Abstract

In 2005 Brendan Walker published the Taxonomy of Thrill, where he presents findings from his research project “Chromo11: Engineering The Thrill”. In “A Decade of Thrill” Brendan showcases a rich feast of his resulting groundbreaking projects – that use technologies old and new – to explore the impact that the taxonomy has had on his own creative practice.

“The Taxonomy of Thrill investigates the experience of thrill – how it works, why it works, and what such insights might mean for designers. This research represents the first stage of a project called chromo11: engineering the thrill, which aims to design new types of thrilling experiences. A companion volume, Thrilling Designs, showcases selected design work. The increasing prevalence of electronic interaction has reinvigorated a key aspect of design work – the crafting of delight. However, designers have little control over the resulting flow of emotional engagement, and related feelings. If they understood more about the dynamics of such euphoric experiences, in general and in relation to design, could they become directors of this emotional action? This question underpins chromo11 and influenced the writing of The Taxonomy of Thrill, which offers a design tool for directing the role of one powerful, yet volatile, emotion – thrill.” The Taxonomy of Thrill, 2005