On August 20 in a Metropolis article (“Mirrored Finishes Are Staging a Comeback Among Architectural Products;” (https://bit.ly/2IBgTkZ), Kelly Beamon made it “official,” mirrored surfaces seem to be gaining popularity – but they were never far from our hearts.
The subtitle for Beamon’s article makes all clear: “A revival of reflective and metallic finishes distinguishes the latest building materials, from architectural glass to hardware and carpet tile.” In the article itself Beamon reports on a mirrored façade that “recalls exuberant metallic and mirrored finishes popular during the age of disco. Judging from the number of other manufacturers issuing new reflective products, the look is a hit once again.”
Research consistently shows that humans prefer shiny surfaces to matte (as long as they are glare free). We may have this affinity for shiny because in our evolutionary past things we really valued, such as clean water holes, tended to have shiny surfaces; regardless, however, of why we developed our fondness for shiny, we prefer it now. This preference in itself would be a good reason for us to pick shinier surfaces when we can do so without generating glare, because sensory experiences we prefer contribute to boosting our mood and more positive moods make it more likely we’ll think more creatively, problem solve more effectively, and get along better with others, for example.
Seeing ourselves in mirrors also makes it more likely we’ll follow social norms, the rules our society sets to manage its members. Placing mirrored surfaces so that people see themselves as they pass through decontamination zones, would, in this COVID-infused era, make it more likely that passers-through will indeed wash their hands with antiseptic jells, for example. Putting mirrors in trash disposal zones makes it more likely that people will follow rules for separating recyclables, also. Throughout offices, mirrors can encourage neatness, for instance.
A bonus: unhealthy foods we choose for ourselves don’t seem to taste as good when we can see ourselves in a mirror while eating them, so we eat less of these evil comestibles. If company stocked break rooms ever become available again, judicious use of mirrors may help encourage healthier snacking among employees.
Happily, mirrors are “back” – because their use is, in many ways, good for us.
Sally Augustin, PhD, is the editor of Research Design Connections (www.researchdesignconnections.com). Research Design Connections reports on research conducted by social and physical scientists that designers can apply in practice. Insights derived from recent studies are integrated with classic, still relevant findings in concise, powerful articles. Topics covered range from the cognitive, emotional, and physiological implications of sensory and other physical experiences to the alignment of culture, personality, and design, among others. Information, in everyday language, is shared in a monthly subscription newsletter, an archive of thousands of published articles, and a free daily blog. Readers learn about the latest research findings immediately, before they’re available elsewhere. Sally, who is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, is also the author of Place Advantage: Applied Psychology for Interior Architecture (Wiley, 2009) and, with Cindy Coleman, The Designer’s Guide to Doing Research: Applying Knowledge to Inform Design (Wiley, 2012). She is a principal at Design With Science (www.designwithscience.com) and can be reached at sallyaugustin@designwithscience.com.