people keep for decades because they love it . It is too early to see how diversity impacts design but she anticipates we will see a shift away from the Eurocentric design aesthetics and is interested to see where that takes us .
10 ILHA