How can visitor experiences be improved? Sandbox FOMO5 2, from Ep.08

From the way spaces guide your movement to the thoughtful details that make visitors return time and again, venue design is a powerful tool for creating unforgettable experiences.  In this week’s Sandbox FOMO 5, we discuss the psychology behind creating memorable spaces and the subtle design choices that enhance visitor satisfaction.  The ‘science’ and psychology behind venue design is key in enhancing visitor experiences. This topic, and more, was discussed by our panel in our most recent ‘Sandbox’ episode, ‘Echoes and flow: The science behind memorable venues.’  Stand-up comedian, Alistair Barrie, discussed how seating arrangement can create a ‘holistic experience between the audience’ when it comes to comedy shows, saying, “...if your shoulder is touching the shoulder of someone next to you and a laugh starts...the laughter goes around the room because it’s infectious.”  Dr Becky Hayward also discussed the importance of navigation and wayfinding in creating an ‘exploratory experience.’  Becky said: “What we try to do is look at how people move through a new space. Psychology is influencing how you move through the space at all levels.   “So, whether or not you decide to go to the museum or the theatre in the first place might be influenced by your own motivations or what you've read online and so on or what the content is there. And then when you arrive there, there's many different factors that influence your experience and your decision making as you go around.”  Joining our regular host Andy Duncan, in this episode, are Buro Happold experts Christine Lowry, Partner, and Dr. Becky Hayward, Associate Director. Our special guest in this episode is Alistair Barrie, comedian and actor. Alistair performs at major events including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (where he has been nominated twice for best show), and Glastonbury. You can also find him regularly on the BBC, Times Radio and a wide range of podcasts.   Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.     This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).