Multi sensory design

Designers who intentionally try to create specific experiences for people, are more likely to succeed if they are aware of the messages conveyed by the different sensory channels and of their contribution to the overall experience. This paper describes a Multi Sensory Design approach in eight steps: selecting the target expression, conceptual exploration, sensory exploration, sensory analysis, mind map, user-interaction scenario, model making, and multisensory presentation. The MSD approach is unique in that perceptual knowledge obtained through explorations in all sensory modalities is explicitly incorporated in the design process. The ultimate design challenge is to develop a product that provides users with an interesting, rich experience, and nonetheless is perceived as a coherent whole.