MOUNTAINSCAPE PLAY
Our design entry for Designers Institute of New Zealand and Milliken Floors.
If we can make time to explore creatively we can regulate our emotional state through powerful experiences. To gain balance and calm we need energy, we need play. It loosens the space in our minds otherwise consumed by all our thoughts and the to-dos. Mountainscape embeds play into our spatial environment.
What we understand of Well-being
Well-being is complex. It connects to all aspects of our lives and varies from one to another. We see well-being as something that is a constant pursuit, achieved by stimulating the balance of body and mind. More often this theme is associated with slowing down, out breaths and quiet meditations. Because of this we wanted to explore a contrasting, vibrant and higher energy. And to consider how this lifts moods and makes us smile to create a positive environment. We looked to 'PLAY'.
'PLAY' is typically reserved for children but is also important in adulthood. It's what makes us happy, helps us learn and stimulates parts of the brain otherwise inactivated. Singing loudly, dancing wildly or witnessing the power of mother nature and our insignificance within her mass. If we make time to explore creatively we can regulate our emotional state through powerful experiences.
Nature is also a key influencer of balance and well-being. Within nature's ecosystem, we find lots of textures, colours and movement. High contrast, low contrast, light and dark interplay, there are many shapes and forms within each element. You can view it broadly or focus in on the details, there are so many layers of texture to create such richness. All of these are stimuli for the mind and create a sense of calm and comfort as well as creating aspiring positive feelings that are an integral part of wellbeing. It would be boring to live in a constant state of calm. It is the high energy and low energy phases that allow us to appreciate the other and find connection in each.
As work consumes a significant number of hours in our week, it makes sense this experience impacts our over-all well-being. We wondered how we could visually embed 'PLAY' into our daily life. How could it impart its energy to those it surrounds? Nature, art, movement, colour and texture all express and evoke a mood in us. We combine these to create a more positive environment and ultimately alleviate stress, create greater engagement and better experiences. Essentially improving one's quality of life.
