FINALNEWSPAPER by Kate Fenoglio

VC 5 | Methods for Innovation

Fall 2015 | Kate Fenoglio

WE DO CARE A CASE STUDY

PHASE ONE page 11

PHASE TWO page 23

PHASE THREE page 33

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 6 The Process

The Group

PHASE ONE 11 Intro

Method One

Method Two

Method Three

How Might We

23 PHASE TWO 25 Method One 27 Method Two 29 Method Three 31 Solution 33 PHASE THREE 35 Branding 37 Pitch Book 39 Heart and Soul 41 To Be Continued

INTRODUCTION The Assignment

elcome to the case study for VC5: Methods for Innovation. This project is a culmination of all the work done over the course of a semester. This project was assigned in the beginning of the semester. It is meant to practice our ability to facilitate a design research project.

The project is a group design research project. We as a group are able to choose any context we want as long as it is local to Indianapolis. The course is split into three phases, Problem Formulation, Solution Formulation, and Solution Implementation. In the end, we will be able to identify and solve challenging communication problems.

THE PROCESS How the schedule was set and what was expected

he class was split up into three phases that delegate the process of semester. The three phases are Problem Formulation, Solution Formulation, and Solution Implementation. The first three weeks of the semester were dedicated to introductions, practice, and introductions into the course.

stage spanned from Week 12 to Week 15, November 9th to December 9th. This stage is dedicated to taking the idea of your solution and making it real. You are supposed to develop a reasonable amount of deliverables that can help your solution be brought to life.

The first stage is Problem Formulation. This spanned from The process of these three phases is supposed to be ideal for Week 4 to Week 7, September 14th to October 7th. This stage research based design projects. It is designed for maximum is dedicated to research and brainstorming. As a group, you are proficiency. supposed to research and get to know your context and find areas of improvement. After you have succeeded in that, the group should decide on one problem that will be the subject of the project. The second stage is Solution Formulation. This stage spanned from Week 8 to Week 11, October 12th to November 4th. This stage is dedicated to taking all of the research and insight you gained from phase one and decide on a solution. This is the stage where you decided what you as a group was going to do to fix the problem you found in phase one. The third and final stage is Solution Implementation. This

THE GROUP How the group was selected and who was involved

hen the time came for our groups to be formed, the class used the Basadur profiling system. Each student in the class took the test alone to figure out which type of creator you are. The options were implementer, optimizer, generator, and conceptualizer. Each type brought different things to a group dynamic and the idea team would consist of at least one of each.

My group consisted of Sara Frucci, Reyes Rojas, Bri Metzger, Kwok Lee, and myself. We decided on the name INNOVA after some brainstorming and word associations. Each member is extremely talented and brings something new to the team.

The group worked well together, even though collaborating with five people and five different schedules was sometimes Then the class split up into four corners of the room depending challenging. We distributed the work evenly so no one ever felt on which type of creator you were. Then, the instructors inoverwhelmed and no one ever felt like they had nothing to do. formed us that you need to chose a group of five based on the categories. This was kind of a mad dash and very hectic, but in the end the groups were formed.

PHASE ONE Problem Formulation

he course begins with Phase One, Problem Formulation. This is the phase where we gathered as much information and research as possible. The research and brainstorming we develop in this phase will be used and revisited throughout the entire project.

It is crucial to get a large amount of research as well as a lot of good quality research. There are times during the course to go back and get more information if needed but this is the only phase dedicated to gathering information.

INTRO TO PHASE ONE B

efore fully starting Phase One, Problem Formulation, we had to chose a context. These can be anything that improves something in Indianapolis. We had to chose something based in Indianapolis so that we could have easy access to research and information.

After our context was chosen we moved on to a stakeholder map. We mapped out first on white-boards and then once that was finished, we developed a more final and visual map.

The stakeholder map displays who has a stake in our project. This ranges from visitors, business owners, the community, to When choosing our context, the groups were given a few exam- artists, donors, residents, and governments. These are groups of ples of context. There was interest from the Herron admissions people that should be involved in the final deliverables as well office in having a group work with them to improve in state as used as resources. Throughout or process, Innova talked to and out of state enrollment problems. There were a few other and brainstormed with every single one of our stakeholders. options from youth entrepreneurship, mental health awareness, This was a really successful start to our project because we had and Indianapolis Arts and Culture. Because our group consists a better idea of who this project would be effecting and how of artists living in Indianapolis we were really interested in the they could be used as resources. context of improving Indy Arts and Culture.

METHOD ONE M

ethod one was one of the most important methods for our group. We named it photo ethnography. Since, our context was improving Indy Arts and Culture, we decided to go photograph and analyze the successful areas of Indianapolis in the arts and culture scene. We first went to Fountain Square, a fully developed area with a focus in art and culture in Indianapolis. We divided our photo taking into categories. The first category was people, street quality, and construction. The second category was buildings and environment. The third category was art, street art, and sculpture. Each person chose a different category to photograph. That way we could all stay focused on one thing and not have duplicate photographs. Then we went to Massachusetts Avenue. We did the exact same process there.

We decided on the West Side of Indianapolis because North, East, and South side have somewhat of an identity already established. We drove around the West Side to find a potential area. At first we were feeling that the idea was not going to play out. There was a lot of low quality neighborhoods and strip malls of fast food restaurants. Then we went back into the city and worked from there. We took Washington Street towards the west side. Right when we passed the zoo, we found our area. It was the perfect balance of residential and businesses. There was a park and a school which really got us excited. You could see the skyline of Indianapolis from this strip which made it seem very close in proximity. We decided to photograph this area with the same categories.

Our thought process with this method was compare what is working in Indianapolis versus what is not working. We can analyze why these areas are successful and what we could do to make another area equally as successful. So we had to find an area we thought could be the next Mass Ave or Fountain Square.

METHOD TWO M

ethod Two was named Comparative Photo Ethnography. Then we went through and wrote notes on post its. They were This was done after we had taken all of our photographs color coded by whether the notes were descriptions, insights, around Indianapolis. or problems. This took our photos and made them into ideas. We were able to see problem areas in the west side easily when We went through our photos and chose the best from the cat- compared against the developed areas of Mass Ave and Founegories and printed them off. We hung them up in a matrix on tain Square. the wall. Vertically they were organized by area and horizontally they were organized by the categories mentioned in Method This method showed us what possibilities there was for imOne. provement in the Near West Side.

METHOD THREE T

his method was to get more insight into the near west side from an insiders perspective. We went back to the area and focused on local businesses. We talked with JR, a NWS local, who owned a grocery store and another store in the near west side. He was able to give us lots of insight on the history of the area and how businesses function. He also mentioned that he has always loved murals and on one of his stores he has wanted to put a mural for a long time. This sparked an idea in our head but we kept it on the back burner because we were nowhere near our solution phase yet,

HOW MIGHT WE... A

t the end of this phase we were asked to develop a how might we statement. From all of our research we should decide on the problem we wanted to tackle. When we first developed our how might we statement it was “How might we build a visual culture for the near west side”. After feedback from the class and instructors we realized our how might we statement was inadequate. We changed it to “How might we create a unique identity through public art in the Near West

Side”. Later in our process we meet with a teacher that changes the direction of our project. Our final how might we statement ends up being “How might we engage 7th-8th graders of George Washington High School to increase community expression of the Near West Side through public art.

PHASE TWO Solution Formulation

hase one had been completed and because we had negative feedback on our how might we statement our group was feeling a little behind at the beginning of Phase Two, Problem Formulation. This phase is dedicated to deciding what the solution to our problem is.

Additional research can be conducted but the main focus is to find a solution to the most critical problem in the area. We do not need to have the solution completed but we should have a plan on what the solution will be and what the parts will be.

METHOD ONE O

ur first method for this phase was additional interviews. We got so much good information from the interview with JR that we decided to go back and talk to more locals with investment in the community.

could do. He has many public artists that he has talked to about his ideas. The level of interest he showed was inspiring and exciting for our group. He asked us to keep him up to date with our project and he would help in any way he could.

First we met with Derrok. He is a high school art teacher at the George Washington High School in the Near West Side of Indianapolis. He also is a artist that focuses on public art and murals. He has had his worked featured on the TV show Empire.

Then we went to a local restaurant owner down the street. She owns a restaurant that makes authentic Mexican food. She was really helpful but the language barrier made it difficult to have a length conversation. We decided that we were more interested in pursing a possible project with Derrok and his students rather than restaurants and small businesses in the area.

Derrok was so excited when we talked to him about our project. He has wanted to do a piece of public art in the community for a long time and has already started brainstorming what he

METHOD TWO A

fter deciding to continue with Derrok and his students we We also got great insight on how they viewed their community. chose to have an envisioning session. He was really helpful A lot of them drew about destruction and violence. As young in making sure on his end that it was okay with administration. kids they could still pick up on the fact that their community was run down and needed to be revamped before things would We went to the school during a couple of his class periods. First get better. we engaged in a discussion about what public art is and what it means to them. Then we had them draw ideas based on the The most telling drawing we got back was one that showed two prompt “What would you change in your community if you sides of the NWS. One was what it was like, run down houses had unlimited time and resources”. We got a lot of nice answers with violent images and the words “we don’t care” written on it. that really helped us see what kinds of things the kids wanted The other side showed green grass and a nice house with flowand wanted to be a part of. ers and clouds. We decided this was a really important insight that we should use. 27

METHOD THREE M

ethod three for this phase was done by just our group. We found were recurring in almost all of the drawings from the needed to take all the information we got from Derrok kids were violence, apathy, and destruction. and from the envisioning session and come up with our solution and what parts will be in our solution. We decided that our solution should address and combat all of those themes. After our brainstorming session we had decided We hung up all of the drawings we got from the kids and on what solution we would present to the class. looked for patterns and connections. The main themes we

SOLUTION W

hen we presented to the class, our solution was an organization called “We Do Care” that involved the youth of GWHS engaging in public art using primarily positive spin imagery to convey non-violence. We agreed that it would include community art events, murals to encourage positivity, and all around promote a non-violence message to the community.

talking to him we realized that pitching our idea was kind of difficult because of how hypothetical the idea was.

After getting feedback we realized an organization was not the answer. We again went back to the white-board and brainstormed. We knew we wanted to keep the name “We Do Care” because it represented that the community cares about the people and the people care about the community. We decided that the three parts to our solution were going to be a mural, an event, and a stencil. Then we took these ideas and went back to Derrok to brainstorm and share our ideas. While

We also decided to focus on the event rather than an organization. The event will involve Derrok, the students, and their friends and family. A mural will be exhibited on JR’s wall. Also, flowers will be planted in a green-space in the shape of the logo so that we can beautify the area while also placing a stamp of the We Do Care in a public place.

After our meeting, we decided that part of our solution needed to be a pitch book. We also agreed that a heart and soul video would help to visualize and inspire viewers and participants.

PHASE THREE Solution Implementation

hase three is the solution implementation phase. This phase is dedicated to taking your solution and making it real. For us that means deciding how to make this hypothetical idea a reality. Our final solution is â&#x20AC;&#x153;We Do Careâ&#x20AC;? an event that involves the youth of GWHS by engaging in public art using primarily positive spin imagery to rejuvenate the near west side.

To make that a reality we agreed on three important aspects. One being branding so that the event can have a real life feel. The second being a pitch-book so that people could understand our concept and be called to participate. The third part is a heart and soul video. This would be used for social media to gather buzz around the event and get people interested.

BRANDING T

he branding for We Do Care was done in a stencil style to embody the idea of public art. The skyline shows that the area is family friendly and homey instead of very urban. This stays true to the area instead of making the near west side something its not. The rainbow is used to show improvement in the area and a brighter future. The color spot in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;doâ&#x20AC;? shows that the focus is on a public mural and art expression.

The second way will be on T-shirts. These can be worn to create a buzz around the upcoming event and to show support even after the event is over. The t-shirts can be worn by students, parents, and community partners involved in the events.

The third way the branding will be used is for a stencil. This can be used to keep the We Do Care movement alive and present in the community. It can be painted on for permanent use or The branding will be used in three main ways. The first being can be dusted with chalk for temporary use. There also can be on invitations to the event. These will be sent out to the families stickers developed for an in between. of the kids from George Washington High School that will be involved in the event.

PITCH BOOK T

he pitch book for We Do Care will help create interest in the community. The book describes the project, the process, our solution, and how the community can be involved. It will be a takeaway for people with interest in the project.

the project. We also talk about the students and how they were involved as well as how they contributed to our solution. Then we outline our final solution, as well as a page asking them for help and contributions.

The book first starts out by introducing our group and who we are and why we are interested in this project. Then we give background on the assignment and how we came up with our idea. We give a profile on Derrok and how he was involved in

The pitch book is a mini case study that will be a great resource for the project to continue on even if we cant.

HEART & SOUL L

astly is the heart and soul video. This is a video that will be a It talks about the importance of public art and how it will imgreat tool to inspire and incentivize people to get involved. prove the community. It also has a call to action for everyone We think it will be a great social media tool. interested to get involved. This shown along with the pitch book or just by itself is a useful tool in creating a large group of peoThe video goes over our solution and why its important. It also ple willing to contribute and help in any way they can. asks people to get involved and use a hash tag to support the event and grow the amount of people it will reach. It has bright images of the community and whats working in the community already so that people will gain interest, but it also shows the room for improvement.

TO BE CONTINUED... W

e met with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful in the final weeks of our project. This meeting was used to get some more insight on our solution. We know there needs to be funding and municipal meetings for it to go from a hypothetical solution to a real one. KIB would hopefully share their expertise on what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re missing or what needs to happen next. We presented the pitch book and had a discussion with a professional at KIB. We got some great advice on contacts, funding, and maintenance. Some things we had not even thought of which was really great for us to hear about.

In the final stages of We Do Care we decided that the next things that need to happen are funding, a social media boost, and sending invites before the actual event can happen. To make this a reality a lot of things still need to happen and it probably wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to be carried out until the spring of 2017 but Innova is planning to continue working with Derrok to make this project a reality.

THANK YOU