Design Dialogues: What Is the Design of Your World Saying to Others?

Design talks to us. And we listen.

The physical environment surrounding us is continually sending us messages, and we value the information we draw from those “conversations” more highly more than we do whatever people tell us in words. Our responses to the signals sent to us by the world indicate that we feel that they’re more true, more accurate, reflections of other people’s opinions, values, goals, etc., than what those other people actually say when they speak.

Silent signals beat out spoken ones every day.

People are very, very interested in getting the message that they are valued and their influence on the success of an organization is respected. That happens, for instance, when a space supports them in their efforts to have a positive influence on a group. Individuals and teams who contribute by doing something that requires concentration, for example, want to be able to focus as they work. When they can’t, it seems that whoever controls their world doesn’t value whatever they think about, and that destroys morale and mood and performance. When a team believes that the organization values their work group (for example, because they’re allocated a team space where they can gather when needed), camaraderie gets a big boost, and people bond tighter to their organization, making it less likely they’ll voluntarily leave it.

Workplace design can communicate respect in other ways: materials that align with employee values (sustainable ones, for example, if that’s important to workers); covered paths from parking lots to employee entrances; healthy snacks and hydration stations; clean, well-maintained offices (particularly bathrooms); etc.

While working, it’s important that people be able to, somehow, sent messages to others about what’s important to them as a person and what they value about themselves. The messages sent out also bounce back to employees, transmitting powerful signals about why they should feel good about themselves, which is good for self-esteem, mood, and performance.

We need to manage those positive thoughts about ourselves in our homes as well, so our mood doesn’t plummet each time we walk through our front door.

Clutter is bad, it stresses us out as few situations can, but we need things around us that say who we are and why our life has value. An environment that’s too stark is just as stressful as one that’s got too much going on visually. Shoot for an interior with about the same number of colors, patterns, decorative items, etc., as a residential space designed by Frank Lloyd Wright—those areas have moderate visual complexity, which is the “sweet spot” for locking in a good mood. When you’re de-cluttering, throw out actual trash, recycle items that have some life left in them but need to leave your life, and carefully curate the items that remain.

Put a few of the nonverbal “messengers” you’ve kept out for all to see (say a couple of smallish items per tabletop or pieces of art on a wall). The rest of the things you’ve saved, items that send messages about you that you value, can go into storage under your bed, in the back of closets, etc.

Recharge your “displays” by rotating fresh items into view every month or so, when you feel like it. When you do make a change, be sure that whatever was previously on tabletops, walls, etc., gets tucked away. Curate the spaces you live and work in, don’t let them just happen.

Curating means that the pinch pots your nephews made for you, the watercolor you purchased on the street in Paris, and the fondue pot you inherited from your Aunt Beth can all remain in your life, reminding you of what’s important and meaningful to you.

People visiting your home and workplace want to learn about you and they feel better when they do. Visitors aren’t really looking for clues about conversations topics, although these sorts of tips are welcome. They’re trying to figure you out as a person, to learn what makes you “tick,” and when they do decipher you, other people know how to act around you and all is well with all who are present.

When guests visit your home, make sure that they feel welcome. Making them feel welcome makes it clear you respect them as a person. Vacuum and dust (at least occasionally). Fix or replace broken things. Remember that not everyone likes the strong potpourri that reminds you of that market in Thailand where you had such a great meal while making a new friend you still email all the time. Make sure that visitors don’t end up sitting in glare by putting up window shades. You get the idea.

Whenever you can, use design to show how much respect you have for other people and yourself. Both you and anyone you’re with will feel better, more relaxed. Well-being will climb. And making the world a better place to spend time is justification enough for spending some time managing messages sent.