ResearchInformed Design for Urban Planning.
At 3x3 Design, we use practical knowledge of today’s complex urban systems, collaborative and tireless engagement, and insights gleaned from context-based research to help clients launch lean, resource efficient projects that create social value.
Generate ideas and unlock value for social purpose.
Design Collaborative Problem Solving Expand presence, establish credibility, and enhance capacity for streamlined projects.
Research Insights in context
Communicate Improved Public Outreach Connect organizations with their users to identify shared values for increased traction.
Tested Design Strategies Contextual strategies that build on existing assets for reality-driven solutions.
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what we do We apply design thinking to urban planning issues, from place-based programming to
SERVICES Research Data Mining Geospatial Analysis Market & Policy Analysis Social Network Analysis Systems Analysis Applied Anthropology
economic development, to help our clients problem solve and rethink our cities. From
Design
conception to completion, we
Service Design Placemaking Public Realm Programming Brand Experiences Growth Strategies Change Management
listen to our client’s objectives and provide thoughtful solutions that serve client and user needs.
Communications Community Workshops Crowdsourcing platforms Capacity Building Workshops Technical Writing Communications Design Data Visualization & Infographics Brand Collateral & Messaging Web & Application Design
OUTPUTS
IMPACT
Engagement Tools
Smart City Solutions
Our team builds culturally responsive and technology enabled tools to enhance public outreach and motivate action.
Insights for improved operations and urban innovation.
Effective Programming and Services We examine vital city services from the user’s perspective, and help align project goals with financing and policy for improved performance and outcomes.
Community & Economic Development Leverage local assets for aligned growth.
Place-based Strategies From public realm programming to wayfinding, we craft culturally relevant experiences that peak interest, drive foot traffic, and reinforce area identity.
Organizational Innovation Expand capacity for enhanced performance.
Environmental Design We create spatial strategies that captivate users for enhanced workplace, retail, and urban experiences.
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how we work 3x3 brings a new approach that draws on urban planning and service design to develop resource-efficient contextual solutions with private sector speed and efficiency for the complexities of the public realm. Our process helps organizations:
expert-led & Research-based A multi-stage process: led by designers, using applied ethnography to uncover insights into human needs.
humancentered design
5-step Process
Collaborate with stakeholders to service needs and markets; Create user-centric solutions to build a support base and grow;
Participatory design
Accelerate project delivery to reduce costs and increase traction. A collaborative process: facilitated by designers using creative activities to involve stakeholders and generate ideas.
User-led & generative
5-Step Approach: Effective problem solving requires iteration and collaboration. We use both Human Centered Design and Participatory Design to connect clients with their end users, define painpoints, and quickly collect vital input. Deliverables become actionable for our clients, and valuable for their end-users.
1. Assess Landscape Define gaps and state goals. Our team employs mixed-method design research to efficiently collect necessary data, hone in on key issues, and map stakeholders.
2. Engage Stakeholders Set the framework for consensus building. Our team onboards relevant stakeholders to gather necessary inputs, uncover new perspectives, and cultivate knowledge.
3. Identify Opportunities Pinpoint impactful, quick-win ideas. Our team synthesizes findings from the landscape assessment and stakeholder engagement to surface insights and determine avenues for new solutions.
4. Design Solution Construct appropriate and responsive tools. Our team employs participatory methods to generate ideas and develop concepts for and with our clients and their end-users.
5. Prototype & Iterate Maximize audience traction. Our team conducts prototyping and simulation to test feasibility and refine concepts for measurable impact.
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CASE STUDIES Our work follows a simple method: ResearchCommunicate-Design (R-C-D). Research to understand user needs and uncover hidden opportunities. Communicate to engage with stakeholders, streamline workflows, and reduce liability. Design to create contextual and responsive solutions for diverse audiences and users. The following case studies showcase our method in context.
As Cronicas Tiradentes Entrepreneurialism and economic growth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Redstone Townhomes Plan Neighborhood identity and redevelopment in Jersey City, NJ.
Game On! Water Street Strategic Placemaking in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District.
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AS CRﾃ年ICAS TIRADENTES Entrepreneurialism and economic growth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Created a model, supported by Studio X-Rio, for understanding local economic networks to strengthen business services, inform resource allocation, and fortify partnerships between municipal actors and downtown creative industries. 窶｢ Identify existing business clusters to understand gaps in programming and pinpoint opportunities for connecting enterprises with current resources and financing. 窶｢ Lower communication barriers between decision-makers and local businesses to guide nuanced economic development and cultural programming. 窶｢ Incentivize small-scale entrepreneur collaboration to amplify synergies and reduce conflict between groups.
Aligned entrepreneurial needs with municipal economic development programs for sustainable downtown revitalization in a historic business district.
Programming and Services Mapped socio-economic networks to reveal industry clusters and organizational interdependencies; conducted policy review to detect opportunities for connecting entrepreneurs with public programs.
Engagement Tools Launched a communications campaign with culturally-responsive storylines to engage entrepreneurs around publically available resources and complementary business activities.
Place-based Stragies Constructed an exhibition and workshop series to connect entrepreneurs with one another and policymakers, facilitating network formation, peer learning, and ‘cross-pollination’ for area redevelopment.
Historically significant plaza that interlinks economic and cultural activities of downtown Rio de Janeiro and served as the centerpiece for municipal revitalization projects. Communication and engagement material that highlights networked economic activity and local cultural assets. Interviewing local business owner. Samba school practicing at their performance space on Praça Tiradentes.
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REDSTONE ACTION PLAN Neighborhood identity and redevelopment in Jersey City, NJ Redstone Townhomes Neighborhood Association (RTNA) and New Jersey City University (NJCU) wanted to harness recent area investments to revive and transition the neighborhood into an education and cultural destination within Jersey City. •
Draw new investments through streetscape improvements and arts-based placemaking to drive foot traffic and create an inviting atmosphere for residents and visitors.
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Communicate a cohesive vision and identity strategy for long-term neighborhood and campus growth.
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Advance neighborhood stability through quality of life interventions: traffic calming, urban connectivity, public safety, and enhanced open space.
Forged public private partnerships for citizengenerated visioning, long term growth strategies, and inclusive development in Jersey City’s West Side.
Engagement Tools Conducted geospatial analysis and qualitative assessment to diagnose painpoints experienced by residents, students, and visitors; applied participatory methods to discover programming opportunities for asset-based revitalization strategies.
Place-based Stragies Devised a flexible Neighborhood Action Plan and monthly discussion forum to incubate ideas and generate agreements between public, private, and civil society stakeholders for plan implementation.
Programming and Services Leveraged public private partnerships and corporate social responsibility, such as Comcast Cares, to initiate plan execution and incremental neighborhood improvement.
Students from NJCU Visual Arts program painting a mural. Community engagement gamification for crowdsourcing neighborhood vision and improvement ideas. Community mural painting near the light rail station. Comcast Cares Day volunteers from local high school arts programs for park rehabilitation.
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GAME ON! WATER ST. Strategic Placemaking in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District The Downtown Alliance of New York sought to animate a series of privately-owned public spaces to inspire a work/play neighborhood that extends stay time, drives commercial activity, and appeals to tenants of the new economy. • Enliven the area through a summer programming series that highlights Water Street’s amenities and invites, engages, and retains new creative and tech (TAMI) companies. • Shift public perception of Water Street from a lackluster business corridor to a complete district that encourages social interaction. • Establish physical connectivity and reinforce the corridor’s identity through a uniform brand that supports the client’s existing initiatives to incubate Lower Manhattan’s growing tech community.
Developed a pop-up series and district brand to activate space and transform a key corridor into a social destination that cultivates communities and attracts new businesses. Programming and Services Conceptualized a public space programming series based on lean design research that utilized team competition to drive participation.
Place-based Strategies Crafted a brand identity strategy with stick power for the public realm to facilitate wayfinding and captivate target audiences.
Engagement Tools Delivered a digital platform to aggregate events and market the Game On! campaign for expanded presence throughout New York City.
Life-size street sudoku in Mannahatta Park on Water St. invited passerbys to stop and add a number. 3D anamorphic chalk mural in Mannahatta Park on Water St. for social media share and photo opportunities. Putt-putt course in Elevated Acre, a hidden park. Game On! Game Map, displaying Coenties Slip information and activities.
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For more information visit: www.3x3.co