Multi-sensorial perception.
The purpose of design is to broaden the channels of sensation and communication to experience our realities more holistically, and to make us more receptive to the various sensual experiences.
While we live in a world that has 'virtual spaces' which are only based on sight and sound we need to make sure that we do not lose 'touch' with our realities.
Synesthesia teaches us that reality has no particular form, but does have content that can be experienced in many different ways.
Multi-sensorial awareness has been lost from the consciousness of many people. Synesthetes are consciously aware of their transmodal perceptions.
What are the possibilities of multisensorial perception in design - to give people the gift of synesthesia.
What is Synesthesia ?
In his publication, "Synesthesia: A Union of the Senses", the American neurologist Richard E. Cytowic states his definition of synesthesia:
"The word synesthesia means common sensations. To begin with, perception is not a linear process. Information is not only being processed into the brain, but rather into the entire body as a whole. It is a sort of trunk, of radix, in which all sensations originate... It is the very seed that spawns sensations."
In other words, the stimulation of one sense leads to perceptions in at least one other sense. Some synesthetes experience individual words in particular colours. Others experience smells when exposed to shapes or hear sounds inside tastes.
Synesthetes are usually glad to have the ability, and it sharply improves their memory -- research into synesthesia is teaching scientists important lessons about the normal brain, perhaps even about aspects of creativity.
How does inner multi-sensorial perception influence the outer shape?
Your personal space is an expression of your identity; it is the personal interpretation of living. What do the space and living environment for synesthetic people mean? Is the interaction of senses relevant for the perception of visual shapes? How do smell, taste and sound influence formgebung /design?
As yet, research mostly has been two dimensional. Synesthetic people often paint their three dimensional visions. But what can be learned about space while there is a difference between the written, the spoken and the three dimensional representation of the word 'table'? What happens in the kitchen where the senses melt together? What is the sound of a pan like?
With the witnesses of several synesthetic and non-synesthetic volunteers I explored the perception of frying, stories, associations, sounds, tastes and feelings. The research resulted in a series of different customised pans with, what I would call, alienating and surreal features. Not the products’ use is changed, but its common characteristic. The action of frying will be irritated by a slight change in the attributes of the product.
Each pan invites you to interact with your food in different ways:
1. "biting smell" - a sharp edged pan to chop your vegetables
2. "read the meat" - a middle sized pan with engraved appetizing text*
* Kidneys were in his mind as he moved about the kitchen softly, righting her breakfast things on the humpy tray. Gelid light and air were in the kitchen but out of doors gentle summer morning everywhere. "Made him feel a bit peckish"
Taken from "Ulysses" by James Joyce
3. "closer touch" a pan inbetween protection and cozyness
4. " tickling hairs" two connected gloves, to substitute the pans’ missing handles. It provides a closer contact with the heat and food. The inside will evoke a special tactile sensation.

Kathi Stertzig, Eindhoven 2004

collaboration:
Croli, Anna, Christine, Sonja (research and synesthetic inspiration)

bibliography:
[1] Richard E. Cytowic, M.D. "The Man Who Tasted Shapes", MIT Press, 1998.
[2] Emrich, Schneider,Zedler “Welche Farbe hat der Montag” , Hirzel Verlag, 2002
[3] Richard E. Cytowic, M.D. "Synesthesia: Phenomenology and Neuropsychology", PSYCHE, an interdisciplinary journal of research on consciousness, July 1995.

web:
www.sinnich.de
http://cytowic.net/