Thesis (BTech (Surface Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / The purpose of this research is to generate a social outreach project by raising funds as well as getting sponsors to enhance the living environment at an institution for deaf girls. The focus is on Huis Soekie, a hostel which accommodates 17 deaf girls between the ages of 11 and 15. It is one of eight hostels situated at the De La Bat School for the Deaf in the rural town of Worcester. Frank Vodvarka and Joice Manice Malnar's work about Multi-Sensory design was used as inspiration to establish creative ways in which to enhance the living environment of institutionalized deaf girls. The living room of the hostel was chosen as focus area, since interaction among deaf people is important and the girls spend most of their time in it. To contribute to a more relaxing environment in this living room, secondary research was done on how nature together with the correct choice of colours can have a positive effect on humans' emotions. The living area of the hostel therefore has a central narrative and theme portraying nature as inspiration. All of the products that were designed for this space also incorporate elements of multi-sensory design. This type of design should be beneficial to the Deaf, because their other four senses are better developed than those of able people. This should also enhance their experience of the products.

När man tänker på design och kanske framförallt grafisk design, samt med vilket av våra fem sinnen som vi människor främst upplever detta med, så är det förmodligen synen som man tänker på i första hand. De övriga fyra sinnena hamnar i skymundan och aktiveras inte i samma utsträckning som synen gör och de förblir passiva i vår interaktion med grafisk design. Men hur skulle upplevelsen av design förändras om man formger för fler sinnen än ett? Att inkludera och ta hänsyn till fler sinnen än synen när man designar öppnar även upp för ett mer inkluderande samhälle för dem människor som saknar full kapacitet av synen eller något av de övriga fyra sinnena oavsett om det är ett permanent eller temporärt tillstånd man befinner sig i. Med detta projekt ämnar jag att utforska vad sinnesdesign kan göra för vår upplevelse av design samt belysa de eventuella möjligheter som kan komma med den här typen av design där man designar med fler sinnen i åtanke. / When thinking about design, and perhaps graphic design in particular, and which of our five senses that we as human beings experience design with, most of us are likely to think about sight first hand. The other four senses tend to be forgotten or not taken into consideration and remain passive in our interaction with graphic design. How might the inclusion of more than one of these senses change, or perhaps even enhance the experience of design? To take more than one sense into consideration while designing could also create a more inclusive society for people that lack full capacity of their vision or any of the other four senses whether it be a permanent or temporary condition.  This project aims to explore what sensory design does to our experience of graphic design. It highlights the opportunities that could come with sensory design and designing with more senses in mind.

Within dementia care, there is a need to facilitate appropriate sensory experiences and opportunities for meaningful engagement for people living with dementia, particularly in later stages. As such, the provision of multisensory environments designed to meet the needs of these individuals and offering suitable occupation and stimulation, have increasingly gained significance. In this context, this paper explores the meaning of experience-focused, sensory design and the importance of appropriate sensory stimulation for wellbeing. It refers to recent interdisciplinary research in this area and a new guide advising on design of sensory enhanced spaces in residential dementia care. The primary focus of the paper is a case study showcasing the implementation of sensory design, based on these guidelines. The case study reports on the co-creation of a sensory, experience-focused space for residents with dementia in a London care-home. Based on this example, the paper highlights the value and impact of appropriate sensory design on the wellbeing of people with dementia and their carers. The conclusion discusses the learning and knowledge gained from this process as well as perspectives on further research activities including the analysis of user feedback and evaluation of the design intervention.