Biking the Future Experience Lab

EXPERIENCE LAB A SUMMARY 17th, 18th & 19th April 2012 Gรถteborg, Sweden

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OUR GOALS:

WHAT YOU FIND IN HERE

02 FRAMEWORK & GOALS 03 LAB CONCEPT OUTCOME FROM METHODS: 04 IMAGINE THE FUTURE 05 BIKING + FUTURE WALL 06 THE LIGHT CUBE 07 FUN + FRESH 08 & 09 PICTURES 10 THE PROCESS 11 THAT’S US 12 REFLECTION & FEEDBACK

WE FACILITATE A LAB THAT INSPIRES PARTICIPANTS TO DEFINE THE MEANING OF BIKING THE FUTURE.

WE...

STAKEHOLDERS

AT THE GLASS HOUSE VALAND ACADEMY

DAYS TO PREPARE THE LAB

5000 SEK BUDGET

WE WORK WITH A DESIGN-DRIVEN PROCESS TO LOOK BEYOND THE OBVIOUS & GET INSIGHTS OF MEANINGS.

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DAYS TO RUN THE LAB

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...ARE MOTIVATORS ... DEVELOP & TRY METHODS ... CREATE RESEARCH BASE FOR UPCOMING PROJECT ...COLLECT EXPERIENCES

WE USE A BLOG TO KEEP US AND OTHERS INFORMED AND INSPIRED

FRAMEWORK & GOALS

- US, STUDENTS OF B&D - LOTS DESIGN - EAD - DESIGN RESEARCHERS - CITIZENS OF GOTHENBURG

THE LAB WILL

...BE PROGRESSIVE & SELF-EXPLAINING ...BE OPEN TO PUBLIC ...BE PLAYFUL, ENGAGING & EASY TO ACCESS ...INCLUDE MAX. 5 INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES ...COMBINE VISUAL & NARRATIVE ACTIVITES ...BE DOCUMENTATED CONTINOUSLY ...CREATE HAPPINESS

PART OF EAD CONFERENCE “CRAFTING THE FUTURE”

LAB CONCEPT

COFFEE STATION

As a part of our PR activities we handed out empty cups with a flyer that had instructions how to reach the glass house (the venue of our lab).

The coffee served was sponsored by Da Matteo and brewed with great care.

THE WHEEL

We constructed a spinning “roulette” out of an old bicycle wheel and used it as a means to welcome and engage visitors that entered the workshop.

The wheel, after turned, showed the visitors a shape that guided them to the first “station”.

The light cube was our survey method.

At the center of the space we had a cube constructed out of a wooden frame with white canvas wrapped around it.

The cube was mounted on a podium so that it was approximately at eye level of visitors. Each of the four visible surfaces were divided and marked with different words–usually opposites. The purpose of the cube was to make it possible for visitors to express their relation to biking by punching a hole to the canvas using the awls provided.

As more and more visitors used the tools to show their opinions, interesting patterns started to emerge, creating unexpected dimension to the cube. Finally, a collectiv piece of art, a light object, has been created.

LIGHT CUBE

The Imagine station was the “hands on” station. We provided the participants with a variety of materials to be used in building different sculptures using simple prompts as a starting point. These prompts were written to cards that were handed to the participants.

Examples: “Imagine a hospital”, “Imagine a place to have fun”, “Imagine a place to dance” etc.

During the first day the prompts were connected to spaces, during the second day to objects and during the last day to actions. The materials provided included cardboard, tape, pipe cleaners, different papers, staples, paper clip etc.

Using four movable black screens we constructed a big wall to one of the corners of the space. During the two first days, the wall was divided to two parts, each one having a header to prompt idea generation: “What if a bike could…” and “In the future… it would be awesome if…”

Using these prompts, visitors were instructed to add their own ideas to the wall using materials at hand. Materials used were post-its, pens and pins to attach the ideas to the wall.

Originally we planned that the participants will use one post-it from each wall to create new meanings under the header “biking the future”. This concept was too abstract and not applicable any longer as the input from the two first days were different than we expected.

Therefore, we changed the concept at the third day: A visitor picked up two (one under each header) post-it written the previous days and was asked to create a scene for the movie “biking the future”.

BIKING + FUTURE WALL IMAGINE THE FUTURE!

DESIGNED METHODS

EXHIBITION FEEDBACK & CONTACTS TRASHCAN POLL

BALLOONS

SCRABBLE

SCRABBLE: At the exit visitors found a feedback board to write words or sentences about the made experience.

Markers were provided to write on the board. By using the words and letters already on the board people could fit their own thoughts into the matrix - either horizontally or vertically.

This boxed-shaped concept didn’t work out as most feedback was written horizontally each on their own line and not using the letters already on the board. Only few words were written vertically. One might guess that the participants want to feel free of how they express their personal feedback.

TRASHCAN POLL: Three different trashcans were placed near the exit with words “Fun”, “Fresh” and “Good coffee”. We instructed the visitors to express their opinion about the workshop by placing their empty coffee cup into a trashcan that best described the workshop. To some people the idea didn’t open up as well as we had hoped. The headers might have to be more differentiated to receive a more meaningful result.

BALLOONS: On a table with empty business cards and balloons visitors, who wanted to stay in contact with us after the workshop, could leave us a business cards. The cards were attached to helium balloons with a paper clip that were arranged around the staircase and the rail at the second floor.

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Imagine where to sleep...

What if you could sleep on the clouds Hover in the air and relax. And don’t have to worry about any problems.

IMAGINE THE FUTURE Imagine a place to have fun...

The biking wall of death

Imagine that there are monsters under your bed...

Under your bed there are many scary things, do you know what it is? Bend down and look what you can see under the bed.

Imagine a transportation vehicle...

Imagine a hospital...

The hospital of the future is not a place where you go when you are old and sick.

People don’t want to be a burden on society or their family. Therefore the idea is that they go to this place when they’re 30 years old and vanish in to this greater thing floating over the hospital. Call it God, the Internet or what you like. It is a place where you can be closer to a higher power.

Imagine a fun way to commute...

Imagine having a deep conversation...

Imagine a place to have fun...

As an introduction on the first day there was a given condition of decreased gravity in the future resulting in an anti-gravity reverse slide + viewing platform.

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Imagine a place to go dancing...

LL A W E H T S FROM

SCENE

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“The killing cube” made me question what biking really means for me. It was presented in an original way and became even more interesting over time as it was developing with peoples thoughts.”

A Participant.

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THE LIGHT CUBE

Besides developing the methods and organizing the lab, we created a visual identity and a concept of how to experience the lab.

“Fun” and “fresh” were the two key words and chosen within a collective brainstorming.

We designed all different aspects like colours, prompts, graphics, space, light, atmosphere and layout.

DESIGN CONCEPT

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THE “BIKING THE FUTURE” EXPERIENCE LAB IN PICTURES

THE BRIEF WHAT? TIME? LOTS DESIGN HOW? WHY? SPONSORS? PLANNING BUDGET? WHERE? CONFERENCE PROJECT MANAGMENT INSPIRATION STUDENTS RESOURCES? METHOD DEVELOPMENT TEAM RESEARCH 5 TASKS BRAINSTORMING 5 GROUP LEADERS EVENT DESIGN TEAM DOCUMENTATION CRAFTING THE METHODS IDEAS PR TEAM WHY? 5 METHODS WALL OF THOUGHTS INVITATION BLOG & STATEMENT VISUAL IDENTITY FACEBOOK GROUP DYNAMIC QUESTION PIMP YOUR BIKE SURVEY RESEARCH POSTER FLYER PHOTOS & BLOG POSTS STICKER WHEEL OF STORIES INSPIRATION OLD BICYLCES BALLOONS STREET SIGNS WORLD CAFÉ - REFLECTION BIKE + FUTURE BRAIN STORMING WHY? QUESTION & STATEMENT DREAM ENIVORNMENT BUDGET? FUN & FRESH ATMOSPHERE THE GUESTBOOK - COLLECTIVE DIARY BALLOONS COFFEE MUSIC THE BIKE WHEEL RESOURCES? COFFEE CUPS CRAFTING THE METHODS WHY? ROOM LAYOUT WORLD CAFÉ - REFLECTION BIKE + FUTURE TRASH BINS BALLOONS - BC QUESTION & STATEMENT BIKING FOR ME IS... STICKER MATERIAL RESEARCH THE BIKE WHEEL BUILDING THE FUTURE THE BIKE WHEEL ADVERTISEMENT

BIKE + FUTURE IMAGINE THE FUTURE THE SURVEY LIGHT CUBE

TRASH BINS BALLOONS - BC SCRABBLE

3 METHODS 3 FEEDBACK BUILD & PREPARE ADVERTISEMENT CONFERENCE ADVERTISEMENT COFFEE CUPS FLYER

TIMING THE EXPERIENCE LAB PHOTOS & BLOG POSTS THE BIKE WHEEL COFFEE ADVERTISEMENT 3 METHODS 3 FEEDBACK 3 DAYS CHANGING BIKE + FUTURE

EXIHIBTION 10

PROCESS

REFLECTION COLLECTIVE CONTENT SUMMARY? BOOKLET CLEANING

While developing the concept of the experience lab we tried to work within a reflective process. We started with a very fuzzy briefing, but we permanently visualized our ideas, shared them, discussed them and so the concept organicly evolved. All of us had a specific focus and a task to fullfil, but everyone contributed to the discussions around the method design. The diverse influences from the whole team shaped the lab.

On one side this process leads to a holistic concept that is flexible to change and new ideas. On the other side the frustration of the constant change has to be compensated by a positive attitude and atmosphere within a team. Based on this experience we believe that a design-driven process can lead to bold and innovative ideas.

CHARLOTTE ÉLLSEN

JOHAN CARLSON

HÉLÈNE KOOLE

SARA NÄSLUND

LIU NAN

GABIJA JANKAUSKAITE

VEERA PAKALA

MARTTIINA KEITURI

SOFIE HELSING

MARIANNA TÖTTERMAN

FRANZISKA SCHNEYER

JOHAN WALLENHEIM

“I learned a lot how to organize things and how to create different methods in an iterative process. It was great that the whole class worked together and that everybody were so engaged, activated and inspired!”

“Some of the visitors had some initial hesitation about trying out our methods, a few of them surprised not only us, but themselves by being daring and exploring what they can contribute and by sharing their view.”

“The project has given me a new perspective regarding group dynamic and project management. The most remaining experience is all stories I was told from the “Imagine station”, stories about the future..”

“Trust the process.”

“We designed and organized a great experience lab within only 8 days.

Rely on the power of a diverse group! ”

“Teachers from other schools took pictures and they wanted to show them to their students.

We focused on how people visiting could be involved, but we managed something even greater if we have inspired others who weren’t there.”

“I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the participants when they dove in to the different tasks. things that were fuzzy from the start worked out well in the end. trust the flow and be inspired!”

“I was really happily surprised about how open-minded all the visitors approached our experience lab, how they were willing to participate, and how all participants helped us develop further during the three days.”

“It was a wonderful experience to be part of the organization of theexperience lab.

I enjoyed the spirit of the group and how the participants engaged with each other and the different stations.”

“I’m happy we dared to change one of the methods the last day. Just try it out! That’s what a lab is all about.”

“We could come up with different methods to solve problems or get understandings for each other when we had different perspectives.It was really playful and interesting. Just try out something new.”

“Curious and excited participants of the lab was the best thing for me. It is such a great feeling to be a part of something that makes people happy. I want to do more!!!”

THE ORGANIZORS, FACILITATORS & DESIGNERS

The experience lab “biking the future” has been organized by the students of the master program in business and design at hdk göteborg as part of the course “integrated projects”. We are a group of 15 students having different educational and professional backgrounds.

If you want to find out more about the program or get in direct contact with us visit: www.hdk.gu.se or send us an email: bikingthefuture@gmail.com

CHRISTINA VILDINGE

SAMI HUHTALA

BRAIN W. JONES

“I was happy to see so many participants.”

“What began as a somewhat confusing brief turned into one of the most inspiring aspects of the whole conference. The glass house looked incredible—especially when it was full of people engaging with all the stations.”

THAT’S US

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WHAT OTHERS SAID “What if a bike could… fly, swim, fall in love. It put a smile on my face when reading all the ideas written by others on the posit notes.

It served as an inspiration and a way to push ideas further by developing them.

It was an ongoing process, especially on Friday when you asked us to create a scenario around 2 actions, which were completely different from each other. Now let’s hope one day we will be able to design a bike that can fly.”

“The atmosphere was very relaxed, it was a “creative break”, after listening to all the presentations. I’m used to be very structured and theoretical, the little cards with “imagine..” enabled me to think in a different way, be more creative and come up with silly ideas.”

“I really enjoyed being welcomed by all the students and how we were introduced to each station. The wheel was a pleasant way to direct us where we had to go next.

Activities were clearly explained and it helped me to think in a different way.

It was also nice to grab a good cup of coffee and discuss with other people.”

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After reflecting on the process, the three days in the glass house and the trial to analyze the results we would like to disaffiliate ourselves from the way we conducted the Experience Lab and how we used design methods and exercises.

Using design methods in a co-creational process without having a concept of how to develop the produced content further, can in worst scenario damage and weaken the position, reputation and understanding of design. To just create a colorful game or play might bring back design to the position where it was only about prettification and packaging of a product. And just like designers are no magicians, design methods do not work as a hat-trick, where the designer can pull out a solution like the magician pull out a white rabbit from the hat. In this way, we must also acknowledge, to our disappointment, that there is no explicit result from the Experience Lab. We have discovered that there is no such thing as universal and standard design methods, instead design methods needs contextualization. However, is it possible to engineer a result with the help of design methods? And is that really the objective of design?

For us, as students, it has been difficult to use the design methods as objective tools to evaluate the result, but this is maybe not the reason for using design methods. We do not want to disaffiliate ourselves from design methods in general. This case was just a step in our learning process to understand our own roles as designers and facilitators. Experiences lead to reflection and reflection lead to knowledge. Hard work and the search for new experiences will be our way to understand the usability, eligibility and possibilities of design methods in the future.

Something, which became evident for us, is that the results collected in the Experience Lab are maybe not the main findings and reason for using design methods.

Instead, the process of creating these results might give us a larger understanding. The produced ideas and conversations were interesting, but we missed to put them into a reasonable context.

The lab helped us to gain an experience, now it is up to us translate it into knowledge through reflection, and that will be the greatest result from the Experience Lab. Text: Johan Carlson

REFLECTION & FEEDBACK

Texts: everyone Photos: Sami & Helene & some others Editors: Franziska, Gabija & Brian