How To Unlock Awe in Design

When was the last time you experienced awe? Maybe you witnessed sunrise in a lush setting, gazed up at a glittering expanse of stars in a clear night sky, or saw a tiny human take its first step. Whatever the stimulus, there’s nothing quite like that feeling of awe — the immensity of it, the wonder, the way it takes you by surprise and makes you feel small in the vast scale of the universe. Awe is life-affirming, revelatory, and rare, and it’s become something of an obsession for Upali Nanda, PhD , global sector director of innovation at HKS, Inc.

“Awe creates little earthquakes in the mind,” Nanda says, quoting a scientific paper. “It literally changes our framing with which we see the world.”

What else does the science show? That awe can promote happiness, health, and social interactions, playing a role in how humans get along and work together. In essence, awe is an incredibly potent emotion — and a powerful design opportunity.

At the IIDA Industry Roundtable 27, Nanda, who is also a partner and executive vice president at HKS, shared the simple elements that create awe, how it affects our brains, the challenges that come along with creating awe in the built environment, and why designers should start prioritizing emotion and valuing the immeasurable. 

Want to understand the anatomy of awe and the four steps to create it? Click here to read the full article.

Article by Nneka McGuire .