Exploring and defining iyashikei in terms of game design

Sammanfattning: At one point or another we have all felt overwhelmed or stressed. It is part of human nature and can at times be beneficial as it can boost our performance and make us more alert. However when it becomes a part of daily life to worry about everything, it turns into a hindrance. This is where Iyashikei, the japanese word referring to the feeling of calm and relaxed, comes into play. We explore what makes a medium “Iyashikei” and define a design methodology based on those findings. The design methodology consists of three parts in which feelings and Iyashikei have been the main focus when deciding what to include. This design methodology is then evaluated by using it to design a game. The game is a small proof of concept design and can be expanded upon further to increase its calming effect. However we believe that it is sufficient as proof of concept.