Make some noise: Graphic Design and Space
This group project challenged us to observe our own surrounding in order to get a better understanding of the signing, instructions and messaging that we walk past every day. We were asked to analyze different design aspects, such as layouts and formats, and had to create an object based on our research. Also, we were tasked to experiment with the for us students familiar signings and spaces in the DJCAD building, and we had to question the way in which we interact with them. The first part of our project included a research which took several steps:
We walked around the building and tried to identify as many signs/messages as possible and divided them into different categories based on their purpose
Then, we analyzed which typographies and colors get used for what kind of purpose. Also, we tried to understand which characteristics make a sign efficient or inefficient.
We walked around the building and observed the way in which people interact with their surroundings. We also looked at the way in which they use signs.
While doing that, we tried to look out for Insights, that could give us ideas and inspirations for our project. We spotted three insights.
Also, we went to the library and looked at projects that use signings and messaging in a creative way to create an interactive relationship between a space and the people in the space.
We collected some ideas and used them as inspirations for our own project.
Because of our research, we decided to create something people could interact with, combining graphics with a physical object. We had several ideas but the insight that inspired us the most led to our main idea. We observed that most people rush stressed through the corridors of the building and decided that we want to create something that helps to forget about everything stressful for a minute. We were thinking about different ways in which it would be possible to reduce stress and came up with the idea that we could build drums, as making loud noises was in our opinion a good way to compensate stress. When developing a visual language for our project, our main source of inspiration was the Pop-art style, as the colorful designs give a visual sense of noise.
Idea development process:
Visual language:
To explain the purpose of the project better, we decided to include symbols in our visual language that relate to our idea that playing drums could possibly reduce stress. The result was a street-sign inspired sign that consists of a symbol (meditating person) and text (Stress-free zone). We also added a drum symbol on the front of the drums as a kind of instruction. Furthermore, we attached statements to the drums, that point different stress-reducing activities out.
We placed the drums in several spots around the university building and observed the way in which people reacted and interacted with them and made some interesting observations
- In 1,5 hours 20 people used the drums, 10 girls and 10 guys, mostly young students in a group
- Most people used the drums in the entrance room of the DJCAD building, the main corridor was the least popular spot
- People that used the drums were laughing afterward
- Everybody walking past the drums looked curious at them
- Some people seemed confused
- The noise was too loud
Observation:
first sign:
second sign:
While doing the observation we realized that we made mistakes during the design process. When developing our idea we focused on the visual language, the colors and the signs we wanted to use and we researched different designs that express noise or relaxation. What we didn’t really research or test are the individual emotions and experiences created by the object. We didn’t realize that a lot of people experienced the drums in a completely different way than by us intended, for example, they were annoyed by the noise. After recognizing that problem we changed the sign behind the drums to something that encourages to rock on, and just have some fun. That message expressed the project much better.
This project showed me that it is important to understand what experiences the user gets from a product/object or design before installing it. Also, I realized that combining graphics with a physical object is not quite the same than designing something that goes on a flat piece of paper. Something that surprised me a lot was the fact that we are surrounded by massive amounts of signs, messages, and instructions which we subconsciously use to find our way around.