Industrial design hall of fame
BRIEF :
Create a design intervention, that improves students experience at 161 south main street (industrial design building).
When :
Fall 2019
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Key Question:
What part of the ID experience do students want to change / improve?
research
student survey :
I created a questionnaire using Google forms, to understand student's general thoughts about working/collaborating in the ID building.
survey questions + answers :
What year are you in?
Seniors (33.3 %)
Sophomores (13.3 %)
Juniors (53.3 %)
How often do you visit the ID building to work, besides class?
40%
2 to 4 Days
26%
1 to 2 Days
20%
Only when I need to use the shops
14%
I prefer working from home / elsewhere
How do you feel about the atmosphere in ID?
key takeaways :
- Dull environment.
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- Need more collaborative spaces.
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- Don't mingle with students outside of class / studio.
- Productive environment.
On a scale of 1-10, how interested are you in a shared space where you can discuss ideas/ask questions/get feedback?
66%
10 - 9
Very Interested
20%
8 - 6
Somewhat Interested
14%
5 - 0
Mildly Interested
The ID community is a valuable resource, what would you like to gain from it?
key takeaways :
- Connections.
- More connections.
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- Career planning advice.
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- Crafts & skills.
Summary :
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Initial problem - Not enough collaborative/ hang-out spots to share ideas/thoughts/get feedback.
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Main concerns - Dull atmosphere, overly competitive environment, stools, studio layouts, lack of a sense of community.
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What do people wish to gain from the ID community - CONNECTIONS.
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Suggestions - Anonymous Q&A box, Online forum, RISD ID App
Area of focus :
Community building + Development
Objective
Statement :
My goal for this assignment is to create / foster greater interaction / communication / collaboration between all students of the industrial design building.
Areas of opportunity
1. Anonymous q&A box :
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Write queries / general questions on a note, include name + email.
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Drop it into the box.
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Box is placed in central location (lobby).
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Students passing through may interact with the box by turning the wheel.
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The box dispenses random note.
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Person may choose to answer query / question via email.
2. Industrial design app :
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Helps students connect with peers within ID, message, follow studio work.
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Upload / post work, queries, surveys, targeted to ID students.
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Share information related to upcoming classes, workshops, events (built in calendar).
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Discussion forums, to share ideas and increase collaboration.
3. Student Photo wall :
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"More connections, less segregation".
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Don't know peers outside your own year group, sometimes even studio.
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Remembering people's names + faces.
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Allows students to learn about all members of the ID community.
Why options 1 & 2 would not work :
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No incentive to use Q&A box, when the student can just ask friends instead.
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Any questions would require real-time response, and this is a slow, delayed process.
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In a digital world, people find it easiest to access others online.
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App is not convenient as people use other forms of known social media to carry out similar functions (Facebook groups, Instagram surveys, Snapchat sharing).
Benefits of photo + name wall :
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Creates a sense of relationship.
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Makes people feel valued, important.
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Increases comfort level, trust, empathy and positive communication.
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Feeling of belonging in a community.
Key takeaways :
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Engaging, interesting method to learn about peers, requiring minimal interaction.
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Fun and quick!
Design opportunity
statement :
Creating a space where peers can familiarize themselves with each other’s names +faces and potentially connect /make conversation.
Design Process
Keywords :
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Fun
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Interactive
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Colorful
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Accessible
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Community - Driven
Features :
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Name + Year
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Fun photo (self - expression)
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Flexible + Easy to Install
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Customizable
Inspiration :
Emmanuelle Moureaux Installations : Tokyo based architect, uses color to divide / create spaces.
100 Colors, Color Factory NYC
Universe of Words, Tokyo
Ideation :
Key takeaways :
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Hanging photo wall (open square shape).
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Cozy, enclosed space.
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Interesting from the front + back.
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Placed in high traffic area = lobby.
