Exploring Experiential Information Environments
Yvette Shen, MFA, Assistant Professor of Visual Communication Design
Elizabeth Sanders, PhD
The Ohio State University
Abstract from 2021 SEGD Communication + Place
The goal of this “research through design” exploration was to investigate how information environments that reside in physical space can be designed to encourage people to visually express their own thoughts and feelings on the topic at hand while they collaboratively create meaning with others. The study employs a case study method with five full scale information environments that were designed to elicit and facilitate hands-on, asynchronous contributions from passers-by in public space. A co-design process was used to create the environments, the tangible materials for expression and instructions for use so that people could contribute their own thoughts and feelings to the given topics. Based on the observations and interview results from these case studies, we discuss the possible benefits of co-designing information environments, and the principles of making experiential information environments with tangible materials in public space.
Read more in the 2021 SEGD Communication + Place journal and other papers at https://segd.org/academic-design-research.
Communication + Place is the official research journal of the Experiential Graphic Design community. Published online, the journal features articles from both academics and professionals advancing the XGD profession through creative research, curriculum development, project reviews, and user-centric testing.
