COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
Transformational Design: How awe changes experience and facilitates prosocial behavior
Creator:
Peterson, Lindsey Michelle
Subject:
Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Graphic Design and Visual Experience
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Graphic Design
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
"This thesis will introduce the power of awe to the discipline of design to facilitate prosocial
behavior. Awe is a universal emotion with a rich history originating from religious practices. The
emotion of awe is experienced when one encounters physical or conceptual immensity. Recent
psychological studies have shown awe’s ability to cultivate humility, empathy, and an outward
shift in perspective. For years, the design industry has proposed the need for empathy and
human understanding. However, these discussions have not yet addressed how designers might
attain this empathetic mindset. In order to create empathetic and genuine experiences for
users, one may argue that designers must first exhibit these qualities themselves. Despite these
empathetic practices being discussed, there remains to be a major deficiency of prosocial
behavior in design. By affirming awe’s ability to generate understanding and collective interest, this thesis looks at
utilizing awe as a resource in design practices to facilitate prosocial behavior."
behavior. Awe is a universal emotion with a rich history originating from religious practices. The
emotion of awe is experienced when one encounters physical or conceptual immensity. Recent
psychological studies have shown awe’s ability to cultivate humility, empathy, and an outward
shift in perspective. For years, the design industry has proposed the need for empathy and
human understanding. However, these discussions have not yet addressed how designers might
attain this empathetic mindset. In order to create empathetic and genuine experiences for
users, one may argue that designers must first exhibit these qualities themselves. Despite these
empathetic practices being discussed, there remains to be a major deficiency of prosocial
behavior in design. By affirming awe’s ability to generate understanding and collective interest, this thesis looks at
utilizing awe as a resource in design practices to facilitate prosocial behavior."
Abstract:
Keywords: awe, design, empathy, prosocial behavior, collective interest, design thinking,
small self, need for accommodation, transcendence, schema
small self, need for accommodation, transcendence, schema
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2019-05
Format:
PDF : 87 pages, color illustrations