1. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Expectation and Visual Stimuli
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

2. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Hypothesis:
This thesis presents the hypothesis that
unanticipated visual stimuli in public spaces may
increase engagement and communication.
Public spaces are filled with barrage of information
that sometimes our minds cannot fully process it all.
High level of perceptual load is significantly affected
by expectation, and without a surprise factor, the
brain could easily edit information out once primary
expectation is fulfilled.
Such hypothesis could open a new channel for
increasing engagement against the desensitization
due to information overload.
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

3. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Perceptual Research:
“The mind is not a camera”
- Stephen Kosslyn, Psychologist
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

4. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Looking but not Seeing
“One conclusion of the inattentional
blindness work has been that we see far
less of our world than we think we do.”
- Daniel J. Simons, Head of Visual Cognition Laboratory
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

5. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

6. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Dazzle Camouflage
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

7. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

8. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Engagement 1950-70s:
The Depth Approach
“Manipulating consumers beneath their
level of awareness in the patterns of
their everyday lives to affect their daily
act of consumption.”
- Vance Packard, “The Hidden Persuaders”
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

9. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

10. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Public Space:
The design of space carries power: the configuration of the
built environment (space) influences human interactions.
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

11. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The Gates, Central Park
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

12. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Conclusion:
• We see far less of the world than
we think we do
• Expectation is an important factor
in determining level of engagement
• Public environment is an active
space of communication
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

13. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Possible Project Ideas:
• Visual imagery in unexpected spac-
es in the city (damages)
• Public advertisements
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space

14. Expectation and Visual Stimuli E Hwan Eileen Park
Thank You
Hypothesis Perceptual Research Engagement Public Space