Designing a table seems rather simple at first. You think about the functionality of it, and whether it looks the way you imagined it. You may think about the material its made of, and how large or small it will be. You decide whether it will be modern or traditional and what kind of chairs will go with it....or at least that is what I think of. But do you think of the conversation that will be had at the table? Do you think of whether the shape of the table is the most inviting for communication. Do you wonder whether the surrounding environment will invite conversation as well?
In the Personal space blog I learned that people tend to break off into groups of two. If not two, then groups that are usually less than five....even where there are a lot of people around. In fact, when there is not an activity or a formal reason to be meeting, there is pretty much no reason for a communal space. People will not use the space to talk to everyone, but rather to talk to one other person. When I read this I wondered why I had never thought about this, because it is absolutely true. Anytime I am at a place where there are a lot of people, I always make sure I can find one person who I feel comfortable talking to. I never want to be alone, and I definitely do not want to be stuck in a situation where I constantly have to uncomfortably strike a new conversation with a stranger, hoping that they'll be my companion during the awkward-fest. The point is, people want to socialize, but only to a certain degree. They still need their personal space, so that they can size up any and every situation before just barging into another persons life.
Several studies were completed on conversing at different tables, different spaces, and with different types of people. The studies found that people tend to sit side by side when they are sharing something like information, or conversing with someone comfortably. They sit across from one another when they are either competing, and they sit with a space between them when they are working separately.
What I found interesting to my own project is that when people are sitting at a circle, they are more likely to interact with the person opposite them, rather than the persons beside them. This is because eye contact and being able to clearly see a person creates a much more welcoming and inviting situation, and makes that person want to join (Steinzor effect).
Personality, task, and environment are all of the main functions determining how far or close people will arrange themselves. If the situation looks friendly people are more likely to limit the space, however a hostile situation will create more space. I think all of this is relatively obvious, and the main point is that design should take into account the way people interact according to certain situations.
Designers can create seating arrangements that either accommodate interaction or avoid interaction and it is something that people often forget.
Luckily, I think my own dining table/dining environment allows for communication because the multifunctional tables are able to detach and attach into a number of arrangements. While, the tables are faced in a line and in the same direction facing towards the screen, it is supposed to limit conversation, because they are suppose to be speaking instead to the other countries on the screen. Later, when they are meant to socialize, the tables are arranged in a bar like manner where people are both facing eachother and at corners as well- both good for conversation. Finally, when the guests eat, the tables are to be attached into a circle, where conversation will apparently at least be decent.
I think this article definitely makes valid points, and I will want to take it into account before I design anything where communication is a major factor.
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