Sensory Arts and Design

Artists, designers and researchers are increasingly seeking new ways to understand and explore the creative and practical significance of the senses. This ground-breaking book brings art and design into the field of sensory studies for the first time, providing a clear introduction to the field and outlining important developments and new directions.

A compelling exploration of both theory and practice, Sensory Arts and Design brings together a wide variety of examples from contemporary art and design which share a sensory dimension in their development or user experience. Divided into three parts, the book examines the design applications of new technology with sensing capacities; the role of the senses in creating new imaginative environments; and the significance of the senses within different cultural practices. The thirteen chapters cover a highly diverse range of issues – from urban landscapes, soundscapes and cities at night, to 'immersive' sensory artworks, multisensory perception in painting, and the relationship between vision and smell.

Written by a team of experts primarily based at the Lancaster Institute for Creative Arts (LICA) – widely recognized as a center of research excellence – this timely book is destined to make a significant contribution to the scholarly development of this emerging field. An important read for students and scholars in sensory studies, design, art, and visual culture.