start

"Synesthesia isn’t common, but it isn’t rare, either. Experts estimate at least 4% of people worldwide experience it. However, that number may be higher because there are so many possible forms of synesthesia. Some experts estimate that certain forms of synesthesia — especially time-space synesthesia — may affect as many as 1 in 8 people. It’s also possible that synesthesia is so natural for some people that they experience it and don’t realize what it is."

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24995-synesthesia

"Featuring the 10 songs from Ravage, the fully-choreographed movie contains no dialogue and is neither a soundtrack to the movie nor a visual album: It’s a whole body of work that features an illuminating dystopian to utopian transformation."

"The combination of music and visuals, the powerful performances of Mogli and her pack, the passion everyone put in, makes RAVAGE a truly unique project."

https://mogliofficial.com/ravage/

"problem"

social divisions

The (man/media made) division of society/ of humanity

Relevance in Design Context

Ways of documenting daily life, so it can be seen/ told over and over again.

Relevance in Social Context

I want to research if we really are so different from each other. Or are we more the same/ connected (to each other) than we think? Do we have more similarities than we think/ "they" make us believe?

Options
1. experience centre --> where visitors can experience different sense combinations (tasting colors etc.) --> to stimulate and develop/activate your brain, experience to use your brain differently, come to insights/ get more creative/ develop differently. ?an lsd trip without drugs? --> also for people who don't have it or do not recognise themselves with any form of synesthesia.

In the form of an exhibition or traveling circus? Will people buy tickets for this, in the form of a festival ticket? A trip through the senses?

2. writing a book/ making a documentary to explain what synesthesia is and how people can recognise it --> more understanding

What --> Synesthesia

Group of Related Keywords -->

condition

connection between different pathways, connection between different senses

mixing cognitive pathways

experiencing senses

personal

Questions Regarding This Theme

- Does everyone (unconditionally) experience some sort of synesthesia? Can only a few people experience synesthesia, or can it be made?
- Are there categories in what people can experience? Or is it personal and is literally everything possible?

- Do we need to label it?
- What are the numbers and is it measurable?
- Is synesthesia a condition, is it harmful?
- Are people with synesthesia more likely to be categorised somewhere within the (autistic) spectrum? Is this useful to know?

- Can synesthesia be helpful? (more cognitive brain connections, more insights?)
- Does it benefit your (creative) abilities for example?
- Can it be a joyful experience? Is there some fun in experiencing it?

What --> Storytelling --> Daily life

Group of Related Keywords -->

personal representation

daily ordinary life experience

common (community)

log(book)/ diary reading

v(ideo)log watching via YouTube

video(format)

older generations telling stories to the younger generations

Questions Regarding This Theme

- Why do we feel the urge to capture and spread? Why do we do storytelling? What is the need/ importance?

- Is daily life interesting? What makes it interesting?
- Why do we read diaries or watch vlogs?
- Does it involve recognition?
- Does it involve connection?

- Are there more ways to capture and spread stories/ daily life stories?

- Storytelling in the past --> telling a story

What --> Storytelling --> Through Music

Group of Related Keywords -->

visual & music/ songs

videoclip format (video format)

transfer/ convey/ experience --> emotions

made up story --> made up scenes --> based on real life experiences?

moving images

Questions Regarding This Theme

- Is a videoclip a specific format? Is it specific in goal/ combination of video and music/ time length/ medium to experience it? Are there more formats like this?

- Why is it beneficial (for the story of the song) to experience video in addition to music? Is it beneficial?
- Does a videoclip add to the story of the song? Does it strengthen the message an artist has in mind for example?
- Does a video clip make it harder for you to relate the music to your own life and experiences?

- Can a videoclip be considered art? or design maybe?

case study --> Mogli, RAVAGE
- What is the difference between a videoclip and a cinematographic album?
- Why does Mogli choses to call her visual music representation a cinematographic album?
- Is it different in format?

Storytelling --> Daily Life

Storytelling --> Through Music

Write down your (preliminary) design goal or research question

Bigger picture (why)

I am interested in synesthesia and want to research the different cognitive pathways. I would like to formulate the topic and come up with a way that makes synesthesia accessible/understandable and able to experience for everyone.

I am interested in storytelling and how it relates to our daily lives. I want to research the evolution, from telling a story to the "vlog" concept and format. I want to keep it close and relatable to society.

I am interested in (visual) storytelling and how this translates into music (videoclips). I want to research the music video clip format and goal.

(personal) interest

visual storytelling

translate

into

music

videoclips

format

goal

(personal) interest

synesthesia

different cognitive pathways (and the mix synesthesia makes)

formulate --> why? --> understandable

accesible

for everyone

experience

(personal) interest

storytelling

relates to our daily lives

evolution

telling a story

vlog

concept

format

close

relatable

society

Explain the format and Explain the variations -->
Is a videoclip a specific format?
- are they all the same regarding time/ size/ process of making (medium)/ goal/ etc.
What are videoclips aiming for?

Do music video clips also have genres, as we differentiate between music genres?

Relevance in Design Context

What are the limits regarding video formats?
When do we name a videoclip art or design?

Relevance in Social Context

Videoclips as a translation/ visual representation of a story/ a story based on feelings/ of an emotional story
(relevance needs a bit more for this pitch--> research)

Relevance in Design Context

The synesthesia experience for everyone

Relevance in Social Context

Recognition for people with synesthesia, (more) understanding regarding the topic synesthesia

Research the cultural differences within daily routines and habits.
- In what are we different/ the same?

What was the importance of telling stories, why and how did we begin doing it?
The evolution --> Do we make vlogs for the same reason?

Is watching a vlog a form of entertainment? Why do we enjoy it?

Explain cognitive pathways -->
What are cognitive pathways/ how many are there? Is this measurable?
What happens when someone has synesthesia, how does this work within the brain? How do you mix pathways?

Explain synesthesia -->
How can people recognise synesthesia by themselves?
Can people make use of synesthesia? Can people learn to use synesthesia?
Can synesthesia be beneficial? Or is there a need for more understanding because living with synesthesia can be hard as well? (Does it bring difficulties?)

Can we make a fun experience out of it? --> entertainment can be a "bigger picture" as well

Traditional storytelling
--> myths and legends (fairytales)
--> to transfer knowledge, explain and teach the younger generation

Group STORYTELLING

storytelling as a medium for translation/ representation

storytelling in different formats
-->diaries or vlogs etc.
-->videoclips

technical team

moving images based on real life experiences

a videoclip can be seen on YouTube as well

Group CONNECTION
Connection between the senses (synesthesia)
Connection between social experiences, connection between each other (storytelling daily life)
Connection between the senses hearing and sight, connected to emotions (storytelling through music)
Connection with medium (technical connection) human with device

Questions regarding the theme/ group CONNECTION

Can "connection" be a group as well, or is it way too broad?

Are we looking/ in need for some sort of connection? Am I? --> personal interest

More unity within humanity - Can I contribute even a tiny bit to this? Or address it in a way..

...

Questions regarding the theme/ group STORYTELLING

If a video clip is used to convey the story of the accompanying music, do we speak of moving images as a translation of the music? Does this correspond to the moving images we see when watching a vlog? What is the difference in translating images for a music video clip and a vlog?

If music is about conveying feeling and emotion, is the accompanying visuals also about this? And how does that compare to a vlog? Do vloggers convey emotions with the visuals of their vlog, or can they achieve the same with audio alone? Is feeling and emotion less the starting point here?

What is the difference in (technical) format, can they be compared?

How can I, as an artist/ designer, explore and communicate the topic of synesthesia by contextualizing its pros and cons, and create a multisensory, interactive experience that invites both people with and without synesthesia to engage, exchange perspectives, and reflect through shared sensory encounters/ experiences?

prototyping the synesthesia experience and making this public

formulate the topic synesthesia by analysing, reading, interviewing, (re)searching, ..

To get a better idea of the relevance for research into the topic of synesthesia, I searched for various experts who have worked with this topic. Listed some interesting ones. (to remember and further research)

Relevance in Social Context --> sensory inclusion & accessibility --> using synesthetic principles in design to include more sensory modes of communication
--> communication that stimulates (tingles) the senses

Psychology & Neuroscience --> Neurologist Richard E. Cytowic is an American neurologist and author "synesthesia guru"

David Eagleman --> Neuroscientist and CEO + co founder of Neosensory --> sensory substitution

Berit Brogaard --> Neuroscientist --> philosophy of mind and philosophy of language

Philosophy --> David Howes (Anthropology of the Senses) --> studies how different cultures perceive, prioritize, and structure sensory experience --> connection to more ordinary daily life storytelling

Philosophy --> Merleau-Ponty positions synesthesia not as an extraordinary individual gift/ skill/ experience but as a primary/ primitive human condition --> “the senses intercommunicate by opening on to the structure of the thing”, so that “synesthetic perception is the rule.” --> I think this is interesting --> interviewing both people with and without synesthesia

Cretien van Campen (NL) --> author, editor and scientific researcher in social science and fine arts --> founder of Synesthetics Netherlands

Relevance in Design Context

Barnabé Fillion – Arpa (Studios) --> multisensory fragrance brand and research project

denkwerk GmbH – Beautiful Minds --> interactive website --> explaining synesthesia & visitors able to (digitally) experience synesthesia
https://ifdesign.com/en/winner-ranking/project/beautiful-minds/230076

Semiotica – Synesthetic Design Agency --> a creative agency specializing in experiential, virtual & video production for content and marketing solutions --> focuses on crafting synesthetic artworks for live experiences and film --> real-time audio/visual techniques, virtual production, and projection mapping --> multisensory environments
http://semiotica.agency

Nina Czegledy --> exhibition Sensoria --> The Art and Science of Our Senses

Oliver Sacks (Musicophilia) Tales Of Music And The Brain --> collected case studies on perception, synesthesia, and the arts

Kandinsky --> "The Sound Of Color"

SYNESTHETIC DESIGN

I, as an artist/ designer, want to explore the concept of storytelling in the setting of everyday life, how it has been a part of us throughout time, how it evolved within contemporary life and how it can hopefully create more connection in the future.

I want to research if storytelling (can) bring(s) us closer togheter as a society, like it used to do in the old days.

In what ways can storytelling, situated within the context of everyday life, function as a tool for building social connection in contemporary society?

How can storytelling, embedded in everyday life, be explored through design research methods such as interviewing, talking, analysing, prototyping, interacting, reflecting, and documenting, to understand its potential to build social connection in contemporary society?

and how can this be contextualised through historical comparison?
(when it served as teaching?)

How can I, as an artist/ designer research the format of the music video function as a storytelling tool in translating music into moving images, and how can this be explored through artistic and design research methods to deepen our understanding of its communicative and emotional potential?

GROUP storytelling daily life & storytelling through music

The music video --> a space for storytelling, experimentation, interaction, and reflection. If we consider the music video as a prototype for narrative communication, we can explore how visual storytelling embedded in everyday themes might invite emotional connection, recognition, and dialogue.

How can the music video, as a designed and performative storytelling format, be used within design research to explore and prototype everyday narratives that build social connection? --> process of making, reflecting, and contextualising inform our understanding of storytelling’s evolving role in society?

explore through -->

Prototyping: developing visual-narrative concepts in video form

Interviewing: collecting stories or reactions from viewers or subjects

Documenting: capturing the process and feedback

(Interacting: creating participatory or co-creative music video processes)

Making public: releasing the video as part of the research --> see how it is received

Relevance in Social Context --> How the medium is used to communicate ideas and emotions --> focuses on how music videos affect audiences, communicate social issues, and leads to emotional connections in a global, cultural space.

Cultural Representation and Identity --> storytelling through music video clips gives voice to underrepresented or communities (young emo teenagers for example), or how they serve as a platform for cultural expression and social change

Emotional Connection and Shared Experience --> the shared social experiences of music (swifties for example) --> a sense of community and collective memory --> connection within society

Globalization and Accessibility --> helping individuals from different backgrounds connect with shared experiences or messages --> cultural barriers

Music Video as Social Commentary --> Music videos have historically been used as a medium for social commentary --> Childish Gambino – This Is America (2018) or Nirvana – In Bloom (1992)

Relevance in Design Context --> Research into music video clips focuses on how design thinking, narrative structure, and visual communication can be applied to the medium of the music video --> exploring new ways to communicate through design

Visual Storytelling and Aesthetic Design --> blend art & design --> cinematography, graphic design, animation, and performance vs. composition, color theory, and motion.

Multisensory Design --> combination sound, (moving)images/ visuals and movement --> communicate. This can include the timing of visuals to match the rhythm, use of abstract visuals to match the tone, or even narrative disruption to match dissonance in the song --> connection to synesthesia

User Experience --> music video clips on apps like TikTok, a TikTok trend can make it interactive (dancetok)

Prototyping and Experimentation --> Music videos can be perfect testing "tools" for prototyping new ways of telling stories trough motion, animation, or (non-linear) narratives. As a designer, exploring new storytelling formats in music video creation can lead to innovations --> because a music video clip is a short/ quick form of entertainment, I see options within the world of advertisement/ commercials as well.

How can synesthetic perception be used to create more inclusive, emotionally resonant, or culturally meaningful experiences?

How synesthetic perception help designers create more inclusive, emotionally engaging, and culturally meaningful experiences in both digital and physical spaces?

How can I, as an artist/ designer, use (ideas from) synesthetic perception to create more inclusive, emotionally engaging, and culturally meaningful experiences in both digital and physical spaces?

How can I, as an artist/ designer, use synesthesic perception to create multi sensory experiences?

How can the principles of synesthesia be used in the design of music videos to translate musical storytelling into multi-sensory visual experiences?

--> Music videos are already multisensory --> combining sound and image to translate story/ narrative. However, many music videos rely primarily on visual rhythm or literal storytelling rather than deeply translating the emotional texture of sound into visual form. Synesthesia --> hearing colors, seeing sounds, offers a powerful framework for reimagining this process.

By making use of the synesthetic principles, artists/ designers can create visuals that feel like the music --> shaping color, motion, texture, and form in ways that mirror the tone, rhythm, and emotional resonance of sound. This approach can make music videos more immersive.

The need for this combination lies in the growing desire for more emotionally embodied and sensory "rich" storytelling --> digital media. It opens up new creative languages for translating sound into visuals.

How can I, as an artist/ designer use synesthetic perception to create multi sensory experiences?

Relevant to --> Researchers/ Designers

SUBQUESTION

Research synesthesia/ the synesthetic perception

ACTIONS

Research the field --> (neuro) scientists

SUBQUESTION

The need of the phenomenon synesthesia within this research

ACTIONS

SUBQUESTION

Research multi sensory experiences --> to research multi sensory design

What is
1. multi sensory experiences
2. multi sensory design

ACTIONS

digital/ physical spaces?

SUBQUESTION

Research synesthesia as a framework for (music) videos

ACTIONS

SUBQUESTION

Research synesthesia as a framework for storytelling

ACTIONS

multi sensory experience

To create multi sensory experiences

Relevant to --> Audience --> Spectators ? synesthetes or particularly not synesthetes ?

SUBGOAL

The synesthetic perception to create
- more inclusive
- emotionally engaging
- cultural meaningful
--> experiences

ACTIONS

SUBGOAL

Formulate the topic synesthesia --> (re)present the synesthetic perception --> (helping people to) understand synesthesia

ACTIONS

--> a phenomenom
--> a condition
--> a tool

SUBGOAL

The value of our sensory experience

What does it add to our connection with design

ACTIONS

SUBGOAL

Multi sensory experience --> create visuals that feel like the music --> more immersive?

ACTIONS

Shaping color

Motion

Texture

Form in ways that mirror the tone, rhythm and emotional resonance of sound

SUBGOAL

To translate storytelling into a multi sensory experience

ACTIONS

More emotionally embodied and sensory rich storytelling

11/07/2025 MESMERICA, Artist: James Hood, Location: Plantagezaal, Artis, Amsterdam

James Hood aims to spiritually inspire visitors/audience through sensory immersion. The event utilises/ makes use of a 360° projection/screening, synchronized music, and visual art.

The 60-minute performance took place in a domed hall, with the audience reclining or leaning back to watch the projections above them. The music consisted of harmonious and repetitive motifs, accompanied by visuals of natural patterns, geometric shapes, and cosmic landscapes.

(personal) areas for improvement --> better editing, geharmoniseerde opbouw en afbouw, ik mistte evenwicht in onder andere timing, --> storytelling !!

27/07/2025 De Zee (in collaboration with GREENPEACE) Location: Fabrique des Lumières, Amsterdam

Productie: Culturespaces Studio® | Design & Animatie: Spectre Lab | Muzikale samenwerking: Start-Rec 

digitale kunstinstallatie, verschillende projectiezalen (sommige wel 17 meter hoog), volledig bedekt met bewegend beeld, ondersteund met bijpassend geluid.
--> immersive

10/10/2025 Temper Tantrum Bonehouse Location: W139, Amsterdam

An exhibition initiated by Mette Sterre. Featuring works by Lolly Adams, Özgür Atlagan, Monster Chetwynd, Diane Mahín, Aimée Philips & Nina Läuger, and Mette Sterre, this immersive group show explores the limitless potential of the body—turning W139 into a possessed, grotesque, more-than-human organism.

Made use of --> sight, hearing, (smell --> rubber bands), tactile --> you could feel it --> all themed around the human body --> recognisably and thereby tangible --> representation of human skin and body parts, human hair etc.

Body position or internal sense ? --> interesting !!

11/10/2025 Fort Resort Beemster

Wellness

Sight, hearing, smell, (taste --> restaurant), touch --> all of the basic senses

Additional ? --> temperature, pain, body position and internal sense

16/10/2025 BODY & MIND oasis by Rituals --> experience store --> Kalverstraat Amsterdam

Wellness

Many different treatments/ experiences --> focusses on body and mind --> full body experiences to feel better on all kinds of fronts

21/10/2025 Nxt Museum Amsterdam --> current Still Processing

Still Processing explores how people and technology translate data into meaning. How do we navigate between the rational and the emotional? The exhibition delves into the flattening of images, the mental imprints left by moving light, and how AI evolves digitally created worlds and characters.

- theme --> How the human brain processes movement, light, and sound to construct meaning.

- Balfua, The Slollaleia, 2025 --> immersive cinema screen/ world --> sight & hearing (touch, because you lay down on pillows?)

- Children of the Light, ALL-TOGETHER-NOW, 2025 --> scientific breakthrough allowed us to visualise the unseeable: the first-ever image of a black hole processed by a new algorithm --> immersive installation, walk through

- Geoffrey Lillemon, Simulation in Blue, 2025 --> cinema screen, immersive via the 3d objects/ element placement --> sight & hearing (touch, because you lay down on pillows?)

- Gabey Tjon a Tham, Red Horizon, 2014 --> kinetic light & sound instellation --> rhythmically guiding eye movements with light --> either creating visual echos or evoking the function of EMDR

25/10/2025 Mystic Garden x Dockyard Festival ADE, Amsterdam

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24/10/2025

Beste Dr. C. van Campen,

Ik ben al enige tijd bekend met uw onderzoek en geïnteresseerd in uw werk!

Mijn naam is Romé Vlugt en zelf studeer ik momenteel Design Research aan het Piet Zwart Instituut in Rotterdam. Binnen deze masteropleiding heb ik de vrijheid om mijn persoonlijke interesse te laten uitgroeien tot een design waardig onderzoeksproject. Ik ben met name geïnteresseerd in de zintuigen, het fenomeen synesthesie en de relatie tot menselijke (multi) sensorische ervaringen. Vandaar dat ik u schrijf.

Ik denk te begrijpen dat u onderzoek rondom synesthesie al wat langer geleden is en u tegenwoordig meer onderzoek doet naar kwaliteit van leven, levensloop en veroudering. Toch hoop ik dat ik nog wat vragen mag stellen rondom het onderwerp synesthesie.

1. U doet onder andere onderzoek naar kwaliteit van leven. Kunt u zich voorstellen dat synesthesie, of andere (unieke) zintuiglijke ervaringen, een rol spelen bij het hebben van bepaalde ervaringen met betrekking tot kwaliteit van leven? Is er een verband tussen synesthesie en kwaliteit van leven? Ik moest bijvoorbeeld denken aan de manier waarop we emoties ervaren, maar ook aan de manier waarop we met elkaar omgaan en verhalen vertellen.

2. Binnen mijn onderzoek vind ik het soms lastig om een goede reden te vinden voor (verder) onderzoek naar synesthesie en zintuiglijke ervaringen. Ik ben soms op zoek naar de noodzaak van dit onderzoek voor design. Ik geloof dat die er is. Maar misschien heeft u tips of feedback?

3. Vanuit mijn persoonlijke interesse wil ik synesthesie graag verbinden aan storytelling, het vertellen van verhalen, zoals een videoclip muziek verbindt met beeld. Dit brengt me tot multi-sensorische projecties die weer allerlei doeleinden kunnen hebben. Een ervaring die je hersenen op bepaalde manieren activeert en je opfrist en uitgerust, geïnspireerd of gewoon een beetje gelukkiger maakt. Ziet u hoe synesthesie hieraan kan bijdragen?

Mijn fascinatie voor dit onderwerp bestaat al langer, maar deze specifieke masteropleiding en bijbehorende onderzoeksrichting zijn pas recentelijk van start gegaan. Ik zou het enorm waarderen als u de tijd wilt nemen om naar mijn vragen te kijken en ik hoor heel graag uw input!

Bedankt voor uw tijd.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Romé Vlugt

Antwoord van Crétien van Campen 30-10-2025

1. U doet onder andere onderzoek naar kwaliteit van leven. Kunt u zich voorstellen dat synesthesie, of andere (unieke) zintuiglijke ervaringen, een rol spelen bij het hebben van bepaalde ervaringen met betrekking tot kwaliteit van leven? Is er een verband tussen synesthesie en kwaliteit van leven? Ik moest bijvoorbeeld denken aan de manier waarop we emoties ervaren, maar ook aan de manier waarop we met elkaar omgaan en verhalen vertellen.

Veel personen met synesthesie vinden het een verrijking van hun leven en beleving van de wereld. Voor hen heeft een positief effect op hun kwaliteit van leven. Een kleine groep mensen ervaart synesthesie als te veel prikkels of verwarrende prikkels in hun dagelijks functioneren. Voor hen heeft synesthesie een negatief effect op hun kwaliteit van leven.

1. Binnen mijn onderzoek vind ik het soms lastig om een goede reden te vinden voor (verder) onderzoek naar synesthesie en zintuiglijke ervaringen. Ik ben soms op zoek naar de noodzaak van dit onderzoek voor design. Ik geloof dat die er is. Maar misschien heeft u tips of feedback?

De zintuigen zijn onze primaire bron van contact met de wereld. Er zijn veel manieren waarop mensen in contact staan in de wereld. Die van mensen met synesthesie is een bijzondere manier van contact die ons kan leren over diversiteit in het omgaan met de wereld. Design gaat vaak uit van de gemiddelde mens, maar er bestaat geen gemiddelde mens. Helpt dit?

1. Vanuit mijn persoonlijke interesse wil ik synesthesie graag verbinden aan storytelling, het vertellen van verhalen, zoals een videoclip muziek verbindt met beeld. Dit brengt me tot multi-sensorische projecties die weer allerlei doeleinden kunnen hebben. Een ervaring die je hersenen op bepaalde manieren activeert en je opfrist en uitgerust, geïnspireerd of gewoon een beetje gelukkiger maakt. Ziet u hoe synesthesie hieraan kan bijdragen?

Zintuigelijke indrukken vormen ingrediënten voor de verhalen die we maken en vertellen. Synesthesie biedt wonderlijke ingrediënten!

05-11-2025 Synesthesia Variaties

Synesthesia Survey via Typeform

How old are you?

Do letters or numbers have specific colors when you see or think about them?
(Grapheme–Color Synesthesia)

To what options connects the letter "A" best? Pick the last option if the letter "A" does not connect to one of the colors at all.

Do certain words, names, or sounds automatically make you experience a specific taste or flavor?
(Lexical–Gustatory Synesthesia)

If you see this word "banana", what does this word taste like?

When you think of numbers, do you automatically picture them arranged in a particular shape or pattern in space?
(Number–Form Synesthesia)

Like what shape do these sequence of numbers "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10" appear in your mind?

Do time units (such as days, months, or years) appear arranged in specific locations or directions around you?
(Spatial Sequence Synesthesia)

To what option connects the month "June" best? Pick the last option if the month "June" does not connect to one of the options at all.

Do sounds, such as music or voices, make you see or imagine specific colors or visual shapes?
Chromesthesia (Sound–Color Synesthesia)

When you see someone being touched, do you feel a similar touch on your own body?
(Mirror–Touch Synesthesia)

Do numbers, letters, or days of the week seem to have their own personalities, genders, or emotions?
(Ordinal–Linguistic Personification)

To what option connects the number "6" best? Pick the last option if the number "6" does not connect to one of the options at all.

Do certain sounds make you feel physical sensations on your skin or in your body?
(Auditory–Tactile Synesthesia)

Do moving images or visual patterns make you hear sounds, even if the movement is silent? (Do still or silent visual images make you hear sounds in your mind?)
(Visual Motion–Sound Synesthesia)

Do abstract ideas, emotions, or concepts (like justice, love, or time) have specific colors, textures, or spatial positions in your mind?
Conceptual (Idea–Color or Emotion–Color) Synesthesia

To what option connects the concept "justice" best? Pick the last option if the concept "justice" does not connect to one of the options at all.

1. Grapheme–Color Synesthesia
Most common type.
Letters or numbers automatically evoke specific colors.
Example: the letter A always appears red, B blue, C yellow.
Consistent over time — if you test someone years later, they’ll report the same color associations.

2. Lexical–Gustatory Synesthesia
Words, names, or sounds trigger taste sensations.
Example: the word “basketball” might taste like chocolate or metal.
Very rare — only a few dozen documented cases worldwide.

3. Number–Form Synesthesia
Numbers are automatically visualized in specific spatial arrangements or “maps.”
Example: 1–10 appear in a line, but 11–20 curve upward like a spiral.

4. Spatial Sequence Synesthesia
Time units (days, months, years) appear arranged in space.
Example: the year 2025 might be to the left of your mental field, and January sits closer than December.
Often linked to a strong sense of “mental calendar.”

5. Chromesthesia (Sound–Color Synesthesia)
Sounds trigger colors, shapes, or textures.
Common among musicians (e.g., Duke Ellington, Pharrell Williams).
Example: a trumpet note might appear as a burst of bright yellow light.

6. Mirror–Touch Synesthesia
Feeling a physical sensation on your own body when you see someone else being touched.
Example: seeing someone’s arm brushed makes your own arm tingle.
Related to heightened empathy and mirror neuron activity.

7. Personification Synesthesia (Ordinal–Linguistic Personification)
Ordered sequences like numbers, letters, or days of the week have personalities or genders.
Example: “Monday is a grumpy old man; 5 is shy and polite.”

8. Auditory–Tactile Synesthesia
Sounds cause physical touch sensations on the body.
Example: hearing a high-pitched violin note feels like a tickle on the neck.

9. Visual Motion–Sound Synesthesia
Seeing movement or visual patterns evokes sounds, even in silence.
Example: watching a flickering light makes you “hear” a buzzing tone.

10. Conceptual or Abstract Synesthesias
More cognitive than sensory — abstract ideas like time, numbers, or emotions are colored, textured, or spatially arranged.
Example: the concept of justice feels “blue and smooth.”

I have used these chart cards while visiting/ during my visits to all of these experiences above. (personal experience)

THE RIDDLE

I asked --> What is a multi sensory experience | This is relevant for my research because I get examples and experiences of multi sensory design. Relevant to see and experiences what variaties are already out there.

I did --> Made these sensory charts and visited different multi sensory places/ experiences.

I found --> This gave me insight in how multi sensory different experiences are. A wellness/ spa day scored higher on the multi sensory chart than an immersive video museum visit for example.

I (don't) know/ it made me realise that --> Both multi sensory experiences, very different in stimulation, different in triggering the senses.

06-11-2025 Synesthesia Survey via Typeform Result Rapport

THE RIDDLE

I asked --> My goal was/ is to formulate the topic synesthesia, for myself to understand what variaties are out there (with concrete examples) and to get personal synesthesia information/ data from the people around me. How synesthesia is represented within my personal network/ within the people around me. To get a broad perspective on synesthesia and other peoples experiences with synesthesia.

I did --> I used a Typeform Survey, spread it via WhatsApp, participants could fill it out via their mobile phones and I store the results rapport on my Hotglue page. I designed the questions in a way that it was easy to associate with.

I found --> Initially, to the direct questions such as "have you had this ... synesthesia experience" many people answer "no", while to the next question, which is more abstract and asks for an intuitive answer, they almost always give a synesthesia answer.

I (don't) know/ it made me realise that --> The synesthesia experience is something many people don't immediately label as synesthesia. It can, however, certainly be present in the participant. They are used to it, used to its experience.

It gave me the insights I was looking for. To formulate the topic synesthesia and its variaties. To get a broad perspective on different synesthesia experiences from different people.

Documentation --> I used a Typeform Survey, spread it via WhatsApp, participants could fill it out via their mobile phones and I store the results rapport on my Hotglue page.

10-11-2025 Synesthesia lenses

POV your days are coloured

THE RIDDLE

I asked --> I was looking for a visual representation on how some variaties on Synesthesia can look/ feel. A nice and aesthetically pleasing video representation/ presentation.

I did --> I ordered see through paper in different colours. With this paper I made different camera lenses. The different camera lenses all represent a different color and thereby a different weekday. Holding these filters in front of the camera, while filming the POV shots made the moving images and thereby the days coloured. I made a video, that shows me, doing daily activities inside the house. With a screen in screen edit that, at the same time, shows a point of view perspective, from how the days of the week can look and feel for a synesthete. --> POV your days are coloured.

I found --> The result is this video (not yet finished/ perfect)

I (don't) know/ it made me realise that --> A lot of the synesthesia habits are completely normal for the people that live with them. I don't realise my days are coloured, unless I force myself to think about it. The video shows it in a very dominant way, but for me that is not really how present it really looks/ feels. For the video I choose a sort of vlog format, daily activities to keep it recognisable/ understandable for the viewers. It is a nice format, that with this way of storytelling feels right for this subject.

It made me also realise that it is really fun and an aesthetically pleasing concept to make videos around.

Documentation --> Camera lenses in different colours --> I made photos of them and documented the photos on my Hotglue page. The physical lenses are stored at home. I have extra materials and can make them or use them again. With the lenses I made this video, which is uploaded on my Youtube page. Via my Youtube page you are able to see the video on my Hotglue page.