UCI Informatics 282 | Fall 2018
Our experience proposal for Pacific City in Huntington Beach is a site-specific exploration into the water surrounding the city – the ocean and the river.
Unlike the ocean, the river is a forgotten space, waiting to be rediscovered. We propose a bicycle voyage that rediscovers the connection between the river and the ocean.
Introducing ArtifactQuest, the interactive augmented reality game for children of all ages. Using Balboa Park as our first test site, we have created a new educational tool to explore and link together all the different museums and historical sites from the area.
Homelessness is a major issue in the world. We decided we wanted to think outside the box on how to tackle the issue. One of the main areas of concern that we tried to tackle is apathy towards homeless people. Most people don’t know why people end up homeless. We wanted to create an art block in Hayes Valley to educate people on the homeless issue.
Located several miles south of LAX, the Redondo Beach Pier, located in Redondo Beach, CA, offers dining, shopping, and entertainment. The pier is popular with locals and tourists alike and has a long history with sports fishing. Currently, there is very little to attract children to the pier. Our proposal, Play & Learn, offers children and families an opportunity to learn about ocean conservation through play. Our mission is to offer a fun learning experience that is accessible to all.
The Full Bloom Experience
Part 3 final here.
Client: Seattle Parks and Recreation
Where: Seattle Green Lake Park
Intervention: “The Full Bloom Experience”
There’s something soothing about slowing down and listening to the patter of the rain, while being shielded from the rain. As you approach the installation, the immense flower or leaf gently unfurls, allowing you to sit at a covered bench.
1. The CAMP site of Costa Mesa
2. North Financial District of San Francisco
Links to Google Slides
Part 1: Three ideas to enhance the overall design of the sites
Part 2: Two options to build a self-parking system on the CAMP site of Costa Mesa
Parking at CAMP has always been a challenge. The deficiency of the parking arrangement has turned away a lot of potential customers. Our first idea is to turn valet parking into self-assistant parking using an existing parking app “ParkMobile”. In addition, based on interview survey, most people do not like the idea of valet parking as they shared their concerns about having a stranger to possess their car keys while being away.
Self-assistant parking is very common in busy places. The CAMP has always been overly popular and lack of good parking system. Replacing valet with self-parking meters could help the site to direct traffic more effectively.
The city can put in meters to set up a self-parking system on the site. The apps works with most meters that takes credit cards.
Using an existing app “ParkMobile” which has grown tremendous popularity among mobile apps enhances people’s experience when visiting busy sites. The free app makes it easy to find and pay for parking without running back to feed the meter. And visitors can reserve spots ahead of time for events. With more than a million spots and 3,000 locations across North America, we can integrate CAMP’s parking system to work with the mobile app by asking the city for special zoning for parking.
Idea two: Eco-friendly kids zone on the CAMP
Most of the children’s places in Costa Mesa are designed to be indoors. The outdoor campground setting at The CAMP provides a touch of nature unique to this site that can encourage children to play and experience nature. Currently the retail campus lacks kid friendly spaces. We propose to the Orange County Urban Development special zoning for parks a kids play area at The CAMP where kids can roam in the outdoor setting without leaving the urban area. The play area can be eco-friendly to fall in line with the mission of The CAMP, and can promote kids’ learning to support the city’s development.
Idea Three: Ally intervention in North Financial District of San Francisco
Option 1:
Setting up a self-serving parking system on the CAMP site to make parking more effective and to enhance people’s experience when visiting the busy site of CAMP.
Managing your Parking via self-serving meters
Moving in the park-it-yourself touch screen meters in the valet parking areas, to allow people manage their parking from the screen. First 2 hours are free, and after that the visitors can reserve the hours based on their anticipation of their time of visit. This is one option for those who do not want to download parking app to reserve time and manage their parking from their phone.
Managing your Parking via Mobile app
Integrating the self-serving parking system into mobile app to allow visitors to manage their time for parking before their visit. A lot apps offer free services to make it easy to find and pay for parking without running back to feed the meter. And visitors can reserve spots ahead of time for events.
Option 2: The CAMP Counselors
Feedback Received [just a couple of them…]
Revision History
Sunset Lookout – Phoenix
Our Project 3 Pitch is designed to be presented in front of an audience like a salesman would. The spoken portion of the pitch is in the “notes” on each slide, and is designed to be read at a normal speaking pace. The pitch is also broad enough that it can be presented to many different audiences without modification, but our primary target audience is groups of people who would actually visit the structure, be they tourists or locals. The pitch can also be presented to the City Council, or the Tourism Board or other influential groups around the city.
Happier dogs, calm(er) Algelinos, and a river (finally) becoming visible
We have two locations and five ideas.
Location 1: Pan Pacific Park, Los Angeles
Idea #1: Dog Playground
Idea #2: Walking Labyrinth
Ideas #3: Healthy Snack Bar
Location 2: Silver Lake, Los Angeles
Idea #1: River Tours for Kids
Free the river and give people a chance to get closer to the river
https://youtu.be/8hjVKcmjQ5Y
Allow access to the river
https://youtu.be/vLBwfuec5Gg
Integrate landscaped spaces near the river into one unified experience.
https://youtu.be/lj3RebPWOK8
How we imagine this unfolding:
An accessible and partly landscaped (and mostly wild) river bank will attract people towards the river. Schools leading guided tours for children could be great way to spread the news about the river opening up to
Clearly marked entry points will help channel people know the way to access the river.
The sights, and sounds of flowing water, vegetation, and chirping birds in and around the river will engage people and help them disconnect with the city, even if it’s only for a short while. People would love to slow down and relax in a space like this. They’d also love to be photographed and video recorded in an environment like this.
Like points of entry, clearly marked walkways towards points of exit, will help in managing the flow of people leaving the river banks and surrounding gardens.
All the images and videos that people would have collected during ‘their time with the river’ could be shared with friends, family and colleagues. This will help spread the word about La river welcoming Angelinos. It will also create momentum for a new movement to open more sections of the river for people and help Angelinos in getting closer to their river.
Idea #2: Carpool Access Only
Busy streets need to act
Way too many cars with vacant seats. Time to fix this.
(Don’t worry emergency vehicles and residents from the neighborhood can get in and out. Commercial vehicles from 9PM to 6 AM only).
https://youtu.be/FDxUCLP5G90
How we imagine this unfolding:
People living, and working in and around our location will be notified by the relevant department of LA County about the decision to designate Los Feliz Boulevard and Glendale Boulevard as carpool access roads. They’ll be informed how Silver Lake is working towards (eventually) becoming a car free zone that can promote a healthier lifestyle for all.
(Note: This notification would not apply to emergency vehicles, and electric cars owned by families with only one car. Also. commercial vehicles and heavy traffic will be allowed after 9PM and before 6AM).
People will be motivated to visit a part of the city that is discouraging cars in favour of bicycles and pedestrian traffic. By creating new parking spaces, before people enter this zone, and through better access to public transportation, we’ll be ensuring that people are not inconvenienced by the change.
Better pedestrian walkways, more bicycle lanes and a safer streets will help kids and elders play and walk freely. Lesser traffic will also mean cleaner air – another reason to step out and greet people in your neighborhood.
Clearly marked entry and exit points will help people find their way both in and out of the low traffic pedestrian zone. People would also love to talk about this with their friends and family and spread the word about LA’s pursuit of cleaner air and congestion free streets.
References:
Madrid city center going car free
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46403397
What we thought our cities will be like, in 1923. (Well, that did not happen ; )
Idea 1: An interactive TV installation to educate about ocean acidification
Huntington Beach is best known as Surf City, and the Pacific Ocean anchors the town firmly as its westward boundary. We propose to raise awareness about the ocean, specifically the phenomenon of acidification, which changes the delicate pH of the water and is a by-product of carbon dioxide and other human emissions.
Our proposal: an interactive tv environment that invites Pacific City goers to touch and learn about the ocean and causes of ocean acidification. Some of our ideas are represented here on this mood board. Given the topic, we could combine digital pieces with physical displays that further enable interaction with the water and biology of the ocean. We would partner with Earth Eclipse.
Idea 2: Local fitness app engages locals in site-specific outdoor activities
Participants get sponsored to compete in a health challenge that raises funds for the local chapter of a health organization such as the American Heart Association.
The fitness challenge features local spots where participants can scan a QR code when they complete the health challenge at that place. Outdoor fitness stations will be installed temporarily at Pacific City to facilitate the series. For example, a spot where runners can stretch or do pushups and situps. A running loop could feature QR codes to scan for mile markers.
Idea 3: An Outdoor digital art installation that focuses on raising empathy and awareness about homelessness and poverty in Huntington Beach. Most everyone is aware of the rising issue of homelessness in Orange County, but it’s easy to read the news and think there’s no solution. In fact, communities have been caring for the indigent and poor since, well, Biblical time. This project is in support of American Family Housing and the City of Huntington Beach’s efforts to house the homeless.
The installation will feature stories about local organizations and individuals who support and aid the neediest residents – a day in the life of a pastor whose church houses a shelter, a city health worker who does needle exchange.
A fundraiser at Pacific City complements the installation – one part is an expensive ticketed sit-down event to drive larger donations, and the second part is an inexpensive raffle or another virtual event that is more affordable and aimed at raising awareness among younger people and/or families.
Links can be found here:
Idea # 1 (Tunnels + pathways made from plastic bottles)
Location: Downtown Santa Monica near the pier
Nonprofit Organization/s: Sustainable Works, a nonprofit environmental education organization & The City of Santa Monica
Urban Intervention: Two to three tunnels made from painted, recycled water bottles constructed along the pedestrian, bike, and one-way (two lane) traffic paths on Colorado Avenue. The respected travelers can pass through these tunnels to experience them. They would be colored in blue tones, forming various waves to tie it to the ocean.
Santa Monica is a green city that promotes an environmentally-aware living through recycling and alternative modes of transportation. Since it sees many international travelers on a monthly basis, this could reach many audiences and make them more conscious of their waste within the city and worldwide.
Idea # 2 (Art installation promoting childhood cancer awareness)
Location: Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica or Santa Monica Place (where it is more enclosed, and less subject to weather restrictions)
Nonprofit Organization/s: The Pablove Foundation, a nonprofit organization specializing in childhood cancer and funding of pediatric cancer research (https://www.pablove.org/shutterbugs/) & The City of Santa Monica
Urban Intervention: A balloon installation over the promenade that represents cancer cells (in marigold to homage childhood cancer). Below, there could be installation panels or a small pop-up structure/playground detailing childhood cancer research information.
3rd Street already has a lot of culture and public art to promote both relaxation and expression. Since it is pedestrians-only, this would intrigue passers-by to get a closer look and engage with the installation.
Idea # 3 (Cutouts of yoga poses to promote free classes + women empowerment)
Location: The Palladio Mall in Folsom, California
Nonprofit Organization/s: Girls Inc. This is a network of local girls, managed by a nonprofit organization serving girls ages 6-18 in United States and Canada. Their objective: “Our research-based programming is delivered by trained professionals who focus on the development of the whole girl, supporting, mentoring, and guiding girls in an affirming, pro-girl environment. Here, girls learn to value their whole selves, discover and develop their inherent strengths, and receive the support they need to navigate the challenges they face.”
Urban Intervention: A set of life-sized cutout female figures spread across the mall. These figures will all be females performing either yoga or running. Images will include women of different ages, sizes, and life-stages including pregnancy. This will be to promote a free yoga class given every day for the period of two weeks. The purpose of this even is to attract the local female community at a fun event, raise awareness about the organization’s existence, methods of involvement with the organization, and a huge opportunity for donations.
Note: There is a yoga class that already takes place at the Palladio. It happens twice a week. This event will tap into the existing participants, but the aim of the event will be to increase participation and involvement of local community with the organization and the girls who benefit from the organization services.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Our Site
First, a brief recap! We chose Serena’s project two site, the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is in the Bay Area, nestled between Fremont, the highway leading to Dumbarton Bridge, and the bay. Wetland restoration efforts are ongoing and many animals and plants have been reintroduced within the area. The refuge, which is part wetland and part hills, is criss-crossed with trails for walking and running, and boardwalks stretch across the wetter areas. It’s a popular location for runners, hikers, casual walkers, pet owners, families, volunteers, bird watchers, and photographers. We’re hoping to create an intervention that connects existing users of the space more deeply with their environment.
About Our Nonprofit
Save the Bay is an organization that partners with local parks, wildlife refuges, businesses, and volunteer organizations to “protect and restore San Francisco Bay for people and wildlife”. They have conservation, policy, and education initiatives, and their efforts extend to many spaces around the Bay Area. We’re hopeful that interventions designed for them, in this space, would be applicable to many of their other locations as well.
Part 1: Three Ideas
Idea 1: Navigation & Enrichment
Overview:
Navigation app (for phone and watch) that provides direction and enrichment beyond a generic app like Google Maps, tailored to this specific location and including user-submitted content.
Why?
The space has few signs or maps, and it can be difficult to know where to find spots for activities, ideal running trails, and other niche uses. This app would make multipurpose use of the space easier, while engaging the community in knowledge exchange.
Features:
– Choose from different types of destinations, activities, and routes (runs, walks, family-friendly, pet-friendly, quiet spaces, good views, science/history facts, local events, volunteer opportunities)
– Guided workouts
– Family activity ideas
– User-submitted content (walking/running routes, favorite locations, favorite views, photographs from specific locations)
Idea 2: Citizen Science for Kids
Overview:
Citizen science app that encourages kids to virtually “collect”, identify, and learn about local plant and animal species.
Why?
Many families with young kids use this space, but it can be challenging to keep kids focused and engaged during nature walks. This app would give kids a mission, encouraging them to interact directly with the environment while learning about local species, the ecosystem, and conservation.
Features:
– For ages 4-12 (simple interface for younger kids; additional features & complexity for older kids)
– Add species to collection by photographing and identifying them
– View collection anytime, which includes a cartoon version of that species; add notes, feed animals & water plants, learn science facts
– Complete quests (“photograph four insects”, “find three different types of plants”)
– Earn badges/stickers as rewards for completing quests
– Digital coloring pages, matching games (animals to environment, predators to prey)
– Detects location and notifies when animated video is available to watch; teaches kids about a topic relevant to that location
– Parents can help with species identification, assign or adjust quests, access more detailed information to answer kids’ questions
Idea 3: Nature-Inspired Play Areas
Overview:
Physical structures that mimic the surrounding environment in an unobtrusive way, provide learning through play for kids, and relaxation for adults. These would be distributed throughout the site.
Why?
Currently, the space has a few standard benches and picnic tables, no playground, and no built-in activities for kids. Creating structures that blend in with or draw attention to features in the ecosystem brings both adults and children closer to the environment, while providing entertainment and physical comfort.
Features:
– Two types of structures: play & relaxation
– Mimics elements in the natural environment (e.g. a climbing web for kids, play areas built into hills, wooden geodesic dome to sit in and contemplate nature)
– Interspersed individually throughout the refuge
“The idea of a ‘green’ hour comes from research on creative play and health by the Centers for Disease Control and the Academy of America Pediatrics. Research also shows the best way to connect young people to a lifelong concern for nature, wildlife, and the outdoors is through regular positive experiences.” (nwf.org)
PART 2: Two Options for Nature-Inspired Structures
View in Prezi
Option 1: Physical structures for knowledge consumption
These structures, intended for both children and adults, would provide nature-related learning opportunities through educational games, signage, and imagery. For instance, benches at viewpoints, playground equipment mimicking natural elements or processes, and games that explicitly teach users about the local environment and conservation. Distributed throughout the site.
Option 2: Physical structures for learning through active creation
Also intended for both kids and adults, these structures would focus on experiential learning and include elements that are easily rearranged, changed, or added to over time. For instance, pollinator gardens, rearrangeable arches/benches/play equipment, living roofs, zen gardens, wish trees, etc. Distributed throughout the site.
PART 3: Happy Habitat – Eco Experiences for Everyone
Our proposal is a printed poster (or even a large postcard) with three layers and die-cut areas, as shown above.
Accessible text content (for screenreaders):
Continue reading “Project 3: Sahar + Serena”
Superblocks
A superblock or “citizen space” is the concept of repurposing streets currently occupied by vehicles within a nine block radius into mini-neighborhoods where pedestrians can freely walk around. The concept is taking off in Barcelona and other European cities. Road signs, bus routes, and other city infrastructure will need to be manipulated to accommodate the superblock. The superblock will create more accessible and public space that the city desperately needs. This would also increase the amount of green space in San Francisco.
There are many benefits of a superblock in the Hayes Valley area. Traffic is a really big issue in San Francisco. Based on a recent study, half of San Francisco’s congestion problem is caused by ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft. The width of the streets in Hayes Valley are already very thin. Two way traffic comes to a halt when a ridesharing service stops in the middle of the street. The extra congestion is also affecting air quality as well. San Francisco has seen fluctuating air quality from good to moderate on a weekly basis. Air pollutants may contribute to the leading causes of premature death in the city including ischemic heart disease; lung, bronchus, and tracheal cancers; cerebrovascular disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; hypertensive heart disease and lower respiratory infection. Air pollutants carry carcinogens that affect health negatively. Other issues superblocks can help solve are sedentary lifestyles and road accidents.
Open Market
As a result of the superblock, Hayes Valley will have more open space and therefore more opportunities to fill this space. These types of areas already exist around Patricia’s Green (the central park in the neighborhood) and are used for events such as fitness classes, craft fairs, and pop-ups for brands. Open air space has definitely made the neighborhood more unique, and there is an opportunity to use the space created by the superblock to provide an enriching experience for everyone.
Many of the businesses and events in Hayes Valley tend to cater to those who can afford them. Most notably, the lack of affordable dining in the area has made it difficult for the everyday person to partake in the exciting dining scene of the neighborhood. Furthermore, the areas around the neighborhood (in the Western Addition neighborhood) have become somewhat of a food desert, so access to food is also important in this regard.
We believe an open market focused on food will serve as a socio-economic balancer. This concept is borrowed from the open markets of Southeast Asia, where rich and poor alike enjoy a bite to eat. Food stalls can be set-up in the pedestrian areas of the superblock where vendors can serve fresh meals daily. For those without easy access to fresh produce, a farmers market can be set up at some of these stalls as well. Taking a queue from the Heart of the City Farmer’s Market in nearby Civic Center, a nonprofit could also be established to provide more affordable produce for lower-income customers in this space. Ultimately the open market could provide a more casual neighborhood feel that allows people of all socio-economic backgrounds to come together through food.
Building Empathy for the Homeless
While Hayes Valley is now a gentrified neighborhood full of dining, entertainment, and residences, there are many homeless individuals who call this area home. This is partially due to its proximity to areas where social services are available in Civic Center. It is also a relatively safe area where the homeless can find rest and perhaps a helping hand in the form of donated food and money. However, due to the relative safety and affluence, these individuals unfortunately stick out more and are often targeted by those with less empathy for the poor.
There is a clear opportunity to build awareness to the homeless neighbors and create a more welcoming atmosphere. As our proposal includes creating more accessible open public space, this also creates more reasons to beautify the space through art displays with homelessness being a key component. So much of Hayes Valley, specifically in the park at Patricia’s Green features art installations; however, much of this art doesn’t have an underlying social context. Why not include a message for social good?
We cite immersive public art displays such as Clarion Alley in San Francisco’s Mission District as an influence. This is an alleyway accessible by pedestrians that covered entirely by murals. Most of the murals are commissioned by non-profits to bring awareness to a social issue. In this way, Hayes Valley art could be a more dynamic version of this while still retaining the cleaner artistic aesthetic of the neighborhood. For instance, instead of murals Hayes Valley could feature outdoor sculptures that tell the story of the neighborhood and build empathy for the homeless.
Presentation
Sources
http://www.sfindicatorproject.org/indicators/view/40
http://www.sfexaminer.com/study-half-sfs-increase-traffic-congestion-due-uber-lyft/
PART 4
Project final presentation.
PART 3
Quick presentation of our proposal.
PART 2
Prompt: Take the best idea and create two different versions of the experience.
Of the ideas generated, we chose to proceed creating experiences around the community garden located in the Great Park in Irvine, California. Two competing options have been mapped out through the use of Manu’s model.
PART 1
Prompt: Brainstorm ideas for an urban intervention at either site used in the mappings project.
Listing of our ideas here.
With the presence and abundance of greenery and tech in this business complex, why not combine the two forces and create a space that showcases what this area is known for? This business complex is home to many tech companies so it’s only appropriate to create a nature/tech hybrid inspired by Team Lab, a team of “digital technologists” from Tokyo. No new buildings for construction will be needed for a “light show” type of artwork but it will require engineers to be able to program the lights whether they are pre-programmed or if they are activated by motion sensors. A lot of projection mapping attractions also have soothing music so sound engineers will be needed. Piano music will be activated by people stepping on certain areas, such as specific tiles on the ground.
Seating – Redefined. There are multiple seating options scattered throughout the business complex that fulfill people’s basic needs of sitting. What is missing in this space is a seating experience. When was the last time you, an adult, have been on a swing? If it took you some time to think about it, then it has been too long. These swinging seats (that can also be used as hammocks) take your seating experience to the next level. Imagine yourself swamped with work and in need of a break to let loose and destress. You walk outside to the courtyard, sit on one of the colorful swings, attach your phone to the seat’s bluetooth, and play your favorite de-stressing playlist in the swing’s built in speaker. You can simply lay down on the seat or swing all your worries away. You’re here for a seating experience.
Imagine working on a non-secret work project or having a project of your own, wouldn’t you like an outdoor space to go through your thoughts and collaborate with other members of the community? The natural scenery will open your mind up and set you in a more relaxed state to think about your next project or question more clearly. There can be white boards, glass boards, markers, erasers, outlets galore in this space for people to use. This space can also be used to host sponsored workshops for learning new skills that every company might be interested in. It is also a great place to meet and network with people.
These tables will be in the center of the courtyard area. There will be one larger communal table and a few surrounding the space (one on each corner of the middle square green patch).
The space will have these (shaded) tables and swinging chairs and nothing else.
The space will have these (shaded) tables and swinging chairs along with built in bluetooth speakers & charging stations. The speakers and charging stations will only be for the non-communal tables.
Prepared for the Apex Historical Society
OPTION ONE
PROJECT: Augmented Reality (AR) experience, transporting users through the historic timeline of Downtown Apex, NC.
LOCATION: Historic Downtown Apex, NC
CLIENT: Apex Historic Society
OVERVIEW
An augmented reality app, allowing users to see historically relevant information about the site. Overlays will include both information about the town and photo-realistic historic models of past timelines. Users can take a walk downtown in the 1800s, to see the devastation of one of Apex’s most infamous and destructive fires. Additionally, the design should allow toggling between the present and various periods of the past. The timeline may also integrates plans of future developments, to allow residents to see what Apex may look like in the days to come.
OPTION TWO
PROJECT: Historic Scavenger Hunt & Graffiti tagging AR Experience
LOCATION: Historic Downtown Apex, NC
CLIENT: Apex Historic Society
OVERVIEW
An augmented reality app, allowing users to search and discover historic buildings. The design encourages users to take the time to explore the town through a scavenger hunt and appreciate the numerous historic structures. The town has seen tremendous growth in the last couple of years and has become a hot spot of urban development. We propose an augmented reality experience that will facilitate creativity for adults and kids of all ages. A highlight of this experience is marking/tagging sites discovered (Graffiti). A scavenger hunt game combined with 3D graffiti tagging allows users to express their creativity while bringing awareness to the past.
OPTION THREE
PROJECT: Augmented Reality (AR) navigation tool for a major retail and entertainment center.
LOCATION: Irvine Spectrum, Irvine, CA
CLIENT: The Irvine Company / City of Irvine
OVERVIEW
A multi-use navigation app, helping users maneuver through the massive center. Through the app, users are able to plan a trip and then navigate to the nearest parking, as well as find the fastest route through each location. Users may navigate via an augmented reality experience – using their phone’s camera – in which the navigation is overlaid onto reality with arrows and pathways leading the way. Users may also switch to a more traditional map, in which their live route is tracked via an on-screen map. The app has potential for discovering sales, new locations, hotspots, parking, advertising, etc.
(Working Draft)
Idea 1: AR Technology
Balboa Park is a place that is visited by many locals and tourists on a daily places. There is plenty to do, see and learn. We were thinking about enhancing the experience by using AR Technology in an app. When people hold their phones over certain parts of the park, they can see the overlay of information and virtual objects that tells them more about the site they are at.
Idea 2: Scavenger Hunt Event
Every so often, Balboa Park hosts events that are free for guests to visit. We were trying to see how we can increase visitation and the overall experience. We thought it would be interesting to develop a scavenger hunt application where people will have to use clues and collect virtual objects. This hopefully not only gets more people to visit parts of the park that are less popular but also serves as a teaching tool as well.
Idea 3: Art Installation
We were inspired by “The Gates” exhibit that was located at Central Park in New York City. We thought it would be interesting to have local artists come together to submit ideas for an art installation. It would be interactive and something that only be there for a short period of time.
FINAL PRODUCT POSTED BY CHRISTINE BENEDICT HERE:
https://spark.adobe.com/page/Ww0uUTLLesAcu/
For Part 2, we have put our rough ideas into a Google Slide document.
The Hope Outdoor Gallery originally started as a graffiti park in Austin that has expanded to support local artists and give back to the community through job creation, children’s programs, and education. The gallery has also expanded it’s physical boundaries through local art installations that give exposure to local artists that otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity. A few of these murals are located at the Domain Northside in Austin, Texas.
Our proposal is to expand on this work by holding an annual “Art Walk” at the Domain where local stores display art from arts with Hope. This could occur in the evening and invite members of the community to visit the various shops, interact with the artists, and purchase their art. Customers would feel good about the transaction because they are getting to interact directly with the person benefitting from the sale. Proceeds from the sales would go directly to the artists with a small percentage donated back to the Hope Gallery.
Hope Gallery and the Domain would also benefit from increased awareness generated by the foot traffic from the event. The Domain is a lively and interactive retail-tainment area with restaurants, shops, and bars. This would be an ideal location for this type of interactive and fun event.
Orange County California is home to great weather, shopping, and lots of wealth in the U.S. (need a stat), but there are also over 300,000 people here who don’t get enough to eat and need help*. The Second Harvest Food Bank is working to end hunger in Orange County through meals for kids, groceries for seniors, and fresh food for families and individuals.
The District at Tustin Legacy would be an ideal site for a fundraiser for this important organization. The site houses a number of restaurants, bars, and cafes and has a wide variety of food and ethnicities. As an evening annual event, the Second Harvest Food Bank could hold a “Taste of The District” where shoppers can buy a “Taste Pass” for about $35 that is good at all of the restaurants and bars. Each restaurant/bar would provide a small plate or sample dish that represents them. Shoppers could stop in at any or all of the restaurants to sample their food and get their card stamped.
Volunteers from the food back would help run and promote the event and proceeds from the sale of the passes would go directly to the good bank. Local business would donate their food and would benefit from tax deductions and increased foot traffic/exposure.
The Domain Northside’s public area in the center of the shopping mall often attracts families with children, but it remains somewhat difficult to find interesting activities that entertain children in this space. Promoting family-friendly or kid-friendly activities in this space in unique and creative ways will enhance visitors’ experiences. One idea is an interactive digital screen or installation using art and technology. By incorporating specific themes, such as forest (nature) or animals, both adults and children can enjoy the area.
(Edited out idea) Food pop-up shop & Kiosk
The Domain Northside features a mix of luxury stores, restaurants, bars, and art and live music, but the shopping areas on the west and east sides, which are somewhat far from the middle of the mall, are not as lively. In addition, it is difficult to find restaurants and other food-related shops in these more distant areas. A small pop-up shop, food truck, or kiosk style store could offer shoppers foods and beverages, luring shoppers to visit other events occurring in different areas. Ideally, these small shops would be supported by already established restaurants, bars, and/or cafes at the mall, thereby expanding their reach to other shoppers.
Video to Urban Intervention: Hayes Valley
