Neuroscience for Designers? Sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? Let me explain…a couple of nights ago, my friend June and I were laughing about her experience with me as her decorator. It started with our initial consultation where we discussed her design preferences, blah, blah, blah. Honestly, it was like pulling teeth. When explaining to me what she wanted her language was not very descriptive. It was curt and straight to the point.  She didn’t want to spend a lot of money and wanted something comfortable, but not fussy. UNDERSTOOD. When it came to discussing design styles, even when I showed her pictures, I lost her interest fast. At that point, I think crickets had begun to chirp.

Are you familiar with the “left brain, right brain” theory?  Studies suggests that two different sides of the brain are responsible for different manners of thinking. We all have the ability to use both sides, but our personalities tend to favor one more than the other.
Here’s a little visual:

I’m sure you have categorized me as a “right-brain thinker,” but actually I’m pretty balanced. Well, I am based on the quiz results below.

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life. Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others. Left Brain Dominance: (16) Right Brain Dominance: (16) CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE RIGHT BRAIN/ LEFT BRAIN QUIZ

While my former profession in the Finance/Accounting industry trained me to be a left brain thinker, my creative right brain thinking happens effortlessly. June, on the other hand, is is a self-professed “left-brain thinker.”

On our first shopping trip she accused me of trying to drive her crazy when I asked which vase she liked better. She shoved a check in my hand and almost ran over my foot as she sped out of the parking lot.  Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating just a little.

This story does have a happy ending. She loved the end result and we’re still very good friends, more like sisters. I would love to post her picture, but she’d probably have a fit. She’s already going to fuss about me using her real name, oh well…See below for the before and after. Click here for more photos and details about this project.

 

Do you consider yourself to be a left or right brain thinker? Have you ever had to work with someone who functioned opposite to you?