Design Studies: Snooping in London

Further to my recent posts about ethnography, I thought I'd explain my findings during my primary and secondary locations.

My primary location - a place in which we are unfamiliar with, somewhere we do not regularly occupy, and therefore feel a reasonable amount of discomfort in - was the London underground system, primarily in the business district, stretching into the ExCel exhibition centre. These places were locations that I felt generally out of my depth, as busy business men smoothy made the transition from work to transport with their silent unspoken etiquette. This was something a student in particular would find intimidating, as you are an amateur to their world, and feel like you are getting under their busy feet. Do I stand? Do I give them my seat? What do I do when I can't reach a rail to steady myself? How do you get across the extremely busy carriage if you find the stop's doors are on the opposite side to which you are? Do you apologise if you brush up against someone? It's all easier said than done, but regulars to this do it with ease.

Oh, and apparently nobody apologies in London.

this was just the entrance hall, mid morning!

We also had to select a secondary location - somewhere where we felt comfortable, a place that we regularly visit. For this, I selected my local bus stop - in which I visit up to 4 times a day. I understand that if an older person were to come to the stop I would allow them on first so they don't feel like they are holding up the bus by getting on last, I'd also help them with any bags. I understand that you allow the people to alight the bus before I board. I understand that you only say "you first", "no you" a maximum of twice, or the politeness catch 22 will never end. I also understand, that at an empty stop you should always sit at the waiting seats towards an end, so that others arriving can sit on it without feeling they have to sit right next to a stranger, or do the awkward slide along. Not all stops have a "No Smoking" sign - but everyone from Scotland is aware of the law stating you may not smoke in a bus stop with 3+ sides. This means a post is ok to smoke at, a side with a roof is ok, but not two sides and a roof. I know all this because over time I have absorbed the unspoken etiquette.

All of these things are learnt through doing, but how could this be made more apparent for newcomers? My primary and secondary locations have highlighted that although I find my daily routine easy, I only perceive it to be easy as I have done it for so long. A new surrounding brings new customs to adhere to, but how can you prevent that awkward "oh look, here's an out of town-er" stare? This brings me to my next task:

Relating This To Interior & Environmental Design


Signs can be overwhelming. Yes, we need minimal signage to direct us generally, and warn us of serious dangers and hazards, but bombarding a person with ways in which to behave and react would be inappropriate - in fact it would do the opposite of it's intention and leave the newcomer even more intimidated by the whole situation.

So how can the design of the location help improve acceptable etiquette in busy a metropolis? Perhaps a simple floor plan on the carriage floor may help - similar to that of footsteps found on the ground at cash points, making people aware of how far away they should stand from the user for security and privacy when access private information, such as that of bank balances.

A consistent distance away from everyone means that there's less chance of the awkward squeeze, and perhaps align these with easy access to rails for each passenger to hold on to. Footstep places would of course need to be much closer together in order to hold a similar amount of people to present numbers, but by arranging them in a more logical fashion, it would perhaps allow for a calmer organised structure of people to travel - thus making it less daunting for newbies.

Pompidou Centre

Another thing that I found was missing was clearer signage to platforms. In a large crowd, it was difficult to see which way to go when switching line at one station. We travelled a lot on the DLR to Lewisham, however several DLR lines travelled in that general direction, although with different final destinations. Perhaps colour coded lines on the ground directing you to each platform would prevent people having to scout for signs - something that slows up crowds and irritates people who know where they are going. Following a simple thing like this would make it easier for people who have never experienced such a place before to blend in with the masses of regulars. This form of direction is regularly seen in hospitals, and an example is given above from The Pompidou Centre, Paris.

As far as The ExCel goes, it was quite well laid out, and made it easy for us to make our way around. It was more intimidating in terms of the social aspect, as we were out of our depths in terms of knowledge, rather than navigation.

Design Studies: Ethnography

So further to my last post, the next step was to read up on Ethnography.

                                     

taken from the linked site above

A condensed explanation is shown above, and further reading on this can be found in the link, also given above.

This process makes quite a lot of sense when you think about it really. Observe, realise, and only then design. I think we subconsciously take this into consideration, but a much more in depth approach needs to be taken when we design for a user. In a way - everything is service design. If it has a purpose, a use, or a reason for it's existence, it provides a service, regardless of scale. Pin pointing ways in which to reduce, time, effort and complexity is good design, and all this can only be realised through laborious observations, that may be lengthly to complete, but are invaluable when reducing down to a final outcome.

For example, myself and a few class mates took a short trip to London for a conference for our course. While travelling through the business hub every morning for the three day event, I found it difficult to understand how to behave amongst hundreds of black shiny shoed business men, with their Starbucks lattes, broadsheets and pin striped suits, all of which silently walk at 10m/s. They automatically understood the tube etiquette, which seemed to change for this line only, compared to the likes of Whitechapel.

Do I need to go on a course before boarding?

There were no signs to say you virtually do not talk while aboard the train. There were no signs warning you that there would not be any bin facility for the next 30 minutes of your journey. There were no signs to say you have to be extremely well balanced to be able to squash into a 20cm square area of floor space, with no access to a rail to steady yourself, as the carriage jolted forward - as well as no signage to say that you may not also brush into someone else, even if they are a mere 5cm from your face. This to me, was bad design. A floor pattern may of helped, giving people a plan to adhere to, a sign to be aware if you are taking things onto the carriage that you will soon wish to dispose of, you will not be able to dispose of it any time soon. These things would quickly come to light if someone was to spend time researching this from an ethnographic perspective.

Design Studies: There's a Moose Loose, Aboot Yer Hoose

Well perhaps not exactly a moose, more me - and no cheek about there being no difference thank you very much.

Anyhow, moving swiftly on - as the title suggests we were effectively let loose in our partners homes to "snoop" - a term psychologist Sam Gosling coined in his book of the same name. Below he explains what he researched.

For the original interview source and more from Sam Gosling, visit bigthink.

I was teamed with Joanne White of Textiles, who sent me several pictures of both her residence while at University, and her bedroom back at her parents home. 

Immediately I picked up on the "girly" factor - the purple bed covers and matching curtains in one, and pink in the other, along with an arrangement of toiletry products. There was also a kids pillow on one of the beds, and from this I assume she is playful and young, but not necessarily immature. Light hearted things like childish cushions may symbolise memories from being younger, and a longing to return to then, or in fact that Joanne herself is in fact just young at heart. Secondly, I noticed that on the wall there are framed school photos. These may be significant to her as she may be a relatively new school leaver and thus have sentimental value for it. I think it shows that she still deems that part of her life as valuable - enough that is, to warrant wall space. 

There are several coats hung up at the door, and as this is in her student residence room and not at a front door, I assume it's safe to make the assumption that they are all hers. From this I can gather that she is fashion conscious, as she has different outerwear for different occasions. To add to this, there is also a few clothes shop carrier bags scattered throughout the images, suggesting she clothes shops regularly.

There is a card on the shelves with a ribbon and heart on it, which is being held by a bear. As there are not several other cards to suggest a recent birthday, I assume this is from a partner, meaning she is not single. 

Amongst the items on her shelves, aside from the card, is the previously mentioned toiletries. On closer inspection of these, there appears to be several cans of hair spray - which could mean that she is image conscious, although I would assume that this is perhaps more geared towards evenings out. This is likely, as paired with the information gathered by the collection of coats and clothes shop carrier bags, it is safe to come to this conclusion. 

Further to the "girlie" aspect that I mentioned at the beginning, I have noticed that there are a few soft toys perched on a shelf in her bedroom at her parents house. These depict the same character that was on the cushion - so this may in fact be a specific interest in this character, and not a general children's character interest. 

Everything is neat and appears to have it's own specific place. This could borderline on neuroticism, but the bedroom used while at University is marginally messier - thus meaning that the tidiness could just be because the room at her parents is used less. Her University residence is more "lived in"- but not messy.

There is a bag in the waste paper bin to catch the rubbish - suggesting that Joanne is someone who likes things to be done properly, neatly, and efficiently, as by doing this it saves time later when emptying, and it also reduces possible mess.

Overall I would say Joanne is a tidy person without being a neat freak. Sometimes things may pile up during more stressful times, however her parents home shows she is a neat and tidy person when she has the time. I think she could be prone to getting stressed, and perhaps be slightly shy as there are few bold statements made in any of the images - however this could be a result of not being allowed to fully personalise rented accommodation.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Well, after the meeting I had with Joanne and a few others, it turns out the above is pretty accurate! She agreed with nearly all of it - and added further reasoning to my conclusions, all of which continue down the assumptions I had made.

Scarily, her analysis of me was also very accurate. From my images she got that I am bold, loud, outspoken about my beliefs and creative. She also got that I am borderline obsessive compulsive about my organising of things, pointing out that I often over arrange things - such as my hangers. Pretty much spot on (although I'm more things, not a horrid unbearable loud brute, I hope!) Another thing that was brought to my attention is my selection of Andy Warhol quotes on my bedroom wall. One stated that "one's company, two's a crowd and three's a party". From this she got that I'm light hearted, and up for having a laugh and enjoy company. She also got this from my halloween costume where I was dressed as a Pacman ghost. My choice of decor, namely the assortment of frames in the hallway indicate I am creative and take pride in presentation. My decision to tattoo the Andy Warhol banana to myself she said, was another indication to my personal beliefs - showing that I have no issues with being outspoken, and not concerning myself with what others think about me.

As I said, pretty accurate!

We also had to complete the Joharis Window task - a task that requires us to fill in adjectives into the relevant box, revealing areas of your personality that you may not be aware of. Groups of key words tended to be together under the various areas you may place them. The boxes include Open - which is the field that descriptions that are obvious to both you and others are places. Blind is the box that is traits obvious to others, but not yourself. Hidden is the field that are traits you know you have but others do not, and unknown are any other uncategorizable traits. Below are my findings (I used a standard set of 56 adjectives) :

Design Studies: Through The Keyhole

As part of our second semester coursework for Design Studies, we are required to select a variety of photographs of either ourselves over the past 10 years, or our homes. I couldn't find enough pictures of me ranging through that period so have decided to put my soul on the line and expose my life and home to the digital realm of the internet.

I have a sneaky suspicion that it is to do with our set text "Snoop" by Sam Gosling - which is coincidently mentioned in the other book I'm reading at the moment as well; Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell. Snooping about my belongings apparently tells those who do not know me a lot about my personality traits. Not surprising really. 

Cue Loyd Grossman's irritating mid atlantic accent:


"So, who lives in a house like this?" - well, me. Obviously.

Ding Dong, My Books Are Here!

Malcolm Gladwell - Genius! (In my metaphorical book, anyway)

Well, I have been having a busy week indeed. 

Several things seem to have been slowed up by what appears to be almost no snow, but alas there is not much I can do about it. 

a book aiming to convince industry
to convert to an eco alternative 

Included in the slowed progress was the delivery of several items I bought online - 5 of which were books for class. We were required to purchase Snoop by Sam Gosling, Change By Design by Tim Brown, and The Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam, the latter of which was an optional read. I also ordered Cradle to Cradle by Michael Braungart and William McDonough, and another Malcolm Gladwell book - entitled Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. Finally the remaining 4 were delivered today, awakening me from my deep slumber after a hard shift on the bar in our Student's Union. God, do students make a mess/drink a lot/are generally unpleasant! But, I must not wallow in self pity - I have books to read and things to do.

Aside from trying to keep on top of class related things, I have received permission from my landlord to paint/decorate my flat - what a silly, silly, thing to allow me to do! They will regret this I'm sure. I enlisted the help of Kirsty, a jewellery student, on the promise of pizza and a pint after work (the aforementioned hell hole of endless intoxicated students). 
Currently, I am sitting writing this post while looking at a wall that calls itself "Intensely Olive". It's not as bad as it sounds, I swear. The hall however, is purple. And when I say purple I don't mean lilac, or like purple heather, it's purple. E4 purple. Barney purple. PURPLE PURPLE, and I love it! 

In the purple hall, there will be baroque style frames all along the wall, finishing it off nicely, I hope. Finally, a house that's exactly how I want it. Not a grubby student flat, no dishes piled up and pizza boxes, no unclaimed socks in the living room, no mess, and no non-matching furniture. I may sound like a freak, but I have waited so long for this! 

I am nothing short of a real Monica Geller. And, in true Monica style, my work is never complete, so I am off to my Cath Kidston themed bathroom to continue painting! Concrete grey is next on my list for the kitchen, and lastly "Palm Springs" as a feature wall in my bedroom - that's just a fancy title for turquoise. 

All the above has just made me realise that when I read Snoop, I'm sure I will discover something about myself - as it's about as the name suggests, snooping around peoples houses to determine things about them! 

maybe it was Amazonian kittykats that caused teh book delays?