Over the course of this project, I explored how room geometry and color accents influence comfort and preference in interior spaces. What started as a general interest in architecture and design turned into a much deeper understanding of how people psychologically and emotionally respond to the spaces around them. I learned that design is not just about aesthetics—it directly impacts human behavior, mood, and well-being. Elements like ceiling height, spatial openness, and color saturation can subtly shape how people feel in a space without them even realizing it.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was how interdisciplinary this topic is. It connects architecture, psychology, and even biology. Researching studies and conducting my own experiment helped me see how design decisions can be supported by data, not just creativity or intuition.

Moving forward, I want to continue exploring this intersection. In the future, I could expand this research by testing more variables, such as lighting, texture, or furniture arrangement. I’m especially interested in how these ideas apply to real-world environments like schools, workplaces, and urban spaces. This project reinforced that I don’t just want to design buildings—I want to design experiences that positively impact people.

Creating my academic paper and presenting my findings pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. Writing the paper taught me how to structure complex ideas, integrate sources effectively, and maintain a formal, academic tone. It also showed me the importance of clarity—no matter how interesting your ideas are, they only matter if you can communicate them well.

The presentation and oral defense were especially impactful. I had to fully understand my research in order to explain and defend it confidently. It forced me to think on my feet, respond to questions, and engage with my audience rather than just present information. I learned how important it is to anticipate questions and truly “own” your work.

In the future, I can apply these skills in college and beyond—whether it’s presenting design concepts, pitching ideas, or collaborating with others. Being able to clearly communicate your thinking is just as important as the thinking itself.

This project taught me a lot about myself—not just as a student, but as a person. I learned that I’m genuinely curious and driven when I’m working on something I care about. At the same time, I realized that I can struggle with perfectionism and overthinking, especially when I want my work to reflect who I truly am.

Over time, I got better at trusting the process instead of trying to control every detail. I learned how to manage long-term projects, stay organized, and push through moments of doubt. I also became more confident in my ideas and my ability to contribute something meaningful.

As a researcher, I’ve learned that it’s okay not to have all the answers. What matters is asking good questions and being willing to explore them deeply. As a human being, I’ve learned the importance of authenticity—this project helped me move away from trying to create something “perfect” and instead focus on creating something real.

I will carry these lessons forward by continuing to challenge myself, staying curious, and being more confident in my voice and perspective.

I would like to thank Mr. Dobos and Ms. McBride for their support throughout this project. They both helped guide the construction and development of my project, provided feedback on my work, and were available to help whenever problems came up. Their support made it easier to stay on track and improve my overall project.

Visual design plays a critical role in shaping human perception, emotional response, and behavior within built environments. While prior research has examined color psychology and shape perception independently, fewer studies have explored how these elements interact in realistic spatial contexts. This study investigates how room geometry, such as curved or rectangular, and color accents including blue, green, red, and pink influence perceived comfort and emotional response. It was hypothesized that curved rooms paired with cool colors, particularly blue, would produce the highest comfort ratings due to established associations between curvature and relaxation.

An online survey was conducted with 50 adult participants who evaluated digitally rendered interior environments under controlled conditions. Participants rated each space using Likert-scale measures and provided qualitative explanations for their preferences. Results indicated that color had a stronger and more consistent effect than shape. Blue was most frequently associated with calmness and relaxation, with approximately 80% of participants describing it using positive emotional terms such as “calm,” “peaceful,” and “safe.” In contrast, rectangular rooms were often rated as more comfortable due to familiarity rather than aesthetic appeal. A chi-square test (p = 0.778) revealed no statistical significance between color and geometry.

These findings suggest that color functions as an immediate emotional cue, while shape influences perception through familiarity and cognitive interpretation. The study highlights the importance of psychological associations in spatial perception and provides practical implications for interior designs.

Although this project is coming to an end, it feels more like the beginning of something bigger. As I prepare to attend Virginia Tech for architecture, I’m excited to continue exploring how design impacts people and communities.

In the future, I hope to dive deeper into interdisciplinary design—combining architecture with psychology, sustainability, and human-centered thinking. I want to create spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but also meaningful and impactful.

This project has shown me that my interests go beyond just designing buildings—I’m interested in how spaces make people feel and how they shape human experiences. That’s something I’m excited to keep exploring in college and beyond.