Creating Scenic Route

Instructor: Sean Donahue/ Ben Hooker

Group members: Julianne Weiss/ Hyemi KIm

How can designers effectively intervene in public spaces? I collaborated with Sue Yang and Hye Mi Kim to conduct a series of people knowing experiments through both high and low tech methods.

Low Tech: The Little Men

Our goal here was to intercept Art Center Students on their predetermined paths across campus. 

The Vehicle: Little Sculpted Men 

The Setup: Little Men were stationed around campus with a silhouette poster beneath them and a postcard beside them. The silhouette read a riddle that hinted where the man wanted to go next, and the postcard pictured the little man in that spot. Each spot led to another and finally brought the little men back to their point of origin (via a loop).  

 The Method: Hide and seek. Hye Mi, Sue and I secretly documented people interacting with the men. We began by setting them on very short , arbitrary paths and progressed to more lengthy and complicated routes that followed a story line. 

 After a series of experiments, the little men became familiar faces on campus and the trust level amongst students grew. As the story of the route became stronger, so did the level of participation. We narrowed down the best methods improve interaction - 

– For people to participate, the experience must look deliberate and designed.

– For people to leave a paper trail, give them exciting tools. Use markers (sharpies), not pens. If they're going to make a mark, they want their mark to be visible.

– The stronger the story-line, the stronger user involvement will be.

– The user always want a prize.