Intentions to Impressions

“Interior” is influenced by the experience of the place that is to inhibit. Experiences are perceptions of the (material) environment by an individual and can thus be referred to as the ‘intangible characteristics of a material. The choice of materials will largely influence the observer’s experience of a building or room. Within the considerations on experiences, we discern perceptions, associations, and emotions. The perceptive aspects describe a meaning that is attached to the materials in the form of material characteristics. Associative meanings are fed by the associations people make with aspects, objects, or situations they know. Emotive aspects are personal emotional reactions of the user to the material. These reactions differ from person to person and can be influenced by mood, preference, and culture. We designers do not only design for function and use but also these experiences directed by specific intentions.