Visual Oversimulation by 6:12 AM, and the Visual Blindness That Follows
- Nina Stupar
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The Morning We Don’t Notice
Maybe it’s 6:12 AM. Maybe it’s 7, 8, or 9. Whatever time you wake up, the reality is the same: you’re already tired… and you just opened your eyes.
I’m not talking about screaming kids, bad sleep, or lifestyle habits. I’m talking about what you see in the first 10–15 minutes of your day.
A Small Challenge
From the moment you wake up, start counting how many logos you encounter before you leave your apartment. Not just the things you use, the things sitting in your peripheral vision, as decoration, packaging, clutter, “stuff.”
If you eat breakfast at home, your number will be even higher.
I bet you’ll lose count before you even leave the bathroom.
My number? 103 logos.
Three spaces. A handful of actions.
Bedroom → Bathroom → Kitchen.
Wake up, get dressed, do hygiene, make breakfast, and step out the door.
103 messages before 7 AM.
Our Brains Are Overloaded
Every product demands an identity: a logo, colors, shapes, and a message.
Designers are pushed to make things stand out from the rest.
And as more visual information enters our world, our nervous system hits a point where it says:
“Enough.” Not because we choose to, but because the brain protects itself.
This is where visual blindness (or selective vision) begins. Our brain learns to automatically shut out everything irrelevant… which today is most of what surrounds us.
Why This Matters in Hospitality & Tourism
After years of working in hospitality and tourism, I always ask one crucial question:
“How do you want your guests to feel in your space?”
The answer always circles back to one word: Relaxed.
But relaxation isn’t created through candles or soft music alone. It starts with a calm nervous system. And one of the biggest contributors to that calm is simple:
Reduce visual overstimulation.
The Proposal Clients Resist at First
When I suggest removing unnecessary logos and visual clutter: shampoos, teas, containers, towels, condiments, the first reaction is always:
“No, that’s not possible.” “What about branding?” “What about costs?” “What about suppliers?”
I understand why. It’s a business battlefield of economics and logistics.
But long-term? It’s worth every effort.
Why Simplicity Works
Our brains relax when information is clear, consistent, and doesn’t compete.
For example:
If you run a villa or apartment rental and you offer a fully equipped kitchen, choose:
simple containers
clear labels
unified shapes
neutral colors
calm visual language
“Coffee.” “Sugar.” “Salt.” “Green tea.”
No clashing logos. No aggressive colors. No overloaded packaging fighting for attention.
The guest receives the message instantly, without visual noise.
That clarity is comfort. That simplicity is breathing room. That calmness is experience design.
In a World That Screams, Quiet Spaces Win
This goes far beyond kitchens or amenities.
In a world where visuals yell at us from every direction, spaces that regulate the nervous system become rare sanctuaries. And the brands that understand this, that truly design for emotional rest, are the ones people return to.
Not because they looked beautiful, but because they felt peaceful.
Ready to Reduce the Noise?
If you're ready to create a space where people feel their shoulders drop the moment they enter, a place where their nervous system can breathe, let’s chat.
Your guests don’t need more stimulation. They need a moment of silence.
