People, Places, and Things

The psychology of design: How to create an environment in which you will thrive

Sally Augustin Ph.D.

"Smellscape" Your World and Improve Your Life

When you actively engineer the scent in your home, it can improve your mood. This can help make you more creative and a better problem-solver.

Neuroscience-Based Home Office Design

Working at home? Apply neuroscience to put together an office where you excel.

Give a Placebo a Try

Placebos can work with design just as they can with medicine.

The Power of Self-Managed, Familiar Places

Uncertain times call for certain places.

Taking Charge of Time

Losing track of the flow of time can make us tense. Design can help.

The Benefits of the Color Green

How color can help enhance your space and your mindset.

Conquer the Paint Aisle: Use Science to Choose Your Colors

Are you overwhelmed by the number of paint colors at your home improvement store? Science can help you choose.

Which Smells Do People Prefer?

Particular scents can improve mood and even make us more effective problem-solvers. Learn how to use scents to feel and be your best.

Design Dialogues: What Is the Design of Your World Saying to Others?

Design talks. Are you listening?

How Lighting Choices Can Affect Your Mood

Indoor light can have a powerful effect on the life you lead.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: The Tensions of Traveling Together

Sharing a plane, train, bus, or any sort of vehicle with others can be a challenge. Environmental psychology tells us why and suggests remedies.

Choose the Curvy One, Probably

Considering design options? Carefully weigh the effects of curving and straight lines.

Pandemic-Informed Home Design

Learning from today to live better tomorrow.

Designing for Home Work

You can make your home office work for you and feel better working at home.

How Scents Affect Life Experiences

Smells influence the thoughts you think.

Smart Smart Spaces

Adding smart tech? Be thoughtful, plan carefully.

Time Management

Use design to help with "time blur."

Harnessing the Power of Changing (or Not)

Carefully consider changes you make to where you live and work. Design psychologists have found that too many changes can lead to lots of unhappiness. 

Science-Based Color Selections

Selecting the right surface colors is easier with science.

Designing to Battle Weight Gain

Design can be good for our waistline.

The Power of Images of Nature

Why looking at images of nature can help you feel better.

Keep Walking, Definitely Keep Walking

Lace on your walking shoes. Taking a stroll is good for both your mental and physical health.

Pick a Green, Almost Any Green

Go with a green. You'll be glad you did!

Designing a Conversation Background

What's behind us during electronic conversations matters.

Designing with Differences in Mind

Difference-aware design helps more people live their best lives.

Listen to Nature!

Add a nature soundtrack to your home and/or office to decompress and refresh.

Building With Wood Grain

Visible wood grain makes our lives better.

Curvilinear or Rectilinear: Science-Informed Selections

Science can help you feel good through design.

Indoor Plants a Plus

Indoor plants can help you live the life you've planned.

Lighting Up Your Life

Light indoors can boost your wellbeing, or not.

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