Abstract
This paper discusses perception of the designed object and how our knowledge impacts on our visual perception of that designed object. It expands on the notion of interpretation both in the context of material culture and in the context of psychology. It explains how the approach to interpretation in both disciplines relies on an active observer/perceiver. The issue of perception of the designed object is approached using the theories of the perceptual psychologist Richard L. Gregory. His work is shown to be especially relevant because there is a degree of commonality between his view of interpretation and that of material culture. The overlap of the two approaches is sufficient to invite a greater exchange between the two disciplines. The conclusion of the paper is that a visual perception transformation occurs when knowledge filters our perception of the designed object. The paper maintains that this transformation of our visual perception of the designed object is a case of perceptual illusion, as coined by Gregory, and that it occurs when knowledge overrides visual perception.
Keywords
Psychological theory building in the design field Visual perception Consumer perceptions Design and branding Cognition/perception
Citation
Büchler, D., and Biggs, M. (2006) The designed object that we know and see, in Friedman, K., Love, T., Côrte-Real, E. and Rust, C. (eds.), Wonderground - DRS International Conference 2006, 1-4 November, Lisbon, Portugal. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2006/researchpapers/79
The designed object that we know and see
This paper discusses perception of the designed object and how our knowledge impacts on our visual perception of that designed object. It expands on the notion of interpretation both in the context of material culture and in the context of psychology. It explains how the approach to interpretation in both disciplines relies on an active observer/perceiver. The issue of perception of the designed object is approached using the theories of the perceptual psychologist Richard L. Gregory. His work is shown to be especially relevant because there is a degree of commonality between his view of interpretation and that of material culture. The overlap of the two approaches is sufficient to invite a greater exchange between the two disciplines. The conclusion of the paper is that a visual perception transformation occurs when knowledge filters our perception of the designed object. The paper maintains that this transformation of our visual perception of the designed object is a case of perceptual illusion, as coined by Gregory, and that it occurs when knowledge overrides visual perception.