Site + User
WHAT WE ARE DOING
WHY WE ARE DOING IT
Studying the SITE of this design activity (Central Square) and the USER we are designing for (kids)
To build a foundational understanding of who we are designing for and where that design will exist
MATERIALS
1st
2nd
3rd
Get in pairs and think about the kinds of observations you would like to make on your site walk
~30 mins
Grab pencil and paper to take notes and create sketches of places/interactions that inspire project ideas. You can also bring a phone to take photos.
During your walk, identify a specific site for your. Make note of its features, scale, and use
Welcome to Central Square!
Graffiti Alley
NuVu
MIT
Harvard
Park with the crazy swing
Elementary school
Charter School
Central Square serves as the traditional downtown for Cambridge, playing many roles as a vibrant, mixed-use district. It is central in many ways—it is the seat of City government, it is mid-way between Harvard to the west and MIT to the east, and it is surrounded by four dense, livable neighborhoods. It has restaurants, both chain and small business storefronts, and very active pedestrian use.
On your walk, be on the lookout for:
- Places where children do and do not spend time
- How people are assisting kids (Do they need help crossing the road or carrying items?)
- Issues/problems that stand out
- Behaviors of people in the area (do you notice any interesting patterns?)
- Emotional responses of children (frustrations, sadness, joy, excitement, nostalgia, etc.)
Examples of site observations:
- Where you see kids, both in motion and staying in one place
- Unique nooks or hidden places (ie graffiti alley)
- Natural and artificial elements that could be changed into other objects/devices
- Surprising uses of space (e.g., a bus stop that is a social area)
- Cultural diversity
Central Square Observation Walk
Central Square Observation Walk
Your project design is going to be model, but will be created with a specific SITE in mind. During your walk, you are going to identify that specific site and make note of its features, scale, and use.
It can be really helpful to have photos and/ or sketches to refer to once you are back in the studio space.
Designers have to spend time with their users to understand their needs and create products/services/systems that meet those needs. Observation is a great way to start getting to know more about your end-users. In this activity, you will spend time in Cambridge Square observing the people and the places potentially impacted by your forthcoming design intervention. Make sure you take notes and pictures to best capture what you witnessed on your site-user observation walk.
Time Estimate: 30 Minutes