Art therapy techniques as a novel creative method for exploring design for home happiness

Home can play a central role in influencing societal practices, being, among other conceptualisations, a social system supportive of basic and psychological needs. Art therapy techniques can be used for exploring home happiness from this perspective. They appear to enable the identification of systemic facilitators of happy home moments, informing design opportunities. This paper discusses art therapy techniques as a new tailored creative method for exploring this within design research. It begins by describing relevant home and happiness concepts, art therapy techniques and similar creative methods. This is followed by an explanation of how art therapy approaches were used to examine practices for home happiness. Subsequently, research results are highlighted, such as how 'design for home happiness' can create applicable design products and services. Finally, implications of employing art therapy techniques in 'designing for home happiness' are suggested.