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New book about neurodesign! DESIGNFULNESS - How brain research is revolutionising the way we live and work
What can brain research teach us about design and architecture? How do we design homes, offices, schools, healthcare clinics and cities in harmony with our basic biological behaviours, emotions, and needs?
The human brain has not changed significantly in tens of thousands of years, but the environment most of us live in today stands in stark contrast to the savannah where our brains once evolved. In her new book Designfulness, Scandinavian author and neurodesigner Isabelle Sjövall summarises scientific research, and gives concrete tips on how we can create environments that strengthen community, enhance recovery, as well as increase focus and creativity.
According to WHO, Mental health conditions are increasing worldwide. Over the past decade, there has been a 13% rise. Including an alarming 20% of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental health condition. These conditions can have a substantial effect on all areas of life, such as school or work performance, relationships with family and friends and ability to participate in the community.
Two of the most common mental health conditions, depression and anxiety, cost the global economy US 1 trillion each year. A new Lancet Commission report on mental health said that mental disorders are on the rise in every country in the world and will cost the global economy US 16 trillion by 2030. The economic cost is primarily due to early onset of mental illness and lost productivity, with an estimated 12 billion working days lost due to mental ill health every year.
- The environment affects our health to the highest degree. Today, many environments make us stressed, unconcentrated and sick, because they are not adapted to how our brain is designed.
- But well-thought-out interiors, architecture and design can activate the brain's internal pharmacy - and promote health, sustainability, and quality of life.
- Design is present in our lives 24/7. If we do not make sure to consciously influence the environments we are in, we will instead be exposed to them, says neurodesigner and author, Isabelle Sjövall.
Through exciting research studies, inspiring illustrations and interviews with experts such as Anjan Chatterjee – a medical doctor, brain researcher and professor of neurology and Sophie Scott – a professor and brain researcher, Isabelle explains how important it is that architecture and design based on how people function biologically - instead of mere taste.
- Thanks to the rapid development of brain research in recent years, we have begun to gain greater insight into why we feel and react as we do. Influences such as colours, shapes, proportions, symmetry, light, sound, tactility, and different types of materials all affect our behaviour. Our preferences, feelings, experiences, and intuition have their origin in our brains and our evolution, Isabelle continues.
Exactly how we will live and work in the future, no one knows. But if we include the knowledge of the brain in architecture and design, the chances increase that more people will be able to live a healthy and sustainable life.
The book is richly illustrated and will reach the international market in September 2021.
From the book
“We can all contribute and together change the world for the better! At the societal level, we have a lot to gain from learning more about modern brain research and starting to apply science in buildings, cities, and furniture design. Then our way of life would probably look different than it does today. We would create smarter solutions, housing, workplaces, schools, hospitals and products that are more sustainable in the long run from a human, economic and ecological perspective.
In this book, I have wanted to share my insights on how the brain is affected by different environments and convey how we can use research and science as important tools to make smarter and more conscious choices, says author and neurodesigner Isabelle Sjövall.”
About the author
Isabelle Sjövall is one of the world’s leading specialists in the field of neurodesign, how our brain reacts to build environments and how these affect us psychologically and physiologically. She is passionate about health-promoting design and architecture based on science. It is her belief that, by using brain research and the right knowledge to make informed choices, we can build a better future and promote health, human sustainability and well-being in our homes, workplaces, schools, hospitals and cities. Isabelle is co-author of the much-discussed book Neurodesign, and has more more than 15 years’ experience of advanced projects in architecture, design and the property industry. She has optimised property with a total sales value of GBP 1,2 billion and sits on several company boards, where her main focus is to promote health and quality of life. Having studied at the Stockholm School of Economics, Accademia Italiana in Florence and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, Isabelle now works tirelessly to spread her knowledge of how informed architecture and design can help create a healthier and more sustainable life for us all.
About the book
195 pages, card cover
Release date: September 2021
ISBN 978-91-986250-5-9
Text: Isabelle Sjövall
Original Title: Designfulness så revolutionerar hjärnforskningen hur vi lever, arbetar och bor
Editor: Bengt Åkesson
Translator: Chris Hall
Publisher: Susanne Hamilton
Graphic Design/Illustrator: Lisa Hoffmann
Printed by: Italgraf Media 2021
About Bokförlaget Langenskiöld
The Alba Langenskiöld Foundation was inaugurated in 1957. The Foundation’s purpose is to support activities that are either religious, charitable, social, political, artistic, athletic, or otherwise cultural or non-profit making, and to promote Swedish business interests.
We present ourselves as a general literary book publisher that operates in the areas of art & culture, history, societal benefits, children, and young people. Sustainable development and the highest quality of text and form are our guiding stars. In 2019, we started audiobook production with the goal that backlist books and new production will be made available in digital form. Susanne Hamilton has been the publishing director since 2007.
We collaborate with several institutions such as the Swedish Academy, The Stockholm Resilience Center and The Royal Academy of Sciences, the Dance Museum, the Thiel Gallery and the National Museum
Please let us know if you’d like any more information about our books, us or authors.
Address: Kindstugatan 16, 111 31 Stockholm, Sweden
Publishing Director/CEO: Susanne Hamilton
susanne.hamilton@langenskiolds.se
Sales and Marketing: Angela Ljungblad
angela.ljungblad@langenskiolds.se
Reader and Editor: Peder Langenskiöld
peder@langenskiold.com
Publishing Assistant: Cornelia Sohl
cornelia.sohl@langenskiold.com
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Förlaget ägs av Alba Langenskiölds Stiftelse vars syfte är att stödja kultur- och samhällsnyttiga projekt i Sverige och utomlands. Förlagschef sedan 2008 är Susanne Hamilton.
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