dwelling + design: exploring the potential for dwelling to inform media design with the installation dark; and the light

The theory of dwelling is a valuable topic for media designers to explore in order to further our understanding of the connection individuals make with designs. This research suggests that to promote dwelling successfully, digital design must prompt people to understand it in essence and balance, must encourage private or communal reflection and development, and must encourage people to connect meaningfully with the design; this manifests by people caring for it and being conscious of it. dwelling + design explores the theory of dwelling as research through design and research for design; through the interactive installation dark; and the light. Dwelling is discussed with reference to three main philosophers; Martin Heidegger, Christian Norberg-Schulz, and Pavlos Lefas. As a wider investigation of how dwelling can inform design practice, the theory is also investigated both as an informative theory for creative practice and an attitude that can be embraced by people when receiving or encountering creativity. dwelling + design finds that dwelling is valuable to designers as an attitude towards the design process, but has limited success as an informer of aesthetics or as an intended experience for participants.