Jason Santa Maria

Identify a problem with navigating the NY Transit system. This could be a problem with existing means (wayfinding, maps, the website, etc), a point in the process that could be re- imagined, or the introduction of a new tool. It could be for use in a specific place, or all places, for a specific demographic or community, or all people.

Research existing implementations based around your problem, both in NY or from other transits systems.

The medium for this project is open. It can be big or small, an interactive map or an application, basically anything you can think of that successfully solves your problem.

Whatever your medium, be prepared to work up a completed product. For instance, if you are proposing a website, you will be creating coded webpages, if you are making a wall map, you will need to find a way to get a large map printed. Please talk to Jason about the scope of your project if you have any questions or concerns.

Focus

Focus on:

• Color, type, and layout as a system
• Respecting travelers’ time, and speed of use vs understanding of information
• Usability, is this accessible to everyone? Can it be?
• Consider the different means of accessing information about travel
• Consider the locations and/or devices in which people access travel information
• A system is already in use. Do you make something complimentary, or brand new?
• Consider the emotional side of travel and how it impacts someone’s day

Additional Materials

Additional materials with be graded on exercising what you’ve learned this semester about type color and layout. Choose one of the following.

1. Promotional materials:
Create one or more promotional items and get the word out about your new amazing problem solving solution. Tgis could be a poster, billboard, email, anything (visual)! Think about the medium of your project, who the audience is, and the best way to connect with them. Consider making it a campaign.

2. Additional materials:
If your solution lends itself to a system (more maps, websites, APIs, etc), execute one or more of these in the medium of your choosing.

Schedule

Nov 5: Talkin’
Meet with Jason to discuss and refine your idea. (optional)

Nov 12: Sketches and roughs (Graded Milestone)
Briefly meet with Jason to go over your work in progress. Students should have at least refined sketches and research, but additional work (rough designs, mockups, prototypes, etc) are suggested. Can be very rough.

Nov 19: Designs in progress
Meet with Jason to discuss and refine your design. (optional)

Dec 3: Nearly finished designs, design roughs of promo matter (Graded Milestone)
Briefly meet with Jason to go over your nearly finished work, and to discuss roughs for your promotional material.

Dec 10: ALL projects due, Presentations

Dec 17: Remaining presentations

Presentations

You will be chosen at random to present final projects on December 3rd. Any student who don’t get to present on December 3rd, will present on the 10th.

Keep your presentation/setup to 5 minutes or less to allow for ample critique time.

Thee form of your presentation is up to you, but please bring at least one visual to put up on screen while presenting. If you are bringing physical objects, arrive a few minutes early to set up or hang them.

You will be graded on quality of presentation and delivery. Prepare and practice before coming to class!

Resources

• Big Typographic Wayfinding
• Revised Tube Map
• J’s Subway Poster
• Platooning
• Wayfinding Through Technology
• Wayfinding Observations
• Nearest Tube Augmented Reality App
• Designing the ultimate wayfinding typeface
• Better Bike Lane Signage
• Kick Map
• Exit Strategy NYC, iPhone App
• Harry Beck’s London Underground Map
• History of the London Tube Maps