This series of posts are thoughts and responses to the Designing for Usability course at Parsons School of Design.
I really enjoyed the class I took on Urban Interaction Design, where for one assignment we had to reimagine the public functions of a park (Coleman Park). We conducted site research, and had to observe and interview people around the park. It was a good opportunity to get a glimpse into communities, and we learnt a lot about pros and cons of each design choice, where some people might get attracted to the park at the expense of others. It was also interesting to read about the history of the park, how it started, its heyday and how it became less popular over the years. I’ve learnt that public spaces are intricately entwined with the communities it serves, and their roles change over time. The state of public spaces are, to some extent, a reflection of the communities they serve.
From that assignment, I realized I enjoy feeling the pulse of a place, put the ear to the ground and hear all the stories the place has to tell. I enjoy all aspects of the research, from the people watching, interviews, discussions on possibilities, and bringing ideas to life. Often, I think that the amount of time we spend on each project is way too short, but then again such are the constraints of graduate school. It was also difficult to ask passersby questions, or to even get them to participate. As that project did not require user testing, it was hard to gauge if our designs will be of any service to the community.
For our StuyCove project, one of our interviewees was quick to emphasize the impact this will have on their community, and thanking us for undertaking such a task. We have a responsibility to use our skills, processes and insights to create better environments for all who come into contact with the park. When the maps and signages are up, passersby can find their way around with less time spent, time which may be better spent with their loved ones. When plant information is in place, more park users may feel intrigued about the natural world around them, and may take steps to be more environmentally conscious. These are aspirations which I feel very privileged to be able to contribute to.
The biggest challenge awaiting us would be getting varied feedback, and how we respond to it. Currently, much of the sense-making activities flow through the park manager, from the people we interview to the resources we gather about the park. It would be interesting to see how the general public react to our designs, and how we measure change, and how we adjust our approaches.
