Micro UX: Glasshouse
Exploring, exploding, exploiting process, criticality and interaction in relation to user experience design.
Brief
Design a way to transform a public place into a feminist space.
Team-mates
Jumleena Bhagawati, Weiting Chi, Jennoir, Yanxu Chen, Kimberly Rodrigues, Xiyuan Han (Cyrus), Harry Solomons
Date
20/04/23 - 27/04/23
Title: Peasant Kermis. Date: 1665.
Welcome to week 1 of Micro UX. In this blog, I have presented our documentation of the start of our research on spaces and deconstruction of the brief itself to build a better understanding of what exactly we are going to design in this subject matter.
- Roadmap -
- Research -
We started our research by asking question regarding what is feminism, what it includes, what does different spaces look like etc. We wanted to clarify the specific aspect of feminist spaces we want to explore. Are we interested in physical spaces, virtual spaces, or both? Do we want to focus on urban planning, community organizing, or cultural expressions?
Below the chart represents our questions and our findings related to our research.
- Discussion -
We examined our findings regarding feminist spaces and their impact on individuals and society. We explored the various aspects of these spaces, such as their goals, methods, and challenges. As a collective, we acknowledged the importance of fostering inclusive, empowering environments that promote gender equality and challenge oppressive systems. Additionally, we recognized the need for continued conversations and research to better understand and support the growth of these spaces.
Then we conducted a literature review to understand the current state of knowledge on feminist spaces. Read academic articles, books, and relevant publications to familiarize ourself with key concepts, theories, and debates in the field.
Analyzing the brief
We decided to go back to our brief and analyzing it thoroughly, we focused on the following key points to gain a better understanding of the project requirements and goals:
Project Objectives: We identified the specific objectives outlined in the design brief. What is the desired outcome or purpose of the project? Understanding the objectives will help you align your design solutions and deliverables accordingly.
Target Audience: Determine the intended audience or users of the design. Who are they, and what are their needs, preferences, and characteristics? Understanding the target audience will guide your design decisions and ensure the final product meets their requirements.
Constraints and Limitations: Identify any constraints or limitations mentioned in the brief. This could include budgetary restrictions, time constraints, technical limitations, or any other factors that may impact the design process. Being aware of these constraints will help you develop realistic and feasible design solutions.
- Activity -
To collect data and analyze your research question we decided to do some feild research.
Field research plays a crucial role in designing a feminist space, as it allows architects and planners to better understand the unique needs and perspectives of women and non-binary individuals. By actively engaging with these communities, designers can create spaces that are not only functional but also cater to the specific requirements of their users.
We chose this method of research as the process of field research involves observing, interviewing, and collecting data from the target demographic. This hands-on approach enables designers to identify potential challenges, such as safety concerns or accessibility issues, and develop innovative solutions to overcome them. In turn, this leads to a more inclusive and empowering environment for all. In addition to understanding the practical needs of the users, field research also sheds light on the cultural, social, and psychological aspects of a feminist space.
Surrey Canal:
Public Spatial Features:
/bridge space/uneven terrain (was a canal)/
good vegetation/near residential & schools/
weak lighting/low security/
Common Way of Use & Usage:
Cycling, Pedestrian & Recreational Walking
Quiet (🚶♀️~🚶♀️🚶♂️)
Pedestrian characteristics:
many cyclists/mothers pushing baby
stroller/drinker and smoker/
Proportion of women (*/total): 20% (approx) Possibility of space utilization: under-bridge & corner spaces/cycle lane /lawn/
Peckham High Street:
Public Spatial Features:
/street/commercial area/transit/
Common Way of Use & Usage:
Pedestrian & Transport
Busy (🚶♀️🚶♂️~🚶♀️🚶♂️🚶♀️)
Pedestrian characteristics:
large traffic/many mothers/hard to distinguish the gender from clothing/
Proportion of women (*/total):50% approx
Possibility of space utilization:
street corners/public bench/bin /postbox/manhole cover/street lamp
St Jame's Square:
Public Spatial Features:
/grass space/quiet area/rest space/near the
office area/clean and tidy/closes at 16.30
Common Way of Use & Usage:
Pedestrian, Resting & Business Chattering
Quiet (🚶♀️)
Pedestrian characteristics:
few people/business persons/significantly
fewer women/reading/eating/passers-by/
Proportion of women (*/total): 10% approx
Possibility of space utilization:
lawn/bench/circle road/
St Jame's Park:
Public Spatial Features:
/near political & royal areas/tourist spots/
flat openness and solemnity/male power statue
Common Way of Use & Usage:
Recreation, Attraction & Transport
Busy (🚶♀️🚶♂️🚶♀️~🚶♀️🚶♂️🚶♀️🚶♂️)
Pedestrian characteristics:
business person/tourist/crowd/obvious gender
characteristics
Proportion of women (*/total) :40%
Possibility of space utilization:
steps/open space/the area next to the statue/lawn/sidewalk/
Bank:
Public Spatial Features:
/near political & royal areas/tourist spots/
flat openness and solemnity/male power statue
Common Way of Use & Usage:
Workspace, Important Monuments
Busy (🚶♀️🚶♂️🚶♀️~🚶♀️🚶♂️🚶♀️🚶♂️)
Pedestrian characteristics:
business person/very few tourist/obvious gender
characteristics
Proportion of women (*/total) :10%
Possibility of space utilization:
steps/the area next to the statue/lawn/sidewalk/
Presentation -
In our presentation, we delved into the field research conducted on the topic and examined the findings from various angles. We aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of our observations from our research by highlighting the key points and discussing the implications of the results. Through this analysis, we were able to identify trends, correlations, and potential future directions for further investigation. By synthesizing the collective knowledge, our goal was to offer valuable insights and contribute to the ongoing conversation surrounding this area of feminist space. Ultimately, the presentation served as a platform for sharing our findings, fostering dialogue, and inspiring further exploration of the subject matter.
- Evaluation & Feedback -
After presentation the class came up with the following insights to aid us with our concept and design further down the road:
1. It was emphasized that we needed to find the audience for our design.
2. Our observations need to be further analyzed.
- Reflection -
After analyzing the feedback we realized that we need to further our research on this topic. Over the weekend we planned to do more research and engage in discussions on feminist spaces. We realized how the insight of our research could allow us to incorporate elements that foster a sense of belonging, promote healthy interactions, and celebrate diversity, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being of the inhabitants. We realized collaboration was the key and by actively engaging with the target demographic and incorporating their insights into the design process, architects and planners can create environments that are not only functional but also empowering, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse communities they serve.
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