Neuroscience, Design, and Emerging Technologies.

Neuroscience, Design, and Emerging Technologies.

I’m Diana Lodi, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Program Coordinator at Flagler College. My teaching and research focus on the intersections of graphic design, neuroscience, and immersive experience, with an emphasis on how design choices shape perception, cognition, and emotion. I bring professional experience as a creative director, combined with academic scholarship, to help students explore design as both an innovative creative practice and a scientific inquiry.

Neuroscience and Design

My research interests explore how the brain processes perception, memory, emotion, and multisensory experiences to inform more effective, human-centered design. By integrating findings from cognitive science with visual communication, UX/UI, branding, package design, and environmental design, I investigate how designers can create work that is intuitive, accessible, and emotionally engaging. This website serves as a living hub to document current and future research initiatives while curating resources, case studies, and teaching materials that connect neuroscience with every aspect of graphic design practice.

Emerging Technologies

In addition to neuroscience-driven inquiry, I am exploring how artificial intelligence can expand the possibilities of design as a practice. Currently, I am experimenting with AI to create web-based applications that merge neuroscience insights with design, testing how AI systems can assist in reshaping digital experiences.

AI is also integrated into my teaching pedagogy, not only as an aid for ideation and prototyping, but also as a framework for critique and reflection. By weaving AI into the curriculum, I aim to prepare designers who can confidently collaborate with emerging technologies while maintaining a critical eye on their ethical, cultural, and human-centered implications.

This dual focus—on neuroscience and AI—anchors my current and future research initiatives, enabling me to investigate how the brain and design systems together inform design decisions that are both empathetic and innovative.

Core Connections

Neuroscience reveals that 90% of decisions are emotional before being rational. The brain doesn’t separate senses—sight, sound, and touch overlap. Designers can harness the power of emotion and immersive experiences to create a more profound and lasting connection with the viewer.

Visual Perception

  • Utilizing how the brain interprets color, contrast, and shape.

  • Understanding the role of the visual cortex in guiding attention.

  • Applying Gestalt principles as cognitive shortcuts.

Attention & Focus

  • Understanding the brain’s limited cognitive load.

  • Referencing eye-tracking studies to show where attention is drawn.

  • Applying hierarchy, whitespace, and motion to guide focus.

Memory & Recall

  • Linking design elements with experiences.

  • Strengthening retention through repetition, storytelling, and visual cues.

  • Creating lasting connections through iconography and metaphors.

Emotion & Decision Making

  • Responding instantly to visuals, influencing trust and desire.

  • Utilizing color, typography, and imagery to shape subconscious reactions.

Multisensory Integration

  • Utilizing AR/VR, haptics, and soundscapes to enhance perception.

  • Designing immersive experiences to activate more neural pathways.

Design Smarter. Form follows Cognition & Function.

Design Smarter. Form follows Cognition & Function.

Learn to integrate Neuroscience into your creative process

References

  • Bridger, D. (2017). Neuro Design: Neuromarketing insights to boost engagement and profitability. Kogan Page.

  • Damasio, A. R. (1994). Descartes’ error: Emotion, reason, and the human brain. Putnam.

  • Koffka, K. (1935). Principles of Gestalt psychology. Harcourt Brace.

  • Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors we live by. University of Chicago Press.

  • LeDoux, J. (1996). The emotional brain: The mysterious underpinnings of emotional life. Simon & Schuster.

  • Livingstone, M. (2002). Vision and art: The biology of seeing. Harry N. Abrams.

  • Paivio, A. (1990). Mental representations: A dual coding approach. Oxford University Press.

  • Shams, L., & Seitz, A. (2008). Benefits of multisensory learning. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 12(11), 411–417.

  • Stein, B. E., & Stanford, T. R. (2008). Multisensory integration: Current issues from the perspective of the single neuron. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(4), 255–266.

  • Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning. Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257–285.

  • Ware, C. (2008). Visual thinking for design. Morgan Kaufmann.

  • Zaltman, G. (2003). How customers think: Essential insights into the mind of the market. Harvard Business Press.