VISUALIZATION

WORSHIP Experience Design

LEARNING HOW TO
CONNECT TO GOD
Deity Worship Values Effigies

ABSTRACT. Worship of God is the soul
practice of all religions. It is a means through which
followers connect to God to receive enlightenment.
Regardless of their level of devotion many followers
of Hinduism have difficulty ‘connecting to God’.
The research found that their difficulty was caused
by a lack of knowledge of the specific practice of
visualization of God within Bhaktiyoga. The aim of
this project is to use experiential design to educate
devotees about visualization of God and enhance the
practice of Hinduism. “Experience is not only found in
Disneyland, it is inherent in all interaction, fluctuating
between levels of unconsciousness, conscious and
meaningful stories” (Battarbee & Mattelmaki, 2004, p.
337).
This project endeavours to find a design solution to
enhance devotional practice of Hinduism.
INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT
BHAKTIYOGA (loving devotion), is the name
of the most recommended form of devotion to
God (Krishna) in Hinduism. The most significant
practice within Bhaktiyoga is Rupadhyana, MENTAL
VISUALISATION of the divine names, forms,
attributes, pastimes and associates of the Supreme
meaning, and emotional context” (Poggio, 2004). By
incorporating all of these features an effective design
solution could be resolved to help the devotees.
For devotees to engross their mind in the spiritual
realm they have to “take the support of Divine
pastimes (stories, actions and events that Krishna
played out while he was on earth) (…) The pastimes
of Krishna are so irresistibly charming that the
devotees mind is forcibly attracted to them”
(Maharaja, 1996, p.279). The interactive aspect of
experience design is essentially about storytelling and
creating. “Media have always effected the telling of
stories and the creation of experiences, but currently values
new media offer capabilities and opportunities not
yet addressed in the history of interaction and
performance” (Poggio, 2004). New interactive media
and technology could be used to create a personal
experience, sharing stories of Krishna’s pastimes and
love for devotees.
Precedents
The ultimate aim of life in Hinduism is to attain
eternal happiness; therefore the experiential design
solution should evoke happiness. According to Andre
Braz, an experience designer, experiences that foster
happiness should empower people to do something

51
Lord leading to the deepest states of meditation,
in a better way, solve problems, create enjoyable
which can be seen in Diagram 1. Diagram 2 shows
experiences, make minds wonder and create an
the nine forms of Bhaktiyoga devotion stated in
emotional connection, this project will aim to achieve
the Bhagavat Purana (a Hindu scriptures). They are
all of these attributes. Rupadhyana: Being devoid
ordered in an ascending level of practice.
Mental visualisation of all desires:
DESIGN ACTIVITIES of the divine name, righteousness
A survey conducted within the Hindu communities
With this back knowledge five design solutions have forms, attributes, wealth sensual
of Wellington showed that devotees have most
been contrived; they are an interactive Wii console pastimes & associates pleasures &
difficulty in connecting and visualizing God (Graph 1),
of the supreme lord. liberation
and reaching the seventh, eighth and nineth forms of game, a virtual desktop avatar, an Iphone application,

4 2
devotion in Bhaktiyoga. The problem is due devotees animation and a holographic deity. These solutions all
the lack of knowledge of Bhaktiyoga – specifically involve modeling and animating Krishna and Radha
Rupadhyana which assists all nine levels of devotion effectively bringing them to life, and then making them
and leads to higher states of devotion interactive in order for the devotees to develop a Having steadfast BHAKTIYOGA
The Bhakti
personal relationship with them. They also try and devotion to one (loving
shouldnt be
This project endeavours to find a design solution engage the see, hear, touch and smell senses. These ‘Ananyata’. devotion)
diluted by:
to enhance devotional practice of Hinduism by solutions were included in the survey conducted and (If any subject Karma (action)

3
using experiential design to educate devotees about the holographic deity was the most preferred design apart from God Jana (knowledge)
visualization and enhance the practice of Hinduism. solution, as it is engaging to all ages, and also is the enters the mind One Tapa (Penance)
The solution should also teach key characteristics most immersive. this is obstructed). should actively
of Bhaktiyoga, such as the third one in Diagram 1 serve the Lord in a
– considering God to be your beloved, son, friend, pleasingway through rela-
DESIGN SOLUTION tionships of:tranquility, ser-
master and king, so that devotees can strengthen The life size holographic deity solution is going to be
their loving connection, and achieve their ultimate aim vature, friendship, parent-
developed and produced. This resolution brings to hood & passionate love.
of life, attaining eternal divine bliss - God. life Radha and Krishna in a temple themed installation (Considering Him as your
via animation and interactive techniques. Information, beloved son, friend,
METHODOLOGIES interactive and sensorial design disciplines will be master or king).
Successful experiences are obtained by an appropriate incorporated to create an immersive solution that
interplay of the Information, Interaction, and Sensorial will engage devotees, subliminally teach how to Diagram 1
Design disciplines. “Experience design is an approach visualize Radha and Krishna, and teach the essence
to creating successful experiences for people in any of Bhaktiyoga. With this knowledge and developing -
s u rren - Dev
ot
e o Recional so
medium. Includes consideration and design in all 3 ability to visualize, devotee’s connection with God will plet e dev
spatial dimensions, over time, all 5 common senses, strengthen and they will get closer to achieving their Comr wher rships d Scri itations ngs
de ee wo es Go Lectptures
and interactivity, as well as customer value, personal ultimate aim of life, the eternal bliss of God through t lov sly ures
his grace. andselfles
Go with ociae

Pratories e na
-
n s s

s ivin
tio of as Clo

9 1
So , pasrayer s
ise , p me
d

Surrenderance Listening
ng t t s,
te ate

s o ime
d
stantim

8 2
I

Becoming Chanting
His friend
Every act is ouoft of

7 9 FORMS of
and divtories,
the Divine Lord

glorieslling the
the service

Thinking to DEVOTION 3
namesine

be His servant Remembrance

s
Reca

4
6 Service at the
Praying 5 Lotus Feet
A
de tti Ritualistic rm
th r wtude Worship fo al
a oni d
e h o
of inneich f s be m n e Graph 1
su r lea ure a n ere ip a o th ll
re att ds n- C r c rsh d t we
nd itu t o wo cte as
er de o e u
Performane of dir Gur
Visualizing
prescribed
ritual rites
Connecting
Understanding
Believing

Left: Play Station Portable Game Diagram 2

What devotees value in life

Family
Far left: Virtual Desktop
Health
Wealth
Below: Iphone Application God

Why do devotees go to the temple, to:

Connect to God
Learn about God
Learn how to worship God
Sing and play instruments
Listen to the stories about God

Devotees would use the following systems

to connect to God:
Iphone application

Wii / Playstation game

Virtual desktop avatar
Holographic deity
Left: Animation
Animated deity
Right: Wii Console Game Below: Holograpphic Deity

Roshan Patel 07010206

222.431 Massey University

roshanpatelmajor.posterous.com