Foot UI - Tactical Urbanism
Foot UI is a set of explorations on how to create casual interactions between people in public spaces in a way that encourages distancing and safety. Along with research and concept generation, my role was mainly to prototype to ask questions. This was the first time I had gone beyond the screen onto the world, far away from finger swipes. I thoroughly enjoyed creating and envisioning a future which involves foot interactions.
Sustainable development goals
Tags
Processing
Projection Map
CIID
challenge
We were asked by the faculty to take a walk on the first day around San Jose, which led to identifying the following challenges.
- People make an effort to avoid each other. Makes it feel like there is no community.
- San Jose people are just starting to create a sense of belonging.
- Could we create a playful urban intervention that brought back a little bit of engagement?
outcome
FootUI explores different ways in which the distanced line markers at grocery stores and banks could act as a space where people could interact. Through projection mapping, Foot UI creates light and safe interactions using only one’s feet in order to encourage connection the people around you.
The motivation of these interactions is to break a bit of tension and fear between each other.
The motivation of these interactions is to break a bit of tension and fear between each other.
Prototype
Aim: to gauge the mood on the path.We started with exploring the space around a bus stop at Parque Nacional. Putting in 🙂😐🙁 on the ground with tape and footprints leading to them in chalk. And a message in spanish saying, "How are you doing today?"
- People may avoid stepping on your "art", possibly out of respect.
- The city is full of colors, it takes a lot to get people's attention
- During commuting times, people are tired and mainly trying to just get home.
Based on our learnings, we reframed our problem statement:how can we create small moments of casual interactions between people in public spaces in a way that encourages distancing and safety?Which led us to the markers on the floor which were a recent development in the urban environment outside government offices, supermarkets etc. as a more stable space to design an intervention for, with people waiting in queues.
Markers we found outside a government office
Sharing circle - How can I invite someone in my mental space by sharing a physical space
Bodystorming to experience what this interaction might feel like
Projection mapped prototype using Resolume Arena - trying to materialize the experience
p5.js + Resolume Arena - sharing via NDI - dynamic elements from p5.js to engage in a fun share-space
Experience Prototype
We then went out to try our prototypes in person. Because of the COVID situation in San Jose, we tested out the interaction with members from the cohort.
Top view - pedestrians playing with the Ball in the installation
People began to place the ball in the start position - Carrying over of ritual from a normal ball game
Just me sitting on the staircase and controlling hte ball with the mouse - toggling between p5 and resolume.
Mohit and Sachin playing with the installation. Even though I was controlling the ball manually, they got lost in the experience, believing it was real.
Learnings from prototype
- A few people started to notice the intervention.
- As there were no instructions, people were interacting with it as they felt like
- Unless inviting, people may avoid stepping on your "art", possibly out of respect.
- Because San Jose is full of colors, it takes a lot to get people's attention.
- During commuting times, people are tired and mainly trying to just get home.
Some reactions from the cohort members
- “It would be fun if there were some insects/ants on the ground to stamp” - Mohit
- “Feels so real” - Anonymous
- “I love how the ball comes back. I don’t have to fetch it” - Ana