A design-relevant mindfulness device

This paper delineates the design of a study that aims to describe the development and measure the effects of a design-relevant mindfulness device. The relational nature of design and particularly multidisciplinary collaboration, implies that designers would benefit from the development of interpersonal skills. Science suggests that one of the many benefits of mindfulness is improved interpersonal skills which could reasonably lead to enhanced cooperation disposition. The mindfulness device becomes relevant to design through a process of intra-personal attuning that focuses attention on embedded values which impact awareness. The study aims to determine whether engagement with the device has significant effects on, and noteworthy correlations between aspects of mindfulness and of cooperation. Moreover, the study will generate reflective output that is expected to map designers’ conscious and subconscious values. Thus, the device would be imbued with research support to promote opportunities for the evolution of academic design experiences based on mindfulness, which can foster distinct skills in designers. This paper also explores how developing this skill may transform a designer’s relationship with tacit knowledge arising in intuitive design moments.