In the emerging field of EPIGENETICS we learn that it’s the signals from the environment that determine expression of our DNA; and as design professionals we must understand that our interior selections and finishes have consequences on anyone who occupies the spaces we design. During this fast paced session, audiences will learn how the body and brain receive, perceive and interact with the physical environment in order to take their 
projects beyond mere aesthetics. Combining easy-to-understand scientific and medical research with real world practicality, Deborah will examine the wavelength properties of sound and light and explain how the body is uniquely designed to receive this information directly from the design elements we provide. With hands-on demonstrations and numerous audience participation exercises, knowledge-based design pros in this fast paced interactive session will learn:
Ø How to understand the interconnection of color, light, and sound from a user-friendly perspective in order to create an interior environment that is physiologically supportive for the human body to thrive.
Ø Examine the connection our bodies have with natural daylight and learn how the newly discovered photo receptor in our eyes will have direct bearing on how we specify lighting and light control in every room of every project including; hospitality, healthcare, contract, education, retail and last but not least residential.
Ø Discover how the brain uses environmental sound and light for key neurological functions as well as a means for providing clues on location, pattern recognition, stress relief, motion detection and many more key elements for a healthy and productive life
Ø Learn how the brain & body receives, perceives, and processes the reflected and inherent energies of various interior surfaces and environmental conditions and translates that into behavior leading to increased sales, performance, stress reduction, and the most important emerging factor in workplace productivity and employee health- sleep!
Ø Review the latest reports, research projects and evidence based studies delving into the study of how interior surfaces, finishes, lighting and overall IEQ affects the human condition and the impact this will have on the future practice of interior design.
Copyright © 2009 Deborah Burnett
This course is approved for health, safety and welfare credits
