Design Reveal : Solution to Homelessness
This semester, the Studio 2 and Studio 3 classes are partnering up for a couple of projects. The first project of the semester is a very interesting one and involves a topic that lays close to my heart, homelessness!
The goal of this project is to come up with a solution to homelessness. The parameters are very broad, providing much creative freedom to the designers. Our professors made it very clear that this project is more about the research and design development more so than spacial design. Our classes, Studio 2 and Studio 3, got together and brainstormed "what causes homelessness, how homelessness affects others, and how do we define 'home'". We were then assigned to come up with our individual solutions.
When I began designing my solution, three words stuck out to me: Education, Kindness, and Fundraiser. After watching many interviews of the homeless/formerly homeless, I learned what many of their struggles were. One important one was that they didn't know where or who to turn to when they became homeless. Without regular access to the internet or a phone, most homeless people aren't able to find the necessary resources to find help. Another thing I learned was how much others’ kindness made a difference. In one particular instance, it was the simple act of gifting a backpack of supplies that ended up saving one man's life. In another instance, donating a clean pair of socks made someone's day. The act of kindness makes all the difference in this world we live in! Fundraising was also a key topic that I wanted to address in my design.
The solution I came up with was to create an art exhibit that would attract people to the destination, which would educate them, spread kindness, and raise money. My idea was to get Coca-Cola to sponsor the project and provide one of their high-tech, touch-screen vending machines. Here, visitors could be directed to volunteer resources as well as homeless shelters and other resources. Also, a video educating on homelessness would be available to watch. Coca-Cola products would be sold and Coca-Cola would match all of the beverages sold. On top of that, bio-degradable and reusable care products including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine products would be sold for the homeless. Below is a process drawing and displays the functionality of this art exhibit.
Perhaps it's my background in experiential design that sparked the idea of creating an art exhibit rather than something more related to interior design, such as a low-income housing dorm or free health clinic. I would love to explore those ideas as well.
This pop-up art exhibit would be placed in the largest parks of cities with a high concentration of homelessness. It also gives the homeless the chance to take in the recycled Coca-Cola products for profit. As the sponsor, Coca-Cola receives a ton of marketing and gets the chance to give back!
Below you can see the design of the exhibit. Starting with the floor plan in the circle call out and then showcasing the front and side elevations below. I included a small wash of color with the red to emphasize the idea as well as the Coca-Cola branding.
Below is a detail of the vending machine graphic so you can see how it will be operated!
I hope you guys enjoyed reading this post :)
See ya next time!