YOU ARE HERE BY DESIGN

St. Louis, MO, United States
1) DESIGNERS CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. ex: We got you to come to our website. 2) IN OUR WORLD, EITHER THE DESIGNER OR THE DESIGNED FOR IS HUMAN. ex: You are human and so are we. 3) DESIGNERS CAN WORK MORE EFFECTIVELY IF THEY UNDERSTAND HUMAN NATURE. ex: We know people are wary of having their flies open in public. 4) DESIGN AT ITS SIMPLEST IS AN ACT OF MANIPULATION OF HUMANS, WHAT THEY WANT, AND HOW THAT DRIVES THEIR CHOICES.

Based on these assumptions, we conceived Design Is Power, an exploration of human nature. Through a series of ‘experiments’ (using the Washington University community as our test population) that incite reaction and action, we are exposing several human tendencies. Ultimately, we want our viewers to question their impulses and realize their roles in a designed world. And as student designers, we hope to explore the range of human responses we can call upon in our work.

So where do you come in?
Your participation in each designed moment completes its message, and we seek to activate the dialogue between designer and viewer. Whether you are a participant or just a curious observer, we encourage you to share your thoughts by commenting.

22 November 2009

Caution








Medium: Caution tape
Location: main walkway, in front of Olin Library

Caution tape was wrapped around 4 trees on the main walkway in front of the library. It obstructed the most efficient pathway, redirecting each viewer’s route and making him or her more aware of the surroundings they take for granted.

5 comments:

turn_around said...

I wanted to eat lunch inside the taped area with my friend, but we couldn't find anywhere comfortable and non-muddy to sit. It was exhilarating but also awkward to stand inside the caution tape for those few moments.

Anonymous said...

I actually looked at the ground for wet cement or a torn up water line or something because I thought it was official haha wow good job guys

DESIGN IS POWER said...

Glad you guys liked it. The forbidden is always exciting; something we'll note for our future design work.

Anonymous said...

I remember looking at this from a distance and wondering what WashU was doing with their lawn this time.

Anonymous said...

hilllllllllaaaaaarious