Invitation to Interact: The Public Space Project

Baxter, Uros, Ginny, Daniel




Design Questions

• Who is the Audience? Who are the Users?
• What are the Criteria?
• What is the Context
• What Research is available? What Research have you done?
• Prototype
• Test

Design Process
1. What are effective methods for observing and documenting activity and interaction between people and groups without influencing them or altering them?
2. What does it mean to “maximize” or “minimize” a system of social interaction within a space?
3. What design and narrative strategies exist to help in the design of non-textual interfaces? What are guiding principles of basic interaction design?


AUDIENCE

We are targeting people who use Madison Square as either a transect or a place to relax and enjoy leisure time. The users of our interactive project will need to be prompted as there are more that pass through than loiter. The prompt will have to be such that it grabs the attention of the passerby. It will either need to be of bright and attractive materials or it will need to intersect with the direct line of sight of the passerby.

CRITERIA
sound, touch, attractive shape

BRAINSTORMING

Tree of Ideas
Airing out Laundry
Mirrors on the Ground
VooDoo Doll
Bulletin Board
Tent






CONTEXT

Madison Square Park is idyllic and is bustling with arts and recreation opportunities such as outdoor exhibitions, book reads in the park live music, etc. The southern end of the park has a sandy open space that is opf high visibility and will be a ideal place to place our project. Of note are the current art exhibitions by Tadeshi Kawamata and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. In context there is quite a bit going on at the park. We believe this will improve the chances of interactivity with our project.

"Historic Madison Square Park is the vibrant center of Manhattan's Flatiron District offering flourishing gardens, lush lawns and cultural programs for all ages. Located on 6.2 acres between 23rd and 26th streets and Fifth and Madison avenues, the park has become an oasis for those who live and work nearby.

Until very recently, historic Madison Square Park was neglected and crime-ridden. People walked around it instead of going inside. In June 2001, after a two-year capital restoration project, Madison Square Park was rededicated. In the spring of 2002, a restored playground reopened to the delight of many children in the neighborhood."

RESEARCH

The Madison Square Park Conservancy website is an valuable resource. It contains information on activities and events in the park, as well as history of the park. This information is beneficial because lends additional context to the development of our interactive project. By learning about who visits and what happens in the park we can better plan a successful interactive project.


PROTOTYPING

Public space - Making of from Uros Otasevic on Vimeo














TESTING