Personal Experience

Initially when we were told to share and describe a personal experience with the class, I drew blanks.  After some thinking I jotted down 2 places:

1. MacCracken’s – my favorite pub off Marietta Square
2. Cool Beans – my favorite coffeehouse, also off Marietta Square

As luck would have it, I actually visited Cool Beans with my friend on Saturday.  While I was there, I took the time to think about my physical, cognitive, and emotional experience of the space.  Through my physical experience of it, I know what this place looks like through and through.  I am familiar with the artwork for sale on the walls – as much of it has never been sold during the 5 years I’ve walked through its doors!  The artwork has been added to, some have left, but it mostly remains unchanged.  Where I walk in, order, and pick up my drink is second-nature to me now.  The condiment counter has never moved and when it’s missing napkins or straws, I know where to find them or who to ask for more. I also know to always bring headphones with me as it can get rather noisy inside and in the winter, always have a coat on hand!

Admittedly, I struggle to pinpoint my cognitive experience at Cool Beans.  I recognize that it is a place of business, a coffeehouse, located 30 minutes away from where I live now.  I could easily visit the 10+ Starbucks that I pass along the way, but I know that the two are completely different.  I enjoy Starbucks, but it’s not Cool Beans – I will visit Cool Beans just to partake in relaxed, fun atmosphere.

Thirdly, my emotional experience of Cool Beans is a nice one.  It’s a place that I visit and feel connected to.  I know a lot of the customers and employees by name and many will stop and chat with me.  I know tiny stories about them and they of me – I feel a great sense of community, and at times, a sense of ownership.  I feel happy, comfortable, and accepted while I am there.

[Image taken by me]

Filed under: Environment, personal

Phenom-what? Phenomenology?

I confess that when I first read the word “phenomenology” I glazed over a bit.

“Yikes!” I thought,”…that‘s a big word.”

Even after dutifully reading my assignment, I’m sad to say I wasn’t any less confused.  For me, phenomenology started as one of those things that go in one ear and out the other.  Take the definition of phenomenology itself for example:

“Phenomenology is a philosophical doctrine proposed by Edmund Husserl based on the study of human experience in which considerations of objective reality are not taken into account.  It is based on the premise that reality consists of objects and events as they are perceived or understood in human consciousness and not of anything independent of human consciousness.”

See what I’m talking about? That was a lot of information, huh? Maybe you glazed over a little bit, maybe you got confused, or maybe you understood every word.  Phenomenology is a complex subject, especially for someone who’s never seen the word before (like me).  Let’s break it down so we can make sense of it and absorb it.  Hopefully I can grab your attention, because I’ve learned Phenomenology is actually quite interesting!

Phenomenology:

• A phenomenon is an observable event; it is not abstract.  Let’s use my professor’s example of numbers.  Can we observe numbers?  If I have 4 apples sitting on my desk, am I seeing apples? Or am I seeing 4?  No, I am only seeing apples.
• It’s about description more than it’s about explanation
• Epoché – approaching an investigation without preconceived assumptions. Describes the theoretical moment where all judgments about the existence of the external world, and consequently all action in the world, are suspended.
• Phenomenology is concerned with self-identity.

Phenomenlogy is important to interior design because as designers we often assume how people are experiencing, or will experience, a space.  Instead, we should ask our clients questions about their experiences and design with this information in hand.

I feel these videos really shine a light on the topic.  We watched them in class and they worked wonders with helping me wrap my brain around the concept.  Perhaps they will help you, too!

The Phenomenological Perspective (Part 1)

The Phenomenological Perspective (Part 2)

Internet Sources:

Answers.com

Phenomenology Word Net

Wikipedia

You Tube Videos

Additional Sources:

Seamon, D. (1987) Phenomenology and Environment-Behavior Research. In E.H. Zube and G.T. Moore (Eds.) Advances in Environment, Behavior and Design, Volume 1. New York: Plenum.

Filed under: Theory, interior design, Phenomenology