2. 1. Interview
Interview 2: Jessica
Interview: Sophia
In order to get a better understanding of the issue of being
It was during our second interview that I discovered that lost, I decided to interview someone that I know who has a
good sense of direction.
Sophia felt that she had a problem with getting lost.
Similar to Sophia, Jessica is a visual person who admits that
Sophia told me that she can get lost in a place as small as a her attention is drawn to attractive and interesting things in
“It’s all about
Wholefoods Supermarket or as large as a city. She also said her environment, especially animals. She said that because
she has a soft spot for animals she is always looking out for knowing
that she becomes disoriented when she exits a store.
Similarly, when she comes out of the subway, she doesn’t
“I can get lost them. I wonder if the fact that she is looking for animals
makes her aware of landmarks in the environment that they where you are
know which exit to choose, which then affects the amount in a place as would normally use as habitats, like bodies of water.
in relation to
of time necessary get where she has to go.
large as a city Jessica attributes her good sense of direction to spatial
awareness. She prepares for trips by planning her route with
everything else.”
She said that going somewhere repeatedly helps but it takes
time. She recounted that it took a year before she stopped or a small as a a map. She prefers maps to gps because, aside from the fact
that she expects gps to fail at some time during the trip, she
getting lost on her daily travels in Virginia. supermarket.” likes to know what is in the area surrounding the route that
she is taking, so that she knows how to get back on track if
she takes a wrong turn.
Sophia admits that, although she looks around, she doesn’t
pay attention to the names of stores. She finds her attention “It’s all about knowing where you are in relation to
drawn to visually appealing things. So, for instance, if she
sees something interesting to look at in a store window, she
goes in to check it out. When she comes out, she feels a little
disoriented.
Robert Gonzalez
Transformation Desgin
Fall 2012
Robert Gonzalez
Transformation Desgin
Fall 2012
Project 1
Direction
3. Plan Orient
Bring Landmarks Along the Path
• Plan your trip using a map or mapping website Look for...
• Note the transition points on your path • Interesting or Memorable Shops
(where you turn) • Transit Stations
• Note the neighborhood around your path • Food you like
• Famous or Historical Buildings
• Pubs
• Churches
Bring Large Stationary Landmarks in the Area
• GPS What direction is...
• Map • A body of water, e.g. the Hudson River
• Compass • A large landmass like the Empire State
• Directions building or a mountain
• Which direction are the clouds moving in
(Unless a storm is coming, this will remain
constant for most of the day. Check the clouds
before you go into a store or a subway.)
When orienting yourself, think in terms of North,
South, East and West. For example, the river is on
my right.
Project 1
Direction
2. Prototype
4. Pre-trip Exercises
2 of Each Songline
Without looking at the Make a song of your
map, recall 2 streest to planned trip. Use the parts
the noirth, south, east of your journey in your
and west of your planned song, like the trains you
route. Also name the need to take, or the street
districts (e.g. theater junctions upon which you
district) to the north, turn.
south east and west of
your route.
Virtual Walk Draw Your Way
Using Google map’s After you have planned
ground view, virtually your trip, try tp draw the
“walk” along the path path that you are going
of to your destination. to take without looking
Familiarize yourself with at the map. Include both
the way your path looks. landmarks that are along
Determine possible your path and in your area.
landmarks.
Above, draw a map of your trip from memory. Include any
large landmarks in the area, and smaller landmarks along
your path.
Project 1
Direction
2. Prototype
5. Trip Exercises Practice
5 Senses Find and Photograph:
Pause when you come to the landmarks and transition
1 Union Square South
(It is on E14th St)
points along your path (points where you change direction,
go inside or emerge from a building etc). At those points,
take a moment to completely experience the area. Is there a
distinctive or beautiful thing in the area? What are the smells
in the area? Does there seem to be good places to eat? Try
to engage all 5 of your senses to experience the area.
Photos
As you walk along your path, photograph your landmarks,
and anything else that interests you.
Notice:
• Distinctive/Historic buildings
• Churches Public Art Facade: “Metronome”
• Gas Stations
• Subway Stops
• Good places to eat or shop
Project 1
Direction
2. Prototype
6. Remember
If you lose your way...
1. Stop
Don’t panic.
Get out of the flow of the crowd.
Locate your landmarks.
2. Look at your map
3. Ask for Directions
Find a cop or a store owner and ask for help.
Project 1
Direction
2. Prototype
9. 3. Moving Forward
• Build from what she knows
• Create the next guide using a pdf for her smartphone
• Emphasize starting and exiting points
Project 1
Direction
