experienceas

Experienceas is a neologism used in discussions of design, media studies, and cognitive science to denote a perspective in which experience itself is treated as the primary object of design, analysis, or communication. The term is formed by combining “experience” and “as” to express the idea of prioritizing experiential conditions as the thing itself, rather than focusing solely on content.

In usage, experienceas can refer to both a methodological stance and a design principle. As a methodological stance, researchers or designers analyze how an audience experiences a product or message, rather than merely what information is presented. As a design principle, products are organized around experiential facets—interactivity, pacing, sensory cues, and narrative flow—intended to foster memorable user experiences.

In digital media, experienceas is sometimes invoked to describe approaches that foreground user journey, context, and feedback loops. It often intersects with concepts such as experience design, user experience (UX), and gameful design. Proponents argue it helps align objectives with human perception and engagement; critics warn that overemphasis on experience risks neglecting accuracy, accessibility, or inclusivity.

Examples include discourse around immersive interfaces, storytelling in interfaces, and education that centers learner experience. The term remains informal and is not widely standardized, and its interpretation varies across fields. See also experience design, user experience, phenomenology, and media studies.