A New Year, A New Direction

As we begin a new year, I have decided the time has come to broaden my horizons. For the past couple of years, I have focused solely on the medical and health sectors. Now, I wish to explore design in various forms: architectural, spatial, industrial, product, and interior design. These areas have piqued my interest, especially regarding how design can impact health and well-being. 

To kickstart my quest to diversify, I spoke to Neil Wilson, an award-winning lighting, workplace furniture and acoustic designer, and Founder of ‘ECHOKIT’ based in Newcastle upon Tyne, specialists in the design and production of nature-inspired acoustic installations and fixtures, about his career background and most recent, creative project ‘SOUND FLOWER’. In a nutshell, the installation entails a flower-inspired lighting and sound solution that transforms workplaces and classrooms for neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals. Despite neurodivergence being the main target market, while talking with Neil, it was evident that SOUND FLOWER will be of benefit to everyone – providing an innovative lighting and sound solution, addressing two of the greatest environmental stressors within workplaces and educational settings: artificial and harsh lighting and background noise, which can prove distracting. 

 

 

SOUND FLOWER incorporates biophilic design, adjustable lighting (both in terms of brightness and colour), while the petal-like fins assist in diffusing and dampening sound. These features enable enhanced focus and productivity, providing a sense of calm, improved well-being, and inclusivity in environments which are prone to being unsupportive for neurodivergent individuals. In terms of the composition of SOUND FLOWER, it is manufactured in the UK, with the shade being composed of 75% recycled materials, factors which illustrate ECHOKIT’s emphasis on sustainability. From a design perspective, the flower-inspired, organic form offers a bold design, well-suited to a wide variety of environments, from workplaces, university campuses, classrooms, and public spaces such as libraries and cafés. Another feature offered with the SOUND FLOWER pendant includes a tablet, pre-loaded with an App (ECHOBLOOM), enabling users total control over the lighting, both colour and brightness. With the light comprising full adaptability, mental wellbeing, productivity, focus and mood regulation are all supported, while sensory overload is reduced, leading to environments that enable people to flourish, particularly in the workplace and educational settings. 

 

 

In terms of studies to put SOUND FLOWER to the test, a focus group study conducted by Dr Fiona Gullon-Scott, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Newcastle University, set out to explore the benefits of SOUND FLOWER on a group of neurodivergent students. The investigation consisted of each student spending time working in a room with the SOUND FLOWER light installed, with their experiences being documented. The prototype has received overwhelmingly positive feedback when trialled, and Neil Wilson plans to continue working in collaboration with Newcastle University, with the aim of developing a research project exploring how SOUND FLOWER can support both productivity and mental health for people with neurodivergence. 

 

 

With reference to how design can impact neurodivergent individuals (and non-neurodiverse), there have been many studies conducted and articles published on the subject, particularly around workplace design. However, to keep this post succinct, I won’t refer to a wide variety of studies, but instead give a condensed overview. A guest post published by the OP Group on The Brain Charity website illustrated the various factors that need to be taken into consideration when designing inclusive workplaces: from flexible, zoned workspaces which offer specific areas to support varying neurological needs, such as ‘focus zones’ which are quiet through the use of acoustic materials/features and adjustable lighting, or ‘wellness spaces’, areas designed for breaks and symptom management for neurodiverse individuals. Offering environmental control in the form of adjustable lighting, noise reduction not only increases levels of comfort but also allows for symptom management, which in turn results in enhanced performance within the workplace. 

 

 

From a biophilic perspective, there are numerous design principles which fall under the umbrella term, from natural elements in the form of: incorporating plants, natural lighting and materials which, as a collective, bring “more of the outdoors, inside”. According to Ambit and the article ‘Wellbeing in Design’, design itself can impact both physical and mental health, for example, aesthetics, ergonomics, functionality, and sustainability, merging design and health. In terms of biophilic lighting fixtures, additional benefits include improved well-being, increased creativity and decreased stress, which complement the other positive effects of adjustable lighting mentioned in the previous paragraph. Other physiological benefits of biophilic lighting (which also include those who are non-neurodiverse) consist of circadian rhythm regulation, positively impacting sleep quality and overall health. Such effects are also a result of dynamic lighting control, as seen in the features of SOUND FLOWER. Further information can be found on the Lumen Loop website, regarding biophilic lighting and smart design for offices. 

 

 

To conclude this post, I’d like to thank Neil Wilson for his time, giving such a comprehensive and interesting insight into his professional background and SOUND FLOWER and wish him all the best with the project and future endeavours. Also, many thanks to Anys Williams at Anita Morris Associates (now known as ‘Animo PR‘) for informing me of Neil Wilson and his work, in addition to arranging the meeting. 

N.B. All images in this post are protected by Copyright. I have been given permission to use imagery for the purpose of this article.