Visual perception is the process of comprehending and gaining knowledge about the happenings in our surroundings through our senses. There are numerous methods through which we can perceive things, such as sight, touch and hearing.
Our sense of vision is very important as it provides us with the majority of our knowledge about the surroundings. The eye takes in light and the brain figures out where things are, how they’re moving, and what they are. But it’s important to know that what we each see as real can sometimes be pretty different from what others see, and that’s when visual tricks happen.
Architects who consider the psychological aspects of design and visual perception rules are able to create spaces that not only fulfill their practical requirements but also profoundly resonate with and improve the overall happiness of the people who live in them.
Here are a couple of examples that demonstrate how they can accomplish this:
Spatial Perception: The design of a building impacts our perception and mobility within it. Factors such as dimensions, structure, and layout can influence our level of comfort, relaxation, or confinement. For instance, a vast, unobstructed atrium may elicit a sense of sophistication and liberty, whereas narrow passageways might create a sensation of being confined. It can be difficult to find the right way especially in an architecturally complex building, so architects are using signage to make it easier to navigate, catch your bearings and at the same time reduce stress and frustration.
design of an office he way we perceive a given environment can also be influenced by the materials used in the interiors or the colors used. Studies confirm that access to plenty of natural light inclusion, access to greenery and spacious windows are factors that can really increase our well-being and happiness.
How different visual and sensory elements impact architecture design?
- Light and Shadow: Architects use natural and artificial light to shape spaces, emphasize architectural elements, and make cool effects that set the mood and ambiance.
- Form and Function: The way you perceive architectural elements has the potential to completely alter their form and function. Consider this: the dimensions, configuration, and orientation of windows not only contribute to the aesthetics of a building, but also dictate the amount of sunlight, fresh air, and views that it receives. These factors can have a significant impact on the overall comfort and satisfaction of building users.
- Materials and texture: Architects choose materials based on how they look, how long they will last and whether they are appropriate for the intended purpose of the space. This helps to make the design both visually appealing and practical.
- Color: plays significant role in architectural design, influencing the mood, atmosphere, and visual perception of spaces because different colors evoke specific emotional responses. The psychology of color is quite well researched and I will certainly write about it again more than once.
- Aesthetic Experience: The way we see things plays affects how we feel about its beauty, how well everything fits together, and how visually appealing it is. Architects use things like proportion, symmetry, and rhythm to make designs that look really good and make us feel something.
- Depth perception: is important because it allows us to accurately assess the spatial relationships between various objects and elements within structures. Architects are adept at incorporating techniques such as perspective, scale, and strategic placement of elements to give designs a sense of depth and
Examples of visual perception in everyday life
Optical room enlargement
Have you ever received the advice that using lighter shades of paint in your room can make it seem bigger? It’s so true! When light reflects off the walls and ceiling, it generates an open and expansive ambiance. By strategically positioning mirrors, you can further enhance this effect. Mirrors have the ability to reflect light, offering diverse viewpoints and giving the impression of a larger room.
Allow me to provide you with a few additional suggestions on how to create the illusion of a larger room:
- Consider the dimensions of your furniture. Overly large pieces can make the room feel cramped, while small furniture in a compact space can make it appear even more diminutive.
- Ensure that everything in the room is easily visible, and create clear pathways for movement. This will generate a perception of spaciousness. To achieve a clean and minimalist appearance, prioritize simplicity and organization, removing any unnecessary items and adhering to clean lines.
- Lighting also plays a crucial role in creating the illusion of space. Strategically place lights to emphasize certain features and enhance the overall sense of openness. Additionally, don’t overlook the impact of shadows! They can add depth and make the room more captivating.
- Lastly, when choosing furniture, consider opting for glass for example in tables. Their transparency creates the perception of occupying less visual space, contributing to a minimalist aesthetic.
Decision on entering the space
This is an interesting tip for all business owners, such as restaurateurs, hairdressers or clothing salon owners. If a person is about to enter an environment, their perception of that environment from the outside will affect their expectations and their decision about whether to enter it. This judgement is based on what they are able to see of the environment from the outside, so the more visible the inside of the environment is, the easier it will be for the person to make a decision about whether to enter it. Therefore, it is important not only to have a beautiful facade, but also to be able to see from the outside what is inside.
Once inside, take care of ease of movement:
- Clutter is a negative factor which makes it difficult to move through an environment.
- Visible exits as a sense of opportunity for escape. This is because high levels of stress and panic in emergency situations are often caused by a sense of entrapment, so it is important to design an environment with multiple easily visible exits.
- High ceilings have been shown to increase the perceived spaciousness of an area, as have bright colours.
The golden ratio rule
The golden ratio is a mathematical concept, which was discovered in nature and is often applied in aesthetics and design and architecture. The preference for the golden ratio reflects psychological tendencies related to symmetry, balance, and order. It suggests that certain proportions attract the human eye inherently.
Examples of applications in architecture:
- Rectangular Layouts: If you split a rectangle using the golden ratio, you can achieve proportions that are considered pleasing to the eye when it comes to the size and layout of buildings, the dimensions of rooms, or the placement of windows.
- Facade Design: The golden ratio can be applied to determine the arrangement of elements on the façade of a building, resulting in a harmonious and visually appealing outcome.
