I am still trying to clarify how I can study mindfulness and communication design together. My question remains: How can communication design be used as a tool to facilitate well-being through mindfulness? Much too broad—simply because the how is still the unknown variable. This week I seek clarity regarding the how so I can move forward.
While most of my research up to this point has been focused on mindful graphic design, I find myself wondering what other design research is focused specifically on promoting well-being. Perhaps if I explore how others have studied design+well-being, I might discover a framework/method to inspire my own research?
Social Cognitive Theory
A conceptual framework to understand the role mass media plays in society. Studies how symbolic communication influences human thought, affect and action. AGENTIC: 1) Social cognition theory perspective that views people as self-organizing, proactive, self-reflecting and self-regulating, not just as reactive organisms shaped by environmental forces or driven by inner impulses. 2) The capacity for human beings to make choices in the world (Bandura).
The four major subfunctions governing observational learning and the influential factors operating within each subfunction.
- Attentional—Determines what is selectively observed.
- Retention—People cannot be much influenced by observed events if they do not symbolically code and remember them.
- Production—How cognition is translated into action.
- Motivational—People do not perform everything they learn. Motivation plays a role in whether or not the behavior will take form.
Insight: “People are reluctant to adopt new practices that involve cost and risks until they see the advantages that have been gained by early adopters (Bandura).” How does this apply to my research? While practicing the behavior of mindfulness has little risk, it has the cost of time. People will want to see the advantages that have been gained by others.
Source: Bandura, Albert. “Social cognitive theory of mass communication.” Media psychology 3.3 (2001): 265-299. http://www.uky.edu/~eushe2/Bandura/Bandura2001.pdf
Designing for Clarity
Insight: Another idea I came across today was in reference to what makes Google so successful. When we say less is more—we do not necessarily need to make something simple—we just need to remove distraction/obstacles from the desired goal. Less noise… be it fewer colors, typefaces, complexity, etc. This does not always mean minimalism. It means clarity. How does this apply to my research? I think researching mindful design will definitely revolve around a removal of distraction, and a clarity of focus.
Sources: http://www.markboulton.co.uk/journal/when-less-is-more
http://theelearningcoach.com/learning/visual-clarity-and-learning/