Can Mathematical Visual Patterns Help Reduce Stress In Metro Commute?

Imagine sitting at the edge of a river, watching the water waves rise and disappear. It’s often said that being near water reduces internal noise, calms the mind, and relaxes the body. Today, the effects of sound, colour, and movement on the human body and mind are well understood. Typically, the sound of flowing water, the deep blue hues, and the rhythmic motion of waves all contribute to the soothing experience of being near the shore.

But could there be another factor at play—one that often goes unnoticed?

To explore this, let’s consider similar cases with an element missing one after the other and observe the outcome. Let’s begin by removing the sound.

We’ve all played with a kaleidoscope at some point. It doesn’t necessarily rely on sound—it uses bright colours, mirrors, and movement to evoke emotions like excitement, wonder, and happiness. In fact, it can even trigger an increase in dopamine levels. Now, let’s try removing the colours too, and see whether that has any effect.

The ideal hypnosis spiral—sometimes it feels like it holds the power to quiet our minds entirely. Personally, I believe hypnosis is about more than just staring at a spinning spiralling screen, but even this simple visual has a powerful effect on the mind. Now, let’s take away movement.

Imagine standing right at the center, looking up. No motion, no sound, no colour—just a black-and-white architectural marvel forming a spiral pattern. Would you still feel something? I can almost guarantee the answer is yes. You’d likely feel a rush of ‘wow’ or even ‘awe’. The symmetry and repeated motifs form a striking pattern that captivates the brain.

So, to answer the first question we asked earlier, it is patterns created by waves which also play a role in the calming effect. Clashing, unsettling waves can evoke urgency or fear, while small, smooth, rhythmic waves have the opposite effect—calming, grounding, almost meditative.

Now, let’s imagine removing patterns altogether. Still water without any ripple looks eerily lifeless, often evoking discomfort. A kaleidoscope without mirrors becomes a disjointed mix of colorful bits—lively, maybe, but without the structured wonder that symmetry brings. Strip the spiral from a hypnosis spiral and replace it with random lines, and it quickly turns from mesmerizing to unsettling. And finally, replace an intricately patterned ceiling with a blank white one—it loses its emotional pull.

We can see that removing patterns can completely shift the emotional impact of some of the most influential sensory experiences. Patterns, and not just any patterns, but those built on Mathematics, such as symmetry, repetition, progression, and fractals—have a powerful influence on our minds and emotions. I call them Mathematical Marvels.

It’s not surprising how much we unconsciously seek patterns. “We’re so inclined towards spotting patterns that we often see them even in randomness” (Patterns in Nature). It’s an evolutionary feature. Patterns surround us, both within and outside of us. The branching of trees and roots, the structure of leaves, the waves on water, even the functioning of our genes; all follow patterned systems. Because of our evolutionary history, our minds are hardwired to notice and search for order and structure. It helped our ancestors survive, and today it forms the core of what we consider aesthetically pleasing, emotionally positive, and pleasurable.

As we explored earlier, removing patterns from familiar experiences can create the opposite emotional effect, often discomfort or stress. But it’s not just the presence of patterns that matters. The type of pattern plays a significant role too. Research suggests that patterns dominated by curved forms and interlocking features are associated with positive emotions like trust, comfort, and happiness. In contrast, patterns with angular and disjointed forms tend to evoke negative emotions like nervousness and confusion (ResearchGate). These are linked to what psychologists call negative valence or negative emotions, which are known to increase stress.

Interestingly, design research shows that when functionality is prioritised over pleasure, angular forms are more commonly used. Whereas, curved forms are more associated with pleasure-driven design (Visual Patterns: Neuroscience Implications). But it doesn’t have to be either-or. It’s possible to design products or spaces that are both functional and emotionally calming by integrating elements with positive valence, especially those that reduce stress.

Let’s take the Delhi Metro as an example. On average, approximately 21.6 lakh people travel through it every day, with nearly 9 lakh commuting during peak hours (Medium). On November 18th, 2024, that number peaked at 78.67 lakh passengers (TOI). Now, imagine the scene: the crowd, the sweat, the noise, the physical exhaustion, the mental fatigue, the space crunch, the jostling bags—all of it building into layers of stress. And this isn’t a one-time experience; for many, it’s a daily reality. It undoubtedly takes a toll on mental health.

So, what if design could intervene here? What if something as simple as a visual design element could ease the burden, even slightly, and help reduce commuter stress?

This brings us to Fractals and The Golden Ratio—patterns that are known stress-reducers. A 2006 study found that incorporating fractals into architectural design can lead to a significant reduction in stress—simply viewing these patterns has been shown to lower stress levels by as much as 60% (Patterns in Nature). Further supporting this, research by Di Dio et al. (2007) revealed that when people perceive the golden ratio, it triggers specific neural patterns associated with the experience of beauty (Visual Patterns: Neuroscience Implications). The conclusion is clear: patterns, especially those inspired by nature, can actively support psychological well-being.

So, can we bring fractal patterns—and perhaps elements of nature—into our metro systems? Can their presence offer even a small measure of relief to daily commuters?

Design interventions like stickers for festivals and advertisements are already used in metros in countries like Singapore. But for our purpose, the intervention should be always accessible and within the line of sight for everyone inside the train—not just a specific compartment or wall. One promising space? The ceiling. It’s visible to standing or sitting passengers, and uninterrupted. It offers a canvas for continuous, flowing patterns that don’t interfere with seating or function.

Below are just a few AI-generated ideations that explore this possibility.

This has not yet been experimented with, but I would love to try this out to answer the question of whether this would work or not. Want to discuss further about this? Let’s connect.

Last Updated May 2025