Report on Learning Outcomes and Influences on Work
The module Responsive Environments discusses the use of public spaces and tries to analyse how technology might contribute to an improved use of public space. The purpose of this second report is to list the learning outcomes as well as work and theories that influenced the observational study that was conducted at the Union Canal next to Harrison Park in Edinburgh, Scotland. Specifically, the second phase of the observational study is focused on the technical realization of an idea for an intervention in the chosen public space and discusses different realization methods and how they might benefit the public space.
Choice of Type of Intervention
After having obtained information from the several visits to the chosen public space for the observational study the next phase was to think about possible technical realizations that might improve or disrupt behaviour in the space. In this case an intervention was chosen that is ought to complement existing behaviour because, as the study showed, at certain times of the day the problem is avoided by considerate visitor behaviour. The successful installation of the intervention would therefore only act as an additional object of security and would facilitate an effective visitor flow[1] between cyclists, pedestrians and joggers.          Â
Learning Outcomes for the Module
This module helped to gain knowledge about user research adapted to public space. The students had the chance to go through the different stages of a design process: Â From the research about the location prior to the observation to the choice of method, which is in this case an observational study, to collecting data in form of video and photo material including interviews. Furthermore the evaluation of data and putting it into context via the blog, prototype sketching with Max/MSP Software and the final design product (blog and demonstration of prototype) were all part of the design process.
Moreover the module helped to deepen the knowledge about up-to-date tendencies in Digital Design. The lecture material prior to the individual work phase was inspiring and informative because it explained the context of the coursework and also the current trends in Interaction Design, Digital Media and Responsive Environments. An important factor is also that the lectures helped to get an overview over the field of Responsive Environments and their meaning across different Design and Art fields.
 Influences of Existing Work and Theories
The work for the module was inspired by other studies and work mainly in terms of obtaining information about existing work regarding installations that enhance human behaviour in public spaces, specifically for cyclists and pedestrians. The research phase helped to find out about current:
Accessories as products that aid in security/design gadgets for aesthetic purposes
Installations by government such as warning signs on roads and the like
Urban design in cities that decide how public spaces will be used in advance. Makes a difference in quality and quantity of outdoor activities in public spaces and choice of transport in the daily life of a person
The IDEO method cards inspired the work as presented in this blog as well. Â Especially one card inspired the idea to get an interview from a representative of the council to receive another kind of insight and information beyond the knowledge and attitude that local visitor have. The purpose was also to interview the representative about the problem area that was observed and which the intervention was based on.
Another aspect that influenced the work were preconceptions about the use of public space in different cultures. This fact is part of the urban design aspect that was mentioned before. Especially the way it affects the use of public spaces plays an important role in the preconception forming. If different forms of urban design in cities had been unknown prior to the observations study, the final prototype might have been very different.
The Creative Engagement Model is a human-centered perspective model of active audience engagement with interactive systems. When forming the final concept of the prototype this model influenced the thinking process. The difference in the case of the intervention described in this report is that the audience would quickly understand what the purpose of the installation is because there are similar objects and technologies integrated in the daily life of people. Apart from this aspect one of the primary goals was also to design a concept for active audience behaviour since the public space is also used actively by its visitors.
In summary it can be said that the main aspects that influenced the design process and the final prototype as presented in this blog were theories and work were preconceptions about the use of public space in different cultures and the importance of urban design across European countries. Moreover installations supplied by government institutions as well as product- and industrial design accessories that aid in security but are mainly design products for aesthetic purposes played part in forming a concept because they helped to learn what work has already been done in the field.
One of the main learning outcomes for this module was, for instance, the opportunity to get a better understanding of user research, which was in this case adapted to public space. Furthermore the module helped to deepen the knowledge about current trends in Digital Media and Interaction Design as well as the broad field of Responsive Environments that the module was based on. Apart from that the lectures helped to get an overview over the field of Responsive Environments and their meaning across different Design and Art fields.
[1] “Effective visitor flow“ is defined in the blog post from the 16th of April 2014
