Experiential Design
The term experiential design has become more popular than ever, but many people are still confused about what it actually means. It is a form of design that centers around the human experience and the principles that support innovation and creativity.
Experiential Design focuses on the interactions that people have with spaces, and it is often used in retail stores, museums, theme parks, restaurants and other branded environments. It has also been used in healthcare settings, civic and public place-making projects and educational facilities. It is also becoming more common in office settings to support employee wellness and collaboration.
While experiential design can be applied to virtually any space, it is most effective in spaces that are designed to inspire an emotional connection with the occupants. Whether it’s a store, an event or an entire building, the key to success is understanding the needs of the occupants and creating a space that meets those needs.
How Does Experiential Design Support Innovation and Creativity?
When creating an experience, it’s important to keep in mind the four principles of experiential design: Engagement, Simplicity, Impact and Recognition. The first principle, engagement, is all about encouraging your audience to interact with the exhibit or experience in a way that enables them to learn more and understand your message. It is also crucial that your design is simple, so viewers can easily understand the messaging and brand. Finally, the impact of your experience is what will ultimately set it apart from others and make it memorable for your audience.
To ensure your experience has a positive impact, it’s important to develop a clear content strategy from the beginning. White recommends creating a “compelling narrative” that aligns with the overall goals of your project. Then, you can develop a concept that will help you achieve that goal.
Once you have a clear concept in mind, it’s time to start designing. Start by doing an onsite discovery to explore your space and determine the best location for your experience. Once you have a general idea of where to place your design, measure the area to establish parameters for the size and placement. Finally, determine a recognition strategy so your display can be instantly recognizable to your audience.
In the end, experiential design is all about helping people feel connected to a brand and to each other. When done well, this can result in more engaged employees, more satisfied customers and a higher level of brand loyalty.
To learn more about experiential design, we encourage you to check out these examples from AKJOHNSTON Group: The post How Does Experiential Design Support Innovation and Creativity? appeared first on Insight Marketing Services. For over 20 years, AKJOHNSTON has partnered with leading brands to create innovative, award-winning marketing experiences that drive results. We are a full-service creative agency that delivers brand strategies, identity systems, content creation, print & digital production, project management and strategic consulting. Contact us today to get started.