Design Deep Dive: A Design Psychology Podcast

Dr. Suzan Ahmed, Ph.D.
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Design Deep Dive, with psychologist Dr. Suzan Ahmed (Dr. Za), explores how we relate to our environments + place, from our homes to our hometowns, from the built environment to our planet. By deeply understanding our relationship to place, we can create a more conscious relationship to these spaces + the world around us. Each episode, Dr. Za interviews guests to discuss topics across the spectrum of design + psychology, as well as share my own experiences with place. When we can awaken to our relationship to place, we can work towards designing a more inclusive, safe, and just world.

Episodes

  1. FEB 6

    11. The Psychology of Aesthetics with Dr. Jan Mikuni

    How do aesthetics play a role in our mental health and emotional wellbeing? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, I chat with Dr. Jan Mikuni, a researcher in the psychology of art and aesthetics, about the intricate relationship between aesthetics, psychology, and design. Jan’s work explores aesthetic experiences in everyday life—ranging from encounters with artwork and museum exhibitions to interactions with urban environments—and how these experiences shape human perception, emotion, and behavior. Her core interest lies not only in understanding the nature and quality of aesthetic experiences, but also in examining their broader societal impact. Jan shares her journey into the field of aesthetic psychology, discussing how environments and design influence human perception, emotion, and behavior. We explore concepts such as museum fatigue, the importance of aesthetics in wellbeing, and the psychological implications of our relationship with place. We also discuss the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the understanding and application of aesthetic principles in design, with the aim of improving individual and societal wellbeing. In this episode: Aesthetics as a psychological process, not just about beautyUnderstanding our relationship to place is essential for our mental healthDesign as a tool for self-reflection and emotion regulationThe importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in enhancing the fields of design and psychology Connect with Jan: Website: https://jan-mikuni.com/en/ Empirical Visual Aesthetics (EVA) Lab   Connect with Dr. Za: Website: www.designwithdrza.com Email: suzan@designwithdrza.com Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Book a Design Psychology Consult Call⁠

    44 min

  2. 12/05/2025

    10. Design, Music, and Flow: The Future of Healing Spaces with Mishleen Marcos

    Can virtual environments help us heal anxiety and create a sense of safety amidst uncertainty? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, design psychologist Dr. Suzan Ahmed dives in with Mishleen Marcos, Palestinian interior designer and design instructor, to discuss her innovative research and the power of biophilic design in virtual reality environments to support mental health. Mishleen Marcos is an interior designer and design instructor who recently completed her master’s degree in Art Therapy at Dar Al-Kalima University. Her work explores the intersection of interior design, virtual reality, music, and emotional wellbeing, with a focus on creating multisensory environments that support healing, presence, and connection. Mishleen shares her journey from interior design to art therapy, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces that foster healing and connection. We explore biophilic design, the role of music in therapeutic environments, and the potential of virtual reality to create immersive experiences that reduce anxiety and facilitate a state of flow. We also discuss the future of design psychology, advocating for a more human-centered approach that prioritizes personal connection and emotional sustainability.   In this episode: The role of virtual reality and music in creating therapeutic interventionsEmotional (and not just environmental) sustainability as an important component in designAI and other technology as tools of support The legacy of design as a reflection of the experiences and feelings it creates for others  Connect with Mishleen: mishleenmorcus@gmail.com Therapeutic Music by Dr. Nawra Kurzom: Music for Concentration The Magic of the Night Sunrise   Connect with Dr. Za: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Book a Design Psychology Consult Call⁠   Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Design and Healing 04:25 The Journey into Biophilic Design and VR 08:40 Research Findings and Impact on Students 12:32 The Role of Music in Healing Spaces 16:48 Creating Flow States in Design 21:11 The Intersection of AI, Technology, and Human Connection 26:12 AI in Mental Health Support 29:12 The Emotional Connection to Home 31:57 The Future of Design Psychology 37:06 Living in the Moment and Legacy

    41 min

  3. 11/07/2025

    9. From Depth Psychology to Restorative Design with Desirée Gonzalez, M.A., SEED AP

    What can our relationships to home, body, and environment teach us about becoming conscious creators of our lives? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, design psychologist Dr. Suzan Ahmed dives in with Desirée Gonzalez, a Social Psychologist and Designer specialized in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Ecological Psychologies, to discuss the importance of creating restorative environments that promote liberation and social justice, as well as the role of design psychology in fostering a sense of groundedness and embodiment – inside and out. Desirée is a Social, Economic, and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, a Trauma-Informed Design Practitioner, and a Design Fellow at both the Centre for Conscious Design (the CCD), as well as Design Corps where she is also a Project Manager in Public Interest Design working with Indigenous Architects and Designers. Desirée shares her unique journey as a designer and social psychologist, as she reflects on her personal connection to place and the significance of viewing the body as a sanctuary and symbol of the unconscious. The conversation explores the empowerment that comes from conscious creation and the responsibility to shape a future that honors both individual and collective identities.   In this episode:  The importance of integrating restorative practices into the built environment.The symbolism of home, the unconscious, and the body through the lens of depth psychology.Empowerment in design as particularly significant for women of color.Conscious creation as a process of also dismantling harmful belief systems. Connect with Desirée: Centre for Conscious Design Reimagining Worlds Without Whiteness Podcast Indigenous Public Interest Design Institute Hausense Consultancy   Connect with Dr. Za: Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠ Book a Design Psychology Consult Call   Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Design and Psychology 03:14 Desirée's Journey into Design 06:07 The Importance of Design Psychology 09:39 Conscious Creation and Personal Reflection 12:38 The Body as Home and Sanctuary 15:41 Empowerment through Design and Identity 18:32 Future of Design Psychology 21:40 Legacy and Honoring the Past

    36 min

  4. 08/01/2025

    8. Season 1 Finale and Sneak Peek at Season 2

    A heartfelt thank you to listeners for a great first season of Design Deep Dive! In this episode, I discuss what's ahead for the podcast, as well as announcing a brief pause before launching Season 2. Be sure to catch up on Season 1 episodes in the meantime, and stay tuned for more engaging, inspiring conversations! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Design Deep Dive 01:12 Understanding Design Psychology 02:36 Looking Ahead to Season Two   Connect with Dr. Za: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠⁠ Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: ⁠⁠⁠https://designwithdrza.com/place

    4 min

  5. 07/05/2025

    7. Journey to A Favorite Place: A Guided Meditation

    Can our past experiences of place influence our present relationship to home? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, I offer a 15-minute guided visualization exercise to connect with a favorite place in childhood or another period of your life. Through engaging in this reflective practice, you can reveal important aspects of home or place that can support you at your current stage of life. Dive into the magic of your imagination and lived experiences with this simple, yet powerful meditation to clarify your relationship to place. In this episode: Guided meditation to connect with a favorite past placeSuggested practices for integrating these insights into your understanding of relationship to placeThe reality of home carrying different emotional meanings for different peopleThe potential for past memories of place to facilitate action towards aligning with a supportive home space Chapters 00:00 Exploring Design Psychology and Its Importance 04:14 Guided Meditation: Journey to Your Favorite Place 19:41 Reflecting on Your Experience and Next Steps   Connect with Dr. Za: Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠ Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: ⁠⁠https://designwithdrza.com/place

    22 min

  6. 06/06/2025

    6. Creating Authentic Spaces with June Reese

    How do we create spaces that reflect our authentic selves, especially during periods of transition in life? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, I chat with June Reese, a creative strategist, experience architect, and designer, about navigating our emotional connections to place, authenticity, and designing spaces that feel true to who we are. June shares her unique journey as a designer and the process of creating her NAACP-nominated book Iconic Home, celebrating Black designers and providing accessible ways to engage with interior design. We also discuss June’s experience of engaging in the design psychology process, the importance of mentorship and community in the design industry, her evolving professional identity, and the power of creating a home that supports your current phase of life. In this episode: Navigating working with design clients and supporting their emotional needsEmbracing one's unique journey and allowing your home to reflect thatThe importance of being true to yourself in making design choicesThe potential for collaboration between psychologists and designers to enhance our understanding of how we relate to spaces Connect with June: Website: ⁠⁠https://junereese.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejunereese__⁠⁠ Book: Iconic Home House of June Interiors Black Interior Designers, Inc. Connect with Dr. Za: Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠⁠ Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: ⁠⁠https://suzan-ahmed.clientsecure.me

    41 min

  7. 05/03/2025

    5. Aligning Personality and Place with Sophia Trinh

    How does our personality influence the design choices we make? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, I chat with Sophia Trinh, an artist based in Seattle, WA, about personality, social-emotional needs, and designing spaces that reflect and support our authentic selves. Sophia shares her journey of self-discovery through her art and engaging in the design psychology process. We discuss navigating cultural influences in creating a comfortable home, the importance of communicating our needs when sharing space with others, the power of space to enhance creativity, and why understanding one's personality is essential for creating a home that truly supports us. In this episode: The value of personality assessment in creating spaces that reflect identity and emotional needsHow to navigate different social and other personality needs in shared spacesThe importance of allowing our environments to evolve as we doThe role of design psychology in helping us align our internal world with our external environment Connect with Sophia: Website: ⁠https://sophiatrinh.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/philosophiatrinh⁠ Connect with Dr. Za: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠ Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: ⁠https://suzan-ahmed.clientsecure.me

    50 min

  8. 03/27/2025

    4. Navigating Identity and The Alchemy of Sacred Space with Nicky Macaluso

    How do we navigate our identity and healing journeys in a new place? How can we relate to our spaces as sacred tools for alchemy and growth? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, I chat with Nicky Macaluso, a somatic therapist and multidimensional healer, to explore the deeper connections between space, identity, privilege, and healing. Nicky shares his relocation journey from New York to Hawai’i, how living in a new place has impacted his personal and professional work, navigating privilege and sacredness as he relates to this new environment, and what home means for him. Content Warning: Brief mention of suicide in guest's bio at beginning of episode (1:48-1:50) In this episode: The role of the environment in understanding our identity and other relationshipsHow new environments can create an opportunity for deep healing and transformationThe importance of acknowledging privilege in relation to new cultural spacesThe power of design psychology to help us explore our inner and outer environments Connect with Nicky: Website: ⁠https://resilientrelief.com Email: namacaluso@gmail.com  Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nicky.mac.somatics Conversation with Ghylian Bell Connect with Dr. Za: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/⁠ Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: ⁠https://suzan-ahmed.clientsecure.me

    42 min

  9. 03/13/2025

    3. Beyond Aesthetics: From Design to Fashion Psychology with Dr. Sarah Seung-McFarland

    When we think of interior design, we often focus on aesthetics—but what about the psychological needs that shape how a space truly feels? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, I chat with Dr. Sarah Seung-McFarland, a licensed psychologist specializing in design and fashion psychology, to explore the deeper connections between space, identity, and well-being. Dr. Sarah shares her journey from counseling psychology to design psychology, how she integrates environmental autobiographies into her interior design work, and why understanding emotional connections to space is essential for creating a home that truly supports us. In this episode: The role of design psychology in creating spaces that reflect identity and emotional needsHow environmental autobiographies help uncover past, present, and future relationships to placeWhy a home’s emotional impact is just as important as its visual appealThe future of design psychology and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration Connect with Dr. Sara: Website: https://trulery.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trulery_/ Connect with Dr. Za: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/ Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: https://suzan-ahmed.clientsecure.me

    42 min

  10. 02/28/2025

    2. The Intersection of Psychology and Design with Dr. Klarissa Castro

    How do our spaces shape our emotions, behaviors, and well-being? In this episode of Design Deep Dive, Dr. Za welcomes Dr. Klarissa Castro, founder of Design Shrink Studios, to explore the emerging field of design psychology. Dr. Castro blends her background as a clinical therapist with her passion for interior design, helping individuals create spaces that reflect their identity, history, and emotional needs. Through her work in residential and commercial design, she applies a trauma-informed approach to ensure that spaces are not only aesthetically pleasing but also psychologically supportive.In this episode: How design psychology integrates therapy and interior design The importance of a trauma-informed approach when creating spaces How our past environments shape our sense of home The process of spatial case conceptualization to design emotionally supportive spaces Why collaboration between designers and psychologists is essential for holistic design Connect with Dr. Castro: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designshrink_studios/ Website: https://www.designshrinkstudios.com/ Connect with Dr. Za: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/ Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: https://suzan-ahmed.clientsecure.me

    33 min

  11. 02/28/2025

    1. What is Design Psychology? Exploring the Connection Between Space and Well-Being

    How do the spaces we live and work in shape our emotions, relationships, and overall well-being? In this debut episode of Design Deep Dive, host Dr. Suzan Ahmed (Dr. Za)—a clinical psychologist, integrative coach, yoga teacher, and design psychologist—introduces the concept of design psychology and its impact on our lives. Dr. Za shares her journey from psychotherapy to design psychology, speaking about how lighting, color, furniture, and even scent influence our mental and emotional states. She explores how our unconscious relationship with space affects our sense of security and personal growth, and how design psychology can be used to create environments that truly support our well-being.In this episode: The foundations of design psychology and its role in shaping our environments How space influences mental health, self-expression, and personal growth The connection between home, memory, and identity What a design psychology consultation looks like and who can benefit from it How this field bridges the gap between psychology, architecture, and interior design Connect with Dr. Za: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/ Book a Design Psychology Consult Call: https://suzan-ahmed.clientsecure.me

    12 min

  12. TRAILER

    Trailer: Design Deep Dive

    Welcome to Design Deep Dive, where we explore the many ways we relate to our environments and place, from our homes to our hometowns, from the built environment to our planet. By deeply understanding our relationship to place, we can create a more conscious relationship to these spaces and the world around us. Each episode, I interview guests to discuss various topics across the spectrum of design and psychology, as well as share my own experiences with place. When we can awaken to our relationship to place, we can work towards designing a more inclusive, safe, and just world. Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designwithdr.za/

    1 min

Trailer

About

Design Deep Dive, with psychologist Dr. Suzan Ahmed (Dr. Za), explores how we relate to our environments + place, from our homes to our hometowns, from the built environment to our planet. By deeply understanding our relationship to place, we can create a more conscious relationship to these spaces + the world around us. Each episode, Dr. Za interviews guests to discuss topics across the spectrum of design + psychology, as well as share my own experiences with place. When we can awaken to our relationship to place, we can work towards designing a more inclusive, safe, and just world.

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