Design is to invent with intent and sometimes, getting your potential customers to understand the intricacies of design, they need some help and certainly those who have attended a Blum Dynamic Space workshop have taken many tips gleaned at these sessions and applied them in their designs with customers. The Kitchen Stress test shows you some of the benefits that can be learnt during a Dynamic Space workshop and is an excellent way of demonstrating why design, the right application to design, is so important.
The Kitchen Stress Test was designed by registered psychologist, Lisa Walsh and was conducted in November 2012. The participants, Sammy and Bella Jakubiak, were tasked with cooking the same meal, under exactly the same conditions, but in two different kitchens in order to isolate the variables. The test used a range of psychological and physiological measures to monitor responses to stress, including heart rate monitoring and behavioural observations of 10 stress symptoms such as rapid breathing, sweating, irritability, argumentative and confusion. The results were recorded and later analysed to draw conclusions about the impact of the two different kitchen environments on stress levels.
After analysing the results Lisa Walsh concluded that the findings showed Sammy and Bella experienced far less stress in the Blum kitchen. Symptoms of elevated stress identified in the typical Australian kitchen included a 10% higher heart rate, as well as sweating, irritability and dry mouth.
Lisa commented, “The experiment has shown that the design and quality of your kitchen can have a direct impact on your stress levels. While stress can be an inevitable part of modern life, it isn’t always good for us, and what we consider ‘little everyday annoyances’ can build up over time and have a negative impact on our well being. Coming home to a well designed kitchen is one easy way to reduce your stress levels at home.”
To see the video of the full experiment (and the results) go to: http://www.blum.com/au/en/04/30/10/news/news_en/20130215_kitchen_stresstest-au_en/
To register for a Blum Dynamic Space Workshop (highly recommended) call you local Blum Australia office – for details visit www.blum.com.au
