For the past three decades, research on the topic of synaesthesia has been largely dominated by the field of psychology and neuroscience, and has focused on scientifically investigating its experience and causes to define the phenomenon of synaesthesia. However, the scientific research on this subject is now enquiring into potential future implementations and asking how this subject may be useful to wider audiences, and is attempting to expand its research spectrum beyond the mere scientific analysis. This PhD research in design by practice attempts to contribute and expand this scope: it shares a creative interpretation of synaesthesia research and questions its existing boundary.

Synaesthesia is one of those rare subjects where both science and creative context intersect and nurture each other. By looking into this PhD research, readers may gain insights of how a designer tries to discover a new value within this interdisciplinary context. This research contributes three types of new knowledge and new perspectives. Firstly, it provides a new interpretation and awareness in and of synaesthesia research, and expands its research boundaries, moving from analysis based research to application based research. Secondly, it outlines three approaches, a range of themes and toolkits for using synaesthesia as a provocation in generating creative ideas in the design process. Thirdly, it identifies the differences between previous synaesthesia application research and current application research within the context of design.