Design Research Studio

Max Stockdale
28 min readAug 30, 2023

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readings, notes, and process | max stockdale

Aug. 29

Kat Holmes(chapter 1 & 2)

Case Study 1

Sep. 4

Blade Runner ||“Gensler Aviation” || “Why Europe is remaking its rail stations” “I’m not your inspiration…” || “Tech. Trends 2023"

reflection: It was interesting to read about the new innovations + tech that’s emerging in the airport industry. Holmes’ perspective on inclusive + accessible design plays a very important role in the purpose of a design but more specifically, who it is designed for? Digital tech has taken over these spaces to improve efficiency + connectivity, however there are groups of people that still struggle to read + decipher this information. In terms of the project we are working towards, I realize the importance of research + seeking out the perspectives of people being excluded by a solution. One big question that came up in the readings was, “Who is the world designed for?” There are so many luxury experiences for the upper-middle class however, there’s a lack of spaces that cater to kids, families, and specifically people dealing with sensory needs. Doing some of my own research, I began looking into how to create spaces that allow for a wide range of abilities. One article found links between exclusion + physical pain, but there have also be studies that show people that are less stressed tend to spend more money + have a more enjoyable overall experience. What if there was a way to give the more “typical” passenger a luxury + “de-stress” experience. Navigating airports is already stressful enough, so having to navigate the space in a group or with kids with sensory needs can be overwhelming. Crowded spaces, excess light + noise, etc. can be major triggers for individuals with sensory processing disorders. Overall, this investigation into personas, different types of passenger experiences, and current designs structures helps me begin to consider a bigger impact of my own project and specifically think about who might be excluded to create a more inclusive + accessible environment.

Sep. 5

“areas of opportunity”

  • signage + way-finding
  • gate/terminal design
  • baggage claim
  • local history exhibit
  • children’s waiting area/play space
  • airport branding

Case Study 2

Sep. 6

-avenues of interest-

  • personalized travel experiences
  • airport branding
  • children’s play-space
  • goal: visual; mix of digital + physical

Initial project ideas:

  • redesign logos, interface, more personalized experience(branding)
  • “window seat experience” aerial view projection mapping(incorporate learning opportunities + kid’s space
  • wellness + health services(yoga rooms, relax space, meditation
  • personalized plan + dining experiences(restaurant experience)
  • redesign transport around airport terminals(more than just a rushed hallway)
  • incorporating local exhibits + Pittsburgh history + art
  • “AR play rug: aerial plane views, comfy place for kids + family, learn about air travel, other books, activities, or games; iPhone or iPad app to interact with animations + information on the rug(discovery/kill time)

Sep. 8

-mind map-

Sep. 9

Copenhagen Airport(passenger experience + airport design) || “The Beauty of Spaces Created For and By Disabled People” || Kat Holmes Ch. 4; “Inclusive Designers”

reflection: Diving deeper into the passenger experience + airport design, it made me reflect more on my traveling experiences and what things I tend to focus on. I have always been a shy, anxious person, so places with lots of people + high-stress environments can be socially exhausting for me. Typical Routine: take bus to airport, print out boarding pass(in-case phone boarding pass doesn’t scan), quickly through security, and then immediately to my gate. The last couple of times I’ve flown back home to Texas, I’ve been close to the same gate every time. However, I always have to check my gate and then I let myself relax a bit and maybe get some food. While everyone does have a unique passenger experience, stress + anxiety remains a constant in many of these passenger groups. Business travelers are generally used to this routine but a larger demographic of people travel only a couple times a year. Therefore, I feel like there should be a shift to a more relaxed, leisure travel journey that allows the passenger to pick and choose their moments of interaction. Learning more about the passenger experience, motivations + sense of autonomy seem to be consistent themes throughout this research. How might we…create a sense of belonging in a space that is typically catered to the business traveler? Some bigger takeaways from the readings include some main skills to be a successful inclusive designer. These include: the power of shifting “who makes,” identifying ability biases + mismatched interactions between people and the world, and creating a diversity of ways for people to interact/engage in an experience. These themes bring us back to the building block of design: “ability.” Throughout out life, we gain and lose abilities so it’s important to adopt a more flexible definition of a designer in order to impact a wider audience and not leave anyone out.

Sep. 11

guest speaker- Ryan Feist(designs airport lounges)

  • chase sapphire lounge(agency, fluidity, openness, and aesthetic)
  • barrier to entry(try to intentionally create a more open space
  • “soften the space”-consider materiality
  • consider demographics for each airport; family-focused
  • incorporate local artisans, easter eggs, materiality + local fabrication
  • kid’s area: gradual, transitional space(dedicated kids space)
  • insight: travelers are looking for ‘out of the ordinary’ experiences; wide variety of experiences, energetic, add “life”
  • average time in lounge: ~ 60–90 minutes

Refined Insights(airport retail experience)

Refined insights:

duty free shops + convenience stores positioned immediately after security(passengers complain about having to travel through a maze of retail offers); travelers spend more when they are experiencing lower levels of stress

-incorporating a “de-stress” zone after security + before duty-free shopping

ex: allow for a more natural transition into the “town square”; integrating digital platforms to put emphasis on the demands of millennials and Gen Z; retailers face a shift to younger, less affluent travelers; increase in leisure travel

-moving towards more omni-channel marketing approaches to create a seamless shopping experience that allows connection between platforms + in-store shopping

ex: maximizing dwell time; ex: leveraging AI + data collection to improve overall customer experience; ex: personalized content, integrated mobile apps, luxury vending, product + food delivery

initial ideas + how might we…

  • airport branding; creating a cohesive ecosystem; digitally connected with food options, brands, travel to and from airport, brand language and visual identity
  • kid’s play-space/lounge area; gradual transitional space, out of the ordinary experiences
  • local exhibit + artwork; history
  • how might we design a kid’s play-space, situated in an airport?
  • how might we create a luxury, first class experience in-flight that’s based on the overall journey, culture, and destination?(food, multi-sensory)
  • how might we create a play space that is both secure + easy for parents to supervise?
  • how might we ensure that children with diverse abilities can fully enjoy and engage in the play space?
  • how might we create an education kid’s space/lounge to teach children of the art, culture, and/or local history?

considerations for kid’s lounge:

  • no i-pads or phones for augmented reality unless integrated into the environment
  • normal seating for parents; charging stations
  • range of activities + abilities

Airport Research

Sep. 12

refined “how might we…”

  • how might we create a luxury experience during flight that’s based on the overall journey and culture/food of the destination?
  • how might we teach children valuable airport safety/how different processes at the airport run day to day in engaging activities?
  • how might we create a space for kids with sensory needs?
  • how might we design a kid’s lounge/play-space for kid — young adults with sensory needs?(excess noise, intense lighting, boundaries + social cues); patient staff, re-charing stations for parents; cockpit play stations; reserve/book time
  • how might we…create a space that allows families to recharge and children to stay engaged with multi-sensory activities for a wide range of abilities? (book shelf for parents + kids)

Kat Holmes Ch. 7; “There’s No Such Thing as Normal” || “When will the ADA evolve to digital age? || “What Can a Body Do”-Hendren || Airport Design + Operation(pp. 261–266)

reflection: Starting with very broad research questions can be very intimidating and sometimes difficult to find the best place to start. “Thick data” + “big data” introduced in the chapter from Holmes, seem like a good, encompassing solution to successful research. “Big data” searches for areas to investigate while “thick data” can help zoom in on specific problems areas to see what’s actually going on. This combination can help us understand areas of exclusion + create more inclusive and flexible solutions. The term “mis-matched interactions” was introduced in an earlier Holmes reading, however, it was interesting to see how it could be broken down into different categories. Permanent, temporary, and situational mismatches to help us consider why people on that spectrum want to access that solution. Applying this to ADA requirements, it was discouraging to learn that digital interfaces(websites) are not considered a place of public accommodation. This causes so many problems for people who struggle accessing information online. As the world moves towards more digital tech + integration, we need to become more and more apparent of the artifacts we design and utilize tools like interrogative design and “what if” statements to refine our search and guide us on the design process.

inspo:

Sep. 13

speaker — Annie Ranttila(Chicago Department of Aviation); arch. background

  • 2022: 68.3 million passengers (annually)
  • beginning to accommodate terminals for many more flights
  • history of O’hare + Midway airport(improved terminal design)
  • role: signage + way-finding(~3,000 way-finding signs); ideally no one notices
  • currently not much consistency( in signage between terminals)
  • issues: accessibility(ADA requirements); no small text, not enough contrast, not acceptable mounting heights; streamline passengert journey
  • multiple versions of symbols/icons makes it difficult to follow
  • revisions: instead of huge panels: vinyl stickers that can be easily replaced; temporary vs. permanent signage
  • ongoing signage discussion: multiple modes of transportation, aging/obsolete signage(printing tech., sustainability), digital vs. static signage, directories, interactive or smart displays, dynamic flow info., personalized displays, augmented reality and other smartphone supported tech
  • what to do with old signs? -more intentional sustainability efforts
  • way-finding needs to help the people who are not comfy in airports
  • illuminated vs. vinyl signs(using all LED signs in the future)

initial story:

there’s so many people that are unable to have the first class/ “window seat” experience; I want to design an airport lounge concept for kids + families (sensory needs?) that allows them to have a luxury experience in a “de-stress” zone

Sep. 15

resources:

https://familydoctor.org/condition/sensory-processing-disorder-spd/#:~:text=Parents%20of%20children%20with%20SPD,SPD%20may%20feel%20isolated%2C%20too.

https://airportimprovement.com/article/catering-small-visitors-can-yield-large-returns#:~:text=Consider%20this%3A%20A%20family's%20average,families%20into%20happy%2C%20repeat%20customers.

“A family’s average dwell time in an airport play area ranges from 45 to 90 minutes. That’s a lot of time to capture concessions sales and build customer loyalty. Creating and maintaining a family-friendly play area can go a long way toward turning traveling families into happy, repeat customers.”

experts to reach out to:

occupational therapists, child psychologists, architects + designers with experience in inclusive design, special education teachers, parents of kids with sensory sensitivities, airport accessibility managers, local community centers + programs

Sep. 17

eco-system + journey map

initial eco-system + journey map
considerations for kid’s play-space

Sep. 18

stu ideas:

design an airport lounge concept for kids + families that creates a welcoming space to engage visitors in an interactive art installation

proximity to retail + shopping

average time spent: 45–90 minutes

Current Pittsburgh Int’l Play-spaces:

  • FlyKids at KIDSPORT(Mr. Rodgers + Daniel tiger exhibit)
  • mothers’ nursing lounge
  • sensory room: Presley’s Place

Presley’s Place(near Gate A9; key features)

  • 1,500 sq. feet
  • partnered w/ Children’s Museum + American Airlines
  • realistic airplane cabin
  • private + soundproof spaces
  • adjustable lighting
  • transitional space between concourse + play-space(real-time flight info. + interactive terminal map)
  • sensory-friendly restroom with adult changing stations + adjustable sink
  • various calming activities
  • comfortable seating

for travelers with sensory sensitivities + their families to de-escalate prior to boarding

inspo:

  • chaos from family traveling
  • Mr. Magorium’s wonder emporium
  • science center: miniature railroad
  • learning express concept? — test toys
  • mall play-space
  • creating more meaningful buffer zones

Sep. 19

“How can we ‘design for all’ using the constrictive Persona?” || “Persona Spectrums: Building for Inclusion + Accessibility”-Sarah Dzida

window seat experience + persona spectrums

top 10 considerations:

  • accessibility + inclusivity
  • multi-sensory engagement
  • visual communication aids
  • variety of play zones
  • flexibility + modularity
  • safety + comfort
  • thematic + storytelling elements
  • staff training + support
  • visibility + monitoring
  • quiet zones + retreat areas

current direction:

  • focus on creating small, modular experiences that could be incorporated into this environment(variety of activities)
  • different zones for different abilities + with communal/central spaces
  • continue developing persona spectrums
  • updated: “How might we…design immersive zones of activity to create an inclusive + accessible airport play-space for a wide range of abilities?
  • narrow down themes for the multi-sensory activities(aviation, Pittsburgh history, art, culture, air travel guidelines
  • penny-press machine: staple of Pittsburgh museum + culture

concept:

kid’s lounge/play-space: interactive art installation, re-creation of miniature scenes(aerial views) of:

  • Pittsburgh scenes
  • top flight destinations
  • passenger destinations

“window seat experience”: single seat, open/close windows, adjustable settings, simplified pamphlets about pre-flight safety talk, coloring station with a cool view; visibility for parents, have to be strapped in while coloring; call button for assistance

“interactive floor rug experience” for younger children(simplified version of science center railroad); time of day changes through the duration of your visit; building blocks/legos to build legos on the terrain/guidelines to build famous, simplified Pittsburgh landmarks, bridges, architecture, etc.; mini-runway + tower control; interactive floor projection

“story-time nook” cozy corner with bean-bags, comfy seating, wide selection of kids books related to air travel and how to manage those stresses of travel + classic children’s books

“supervise + re-charge stations” comfortable seating for adults, visibility of all play structures + activities, charging stations, proximity to snacks, water fountain, + restrooms

theme ideas:

Flight + Adventure Center:

  • Given the airport setting, this theme could incorporate aviation-related elements, such as airplane-shaped play structures, a control tower climbing area, and educational displays about flight

Art and Innovation Hub:

  • Pittsburgh has a vibrant arts and innovation scene. The playspace could incorporate interactive art installations, creative play areas, and technology-focused activities

Neighborhood Exploration:

  • Pittsburgh is known for its distinct neighborhoods. The play-space could have different sections inspired by neighborhoods like the Strip District, Lawrenceville, and Squirrel Hill, each with unique play features.

sources:

“Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) and the Family Inclusive Airport Design Experience”

link: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2549335795?accountid=9902&parentSessionId=hG42z2LiARept9KP%2B01wN9nfHHaJFRYcxn%2BZB5Z1ZVc%3D&pq-origsite=primo

storybook design for FwASDs to anticipate the airport experience

Inclusive Resources:(all had positive outcomes for FwASD)

  • storytelling in adapted format
  • one-day awareness training for airport staff
  • design of an easier way-finding system to navigate through the airport
  • design of a quiet room available to FwASDs
  • design of priority check-in + priority access through security control

Issues in airport environments for ASD:

large, noisy spaces, long queues, and difficult way-finding

FwASD emotions during air travel:

exhausted, overwhelmed, + anxious

*travel enhances children’s personal development, boosts their knowledge + capacity for understanding, and provides communicational + relational skills*

Sep. 20

resources:

For Monday:

  • visuals, mood-boards, initial sketches(printed)
  • readings + notes
  • develop more refined persona spectrums

Who might be a good resource/experts?

  • Pittsburgh Children’s Museum(exhibition designers, camp programs, and teacher education)
  • 5–10 questions related to designing a kids play-space + learning about the intended/unintended audience

Sep. 24

“From Day One to None: The Lifespan Design Challenge” — Patricia Moore || “What if Accessibility was also Inclusive?” — s.e. smith

empathy map + progress:

Sep. 25

empathy mapping + initial sketches
moodboards + concepts

Sep. 26

feedback from pin-up:

  • refine window seat experience: super heroes or favorite tv/movie characters flying past the window; more interactive/adjustable; tactile buttons + controls
  • combine projection mapping with playful rugs: weather; real-time projection/seasonal changes; “building a city” activity ; re-directing the flow of traffic(logs changing flow of river exhibit)
  • organic + rounded feel
  • how can I also make it a comfortable setting for parents?

Sep. 27

peer review feedback(elise, sam, teresa, tara, john, jasmin, and jacky)

  • consider materiality: cork(more sustainable than wood); what materials would be the easiest to clean; safest materials
  • higher structure to see a “forced perspective” of an aerial view
  • popular themes: how air travel works, educational + getting in routine of air travel
  • takeoff/landing noises
  • physical scale model under glass(projection mapping overtop?)
  • kid’s boarding pass(seat number/station per family); character themes: superheroes, favorite tv/movie characters
  • “building excitement for the flight ahead”
  • miniature versions
  • interactive library spaces(looking up on the ceiling; clouds/stars)
  • tips + tricks to help kid’s cope with air travel(“jello of being in flight”)
  • experiences(more than just books about air travel) to help kids reduce stress about flying; learning the function of different icons
  • how to tire out kids? — magic of flying to a new destination

Feedback from Daphne

  • world map, cutesy airline name
  • consider scale + size
  • side elevation view
  • windows without the animations so the continuing space is not as intimidating
  • refine sketches + figure out how to connect the space

Oct. 3

space considerations:

scale + size: ~1,800 sq. ft (2,000 sq. ft max)

design elements:

-organic, natural elements

-colors, shapes, and shadows

-entry tunnel

-modular pebble furniture(light weight + easy reconfiguration)

-integrated bookshelves

-interactive projection mapping(real time weather?)

-large,soft aerial rug

-window seat experience(mock plane + window animations)

-kid’s travel books(stresses of air travel)

-games, crafts, activities, + imaginative play

-personalized boarding passes(takeaway)

-zones of activity + passport/stamps

-clouds, rolling hills, three rivers?, stars, blue sky(how can I mimic different times of the day, different seasons, different weather conditions)

-interactive wall mural(happy color stations)

-aerial view artwork/craft?

Research Question:

-how might we design an immersive, accessible, and inclusive airport play-space for kids and families(ages 2–10) to allow them the space and time to become acclimated to the routine of air travel therefore relieving stress and anxiety + providing an overall positive, memorable, and meaningful travel experience?

Feedback from Greg Russo

Director of Exhibit @ Pittsburgh Children’s Museum

“years of experience developing, designing, prototyping, fabricating, installing, maintaining, and repairing exhibit spaces”

How do you balance educational content with interactive/fun experiences?

-prioritize experiences, allow content to emerge from the experience

-don’t let educational content drive the experience

-let the experience drive the design/concept

-kidsport playspace: designed by children’s museum 10 years ago, moved locations a couple times, due to constant renovating + reorganization in this space; current kid’s play spaces are off the beaten path and more hidden

-goal to prepare folks with sensitivity issues(acknowledging their needs/abilities)

What technologies, if any, have you found effective in enhancing the learning and play experience for children in exhibits?

-less screen + more play in the physical realm(burn off as much energy as possible)

-most kids use digital tech throughout the flight so maybe avoid the use of too many screens + devices and focus more on physical elements and interactions

-projection mapping(battling natural light); laser projectors work more effectively in bright rooms; open-ended experience(similar to water-play activities)

-natural light: adds a nice level of warmth to the space(unless projections + LEDs dominate the space)

What strategies do you use to encourage social interaction and collaboration among children?

-tends to happen naturally(building a common ground)

-individual activity(“parallel play”); arrangement of seating/desks makes kids look at each other even if they are focused on individual activities

How do you incorporate accessibility and inclusivity into your exhibit designs?

-examples: tables at multiple heights(visual diversity)

-giving enough room around the space(don’t overcomplicate)

-enough space to relax + burn off energy(enough space to breathe)

-universal design: seamless connection between the space

-avoid designing disconnected experiences

Do you know of any exhibits that offered physical or digital takeaways, and if so, were they utilized and/or considered successful?

-physical takeaways can be difficult, especially in an airport setting(parents want to have to think about less stuff/items); instead think of digital tools

-social media moments + sharing the experience with friends + family

-artwork/crafts could be difficult to manage in these spaces(main worries: health, safety, and cleanliness concerns)

-could they leave something behind instead? Mural of names/little sketches, leaving written memories/feelings; community art space/mural

What materials do you find most effective for creating durable and safe play spaces for children?

-HDPE(industrial plastic; semi soft material used for kids furniture; design variety of colors)

-very durable + easy to wash/sterilize

-brands: play board + color board

-most used: HDPE playboard: ¾" pieces fastened together

What considerations should be made for maintenance and upkeep of play spaces in high-traffic areas like airports?

-loose cords, restarting computers, unplug, resets, lighting issues, wifi capabilities

-lots of phone calls + “whisper down the lane” to figure out maintenance issues(usually simples fixes but not designed for the maintenance staff who are not trained how to navigate this equipment

-goal: have the most robust system + test it for a bunch of different scenarios

-try to break it, cause if you don’t someone else will

How do you approach the use of signage and wayfinding within exhibits to support independent exploration and learning?

-wayfinding + signage: titles like “water-play” keep it simple and quickly identify the interactions + theme of the space. A name like “kindness gallery” is a little more abstract which also could be beneficial if you are designing for that element of surprise/discovery. However, visitors can only unlock so much from a title(simple terms)

-titles that are identified quickly(there’s always going to be an element of surprise)

-provide visual maps + be concise(in-tune staff that offers a suggestion to a stressed family)

-title: designed for the first time visitor + speaks to the activities in the space

Takeaways:

-prioritize experiences over educational content

-materials: HDPE playboard or color board(durable, soft, safe, and clean)

-less screens + more play in the physical realm

-laser projectors work better in brighter areas

- “parallel play” activities + building a common ground

-consider the arrangement of seating/desks for collaboration

-accessible + inclusive: seamless connection throughout the space

-allow enough room to breathe, relax, and play

-social media moments + sharing w friends + family

-can kids leave something behind on a community art project/mural?

-create a robust system of tech. so that it is easy to maintain/fix

-test this system under a lot of different scenarios

-create a simple title that can be identified quickly, designed for the first time visitor, and speaks to the activities in the space

Oct. 4

updated description of space: “Sensory Skyport” -immersive kid’s playspace + reading area that helps families relieve stress + anxiety of air travel(goal: prepare children for routines of air travel in a magical, educational, and memorable way)

written storyboard:

  1. family of 4 slowly gets through security
  2. quickly move to gate to make their flight in time
  3. maintenance delay(2 hours)
  4. gate agents recognize this family is stressed + recommend checking out “Sensory Skyport”
  5. follow signage to kid’s lounge/experience
  6. self-check in booths at entrance(personalized boarding passes;(questions: check-in for flight, pick available seat #, travel buddy, and destination)
  7. personalized kid’s boarding pass is printed, scanned, and gate agents say “have a nice flight”
  8. entry tunnel guides visitors into mock airplane experience
  9. guided to seats, buckle in, press button next to window to begin flight simulation, open window shade, watch views below, travel buddy flies by window, light turbulence + safe landing at your chosen destination(5–10 minute experience)
  10. kids + parents/guardians unbuckle, de-board the plane, and enter a soft room with zones on activities for variety of age groups + abilities
  11. a) 2–5 year olds: interactive projection mapping experience with aerial views of Pittsburgh overlaid with real-time weather visuals, simple blocks/buildings to play with

b) 6–10 year old: soft play-space + reading area(kid’s books related to stresses of air travel; interactive/community wall mural, penny press machine for small, meaningful takeaway)

c) quiet rooms(2–3): specifically for families with children who have sensory needs(pebble seating, comfortable lighting, adjustable settings, adapted activities/play areas)

12. parents/guardians are encouraged to play + relax alongside their children; charging stations throughout the space; access to water fountains + restrooms

13. time spent: 45–90 minutes(exhausted from the experience, the kids fall asleep during the flight, parents are more at ease, overall + positive travel experience

current play-space “title” ideas:

after talking with Greg Russo(Director of Exhibits @ Pittsburgh Children’s Museum), I began looking for names that are simple, easy to identify, and designed for first time visitors(ex. “Water-play” or “Backyard”)

Imagination Airways | Cartoon Cloud Cruisers | Enchanted Air Express Dreamscape Airways | Skyscape Airlines | DreamyDrift Flights | SerenitySoar Airways | MellowMotion Kids’ Corner | LazyLounge Play Nook | CozyCloud Kid Zone | SerenitySoar Play Spot | Storybook Skies Airways |Cozy Cove Airlines | SkyLounge Airlines

refined(shorter):

CloudCove | SensorySpot | CozyCove | SkyNest | SkyLounge

other title ideas:

-Spirit SensorySpot(spirit airlines; mock airplane experience: skinny, rock hard seats, lots of turbulence, always delayed)

-AA Sensory Spot(american airlines)

current design decisions:

  • modular “pebble-like” seating with diversity of seat heights(comfortable for both kids + parents/guardians)
  • integrated charging stations throughout the space, access to water fountains + restrooms
  • 2–3 quiet rooms: designed for kids with sensory sensitivities; more privacy + adjustable room settings to adapt to the visitors’ needs
  • window seat experience: short, mock flight experience where kid’s check-in with their personalized boarding pass and fly to the destination of their choice with a flight buddy(fav tv/movie character or icon/historical figure); light turbulence + buckle in(airplane safety routines + getting kids prepared for air travel)
  • integrated/hidden book shelves; kid’s books about traveling, air travel, stresses of air travel, airplanes
  • interactive projection mapping experience: large, sculpted floor rug designed to depict an aerial view of Pittsburgh(simplified); projection: real-time weather/interactive clouds; wooden blocks to build little towns/cities; LEDs + projectors change the time of day(ex. science center railroad exhibit)
  • community art project/wall mural: what can they leave behind?
  • penny press machine with air travel symbols(plane, baggage claim, etc.)
  • entry tunnel(build excitement + mimic airplane tunnel)
  • check-in kiosks + scan boarding pass(questions: name, seat #, travel buddy, destination)
  • refined titles: SkyLounge, SkyNest, CozyCloud Airlines, SensorySpot (fictional kid’s airline or mood/vibe?)

Goals: accessible + inclusive | multi-sensory engagement | visual communication aids | variety of play zones | flexible + modular | safety + comfort | thematic + storytelling elements | staff training + support | visibility + monitoring | quiet zones + retreat areas

For Monday:

  • how might we + overview of concepts
  • 2–3 labeled moodboards
  • storyboard of overall experience
  • personas + empathy map
  • renders, sketches, models
  • references to research + design decisions

Feedback from Monday:

  • pre-security experience(Presley’s Place); families could visit a week or so before their flight
  • activities to blow out kids’ energy(more exhausting activities)
  • exit experience(final, memorable takeaway experience)
  • could there be smaller zones of activity throughout the airport?; passport system
  • mini baggage claim/mock security checkpoint/transport + pick up area
  • what activities do adults participate in at the airport and how can we translate that into a fun, engaging activity/experience for kids
  • create more takeaways + activities that kids can bring on the plane/to their gate
  • adjusted time: folks usually have closer to 45 minutes
  • parent airport routines translated to kid’s activities
  • window seat experience: favorite concept from feedback; have different buttons that play flight noises, turbulence, change the time of day, and cycle through different flight buddies
  • zone ideas: coloring activities, check bags, security check, boarding, transportation, kid’s shop/retail, proximity to food options

Oct. 27

modeled in maya + substance painter

inspo for aerial artwork/rug

sketches

Nov. 6

continued ideas:

-how do I connect these spaces?

-how should I incorporate branding into these experiences?

-where should these stations be situated throughout the airport?

-how many stations should there be?

-what small, physical takeaways could I add to this experience?

ideas for window seat experience:

-located between gates, overfill seating for kids + families

-accessibility from gate(adds extra privacy)

-near restaurants like fast food(brings in the target audience)

-attached to a wall(only can see the exterior of the plane)

quiet spaces + wheelchair access:

-refine window seat experience(add open window space)

  • for final: create 4 different versions to pitch(original, wheelchair access, closed off quiet room, additional gate seating)

Plan:

  • customized boarding pass for kids
  • reading area
  • aerial rug + projections
  • window seat experience

Aspects to Develop:

  • available charging stations + high speed wifi
  • bookshelf design + how to integrate into the reading environment
  • refine buttons + interactions + amount of seats(window experience)

Feedback:

reading area: scale down the space, needs more elements(bookshelves, games, charging stations, colorful vinyl window covers) what defines it as a kid’s space?

window experience: maybe 2 seats instead of 3 wide(saves more room + unnecessary), refine buttons, figure out locations, more condensed

rug + projections: celing to wall experience, possibly prototype + tuft rug design, figure out scale, rug vs. tunnel system, interactive games(step on all the yellow bridges in under 10 seconds)(clouds + weather projections)how might we incorporate buildings + 3D elements? how do the colors change with the projection? should it be more detailed or more simplified?

final presentation

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