Multi Sensory Design

"Sensible" design allows us to think about a problemapproach. What did you discover?
from a new perspective and generate more ideas.Car manufacturers understand the power of the
When we're talking about a concept, we think aboutsenses. Eighty-six percent of consumers are
how we want the product to taste, smell, look, feel,attracted to the "new car smell." What most people
and sound. As important, we should think about howdon't know is that the smell is manufactured. New car
we don't want the product to taste, smell, look, feel,smell comes in an aerosol container and is sprayed
and sound.into each car's cabin before it leaves the factory.
By using the tool of sensible design, we are able toWhen Rolls Royce learned that consumers didn't like
extract ideas from each sense, think about thetheir new scent as much as the old, they went to
effects of each sense on the concept, and generatework recreating the "original" smell of the automobile,
ideas that were previously overlooked. Thinking aboutusing the 1965 model as a prototype.
a product, a concept, an idea, or an event from theConsumers have said that sound is another important
perspective of their senses shakes your brain up aaspect of an automobile. In fact, 44% of consumers
little bit.say that the sound of a car is more important than
Try thinking about your problem, product, business,the design. The makers of the Acura TSX have
or service from the perspective of your senses.actually artificially generated the "perfect closing"
What if you were going to start a Cluster Balloonsound of their doors using vibrations generated by
Ride company? This is where you tie a bunch ofelectric impulses in the door.
helium balloons to a harness and fee fly. I have aDo not be afraid to try an unconventional approach
fiend that does exactly that.to your issues. Creativity doesn't require genius, and
What would you want your customers toyour idea doesn't have to be revolutionary. Sensible
experience? What senses do you want to evoke?design allows innovators to take their product to the
Now, tackle your biggest problem with the samenext level and harness the power of the senses.