DESIGN RESEARCH METHODOLOGY : RESEARCH REFLECTION REPORT & RECORDED PRESENTATION

Felice Lee (0381272)
Design Research Methodology
Specialization: Entertainment design
Lecturer: Mr. Mohd Asrizal

PDF REPORT

Reflection

Experience
Throughout this study, the process of exploring how color and lighting influence emotional perception in visual design has been both intellectually engaging and personally enriching. Conducting the research through a survey-based quantitative visual analysis allowed for a structured yet flexible approach to understanding emotional responses. Selecting concept artworks with varied color palettes and lighting conditions required careful consideration, as each visual needed to clearly demonstrate differences in mood, atmosphere, and emotional tone. Designing the survey and organizing emotional rating scales also strengthened my understanding of how emotions can be translated into measurable data. This experience highlighted the challenge of balancing subjective emotional interpretation with objective research methods, particularly in a creative field such as concept art and visual storytelling.

Additionally, engaging with participant responses provided valuable insight into how viewers interpret visual elements differently based on their background and experiences. Since many respondents were students with varying levels of art exposure, the process emphasized the importance of accessibility in visual design. Overall, this research experience deepened my appreciation for how design decisions are not only aesthetic choices but also powerful emotional tools that influence perception, immersion, and storytelling.

Observations
One of the most notable observations from the study was the consistency in emotional responses to specific colors. Participants frequently associated cooler colors such as blue and green with calmness and relaxation, while warmer colors like red and yellow were linked to excitement, energy, and happiness. These patterns appeared repeatedly across different artworks, suggesting that color associations are deeply ingrained and widely shared among viewers. Purple, however, elicited more varied responses, often linked to mystery or thoughtfulness, indicating that some colors may carry more complex or abstract emotional meanings.

Lighting intensity also revealed clear trends. Low lighting was commonly perceived as calming or intimate, whereas high lighting was associated with energy, drama, and heightened emotional tension. Medium lighting tended to be described as balanced or neutral, supporting its use in scenes that require clarity without strong emotional extremes. Another important observation was how lighting guided visual attention. Participants often focused on areas with higher contrast or stronger illumination, showing that lighting plays a crucial role in directing viewer focus within a composition.

Furthermore, when color and lighting were combined effectively, participants reported stronger emotional engagement and better understanding of the artwork’s mood or narrative. This reinforced the idea that emotional impact in visual design is rarely achieved through a single element but through the interaction of multiple visual components.

Findings
The findings of this study confirm that color and lighting are essential elements in shaping emotional perception, atmosphere, and storytelling in visual design. The data supports existing color psychology theories, demonstrating that specific colors consistently evoke predictable emotional responses. More importantly, the study reveals that lighting intensity significantly enhances or alters these emotional effects, functioning as both an atmospheric and narrative device.

One key finding is that the integration of color and lighting produces a stronger emotional response than using either element independently. Participants overwhelmingly agreed that artworks felt more immersive, emotionally impactful, and visually realistic when these elements were thoughtfully combined. This highlights the importance of holistic visual planning in concept art and entertainment design, where emotional storytelling is a primary goal.

However, the findings also suggest limitations. Since the participants were mainly young adults and students, the results may reflect the perceptions of a visually literate and design-aware audience. Emotional responses could differ across age groups, cultural backgrounds, or professional experiences. Despite this limitation, the study provides valuable insights into how fundamental visual principles influence emotional engagement.

In conclusion, this research reinforces the idea that color and lighting are not merely decorative aspects of visual design but powerful tools for emotional communication. The experience, observations, and findings collectively contribute to a deeper understanding of how visual elements shape audience perception, supporting their critical role in creating meaningful and immersive visual experiences.

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