Design Deep Dive: A Design Psychology Podcast

Can virtual environments help us heal anxiety and create a sense of safety amidst uncertainty? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, design psychologist Dr. Suzan Ahmed dives in with Mishleen Marcos, Palestinian interior designer and design instructor, to discuss her innovative research and the power of biophilic design in virtual reality environments to support mental health.
Mishleen Marcos is an interior designer and design instructor who recently completed her master’s degree in Art Therapy at Dar Al-Kalima University. Her work explores the intersection of interior design, virtual reality, music, and emotional wellbeing, with a focus on creating multisensory environments that support healing, presence, and connection.
Mishleen shares her journey from interior design to art therapy, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces that foster healing and connection. We explore biophilic design, the role of music in therapeutic environments, and the potential of virtual reality to create immersive experiences that reduce anxiety and facilitate a state of flow. We also discuss the future of design psychology, advocating for a more human-centered approach that prioritizes personal connection and emotional sustainability.
 
In this episode:
The role of virtual reality and music in creating therapeutic interventions
Emotional (and not just environmental) sustainability as an important component in design
AI and other technology as tools of support
The legacy of design as a reflection of the experiences and feelings it creates for others
 
Connect with Mishleen:
[email protected]
Therapeutic Music by Dr. Nawra Kurzom:
Music for Concentration
The Magic of the Night
Sunrise

 
Connect with Dr. Za:
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠⁠
⁠Book a Design Psychology Consult Call⁠
 
Chapters
 
00:00 Introduction to Design and Healing
04:25 The Journey into Biophilic Design and VR
08:40 Research Findings and Impact on Students
12:32 The Role of Music in Healing Spaces
16:48 Creating Flow States in Design
21:11 The Intersection of AI, Technology, and Human Connection
26:12 AI in Mental Health Support
29:12 The Emotional Connection to Home
31:57 The Future of Design Psychology
37:06 Living in the Moment and Legacy

What can our relationships to home, body, and environment teach us about becoming conscious creators of our lives? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, design psychologist Dr. Suzan Ahmed dives in with Desirée Gonzalez, a Social Psychologist and Designer specialized in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Ecological Psychologies, to discuss the importance of creating restorative environments that promote liberation and social justice, as well as the role of design psychology in fostering a sense of groundedness and embodiment – inside and out.

Desirée is a Social, Economic, and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, a Trauma-Informed Design Practitioner, and a Design Fellow at both the Centre for Conscious Design (the CCD), as well as Design Corps where she is also a Project Manager in Public Interest Design working with Indigenous Architects and Designers.

Desirée shares her unique journey as a designer and social psychologist, as she reflects on her personal connection to place and the significance of viewing the body as a sanctuary and symbol of the unconscious. The conversation explores the empowerment that comes from conscious creation and the responsibility to shape a future that honors both individual and collective identities.
 
In this episode:
 The importance of integrating restorative practices into the built environment.
The symbolism of home, the unconscious, and the body through the lens of depth psychology.
Empowerment in design as particularly significant for women of color.
Conscious creation as a process of also dismantling harmful belief systems.

Connect with Desirée:
Centre for Conscious Design
Reimagining Worlds Without Whiteness Podcast
Indigenous Public Interest Design Institute
Hausense Consultancy
 
Connect with Dr. Za:
Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠
Book a Design Psychology Consult Call
 
Chapters
 
00:00 Introduction to Design and Psychology
03:14 Desirée's Journey into Design
06:07 The Importance of Design Psychology
09:39 Conscious Creation and Personal Reflection
12:38 The Body as Home and Sanctuary
15:41 Empowerment through Design and Identity
18:32 Future of Design Psychology
21:40 Legacy and Honoring the Past

A heartfelt thank you to listeners for a great first season of Design Deep Dive!

In this episode, I discuss what's ahead for the podcast, as well as announcing a brief pause before launching Season 2. Be sure to catch up on Season 1 episodes in the meantime, and stay tuned for more engaging, inspiring conversations!

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Design Deep Dive
01:12 Understanding Design Psychology
02:36 Looking Ahead to Season Two
 
Connect with Dr. Za:
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠⁠
Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: ⁠⁠⁠https://designwithdrza.com/place

Can our past experiences of place influence our present relationship to home? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, I offer a 15-minute guided visualization exercise to connect with a favorite place in childhood or another period of your life.
Through engaging in this reflective practice, you can reveal important aspects of home or place that can support you at your current stage of life. Dive into the magic of your imagination and lived experiences with this simple, yet powerful meditation to clarify your relationship to place.

In this episode:
Guided meditation to connect with a favorite past place
Suggested practices for integrating these insights into your understanding of relationship to place
The reality of home carrying different emotional meanings for different people
The potential for past memories of place to facilitate action towards aligning with a supportive home space

Chapters
00:00 Exploring Design Psychology and Its Importance
04:14 Guided Meditation: Journey to Your Favorite Place
19:41 Reflecting on Your Experience and Next Steps
 
Connect with Dr. Za:
Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠
Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: ⁠⁠https://designwithdrza.com/place

How do we create spaces that reflect our authentic selves, especially during periods of transition in life? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, I chat with June Reese, a creative strategist, experience architect, and designer, about navigating our emotional connections to place, authenticity, and designing spaces that feel true to who we are.
June shares her unique journey as a designer and the process of creating her NAACP-nominated book Iconic Home, celebrating Black designers and providing accessible ways to engage with interior design. We also discuss June’s experience of engaging in the design psychology process, the importance of mentorship and community in the design industry, her evolving professional identity, and the power of creating a home that supports your current phase of life.
In this episode:
Navigating working with design clients and supporting their emotional needs
Embracing one's unique journey and allowing your home to reflect that
The importance of being true to yourself in making design choices
The potential for collaboration between psychologists and designers to enhance our understanding of how we relate to spaces

Connect with June:
Website: ⁠⁠https://junereese.com⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejunereese__⁠⁠
Book: Iconic Home
House of June Interiors
Black Interior Designers, Inc.

Connect with Dr. Za:
Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠
Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: ⁠⁠https://suzan-ahmed.clientsecure.me