This week I had my first advisory tutorial, we discussed my project up-to the current point and chatted about ways it could evolve from there. My project is about encouraging conversation, having previously decided on designing for young adults who have recently moved somewhere new or have just left university. I wanted to create something for this age group (20s) as there is a lot of life changes in this time. I was suggested to read a Vice article about making friends in your 20s, I found a couple that I found interesting and they gave me some insights into what people have tried and feel comfortable doing. For example having a shared interest or goal helps build a connection, random interactions may not be appreciated and if in doubt... There's an app for making friends...
Vice articles:
Knowing the who part of this process is great, but what about where and what? Well having previously thought about designing for a cafe setting but slightly unsure if that is the right route it was suggested that I go observe how people interact within that space. I went to two places and observed what was happening around me, there wasn't as much chat as I thought (seeing since one of my visits was over lunch time) and there was a lot of phones, being plugged in to laptops and some just doing work. There were few fully engaged in conversation, other's were talking to people who weren't even looking up from their devices. Some people looked nervous to be having conversations, frequently looking down and playing with their hands.
Interested in where people may connect with others I asked some people where they'd most likely connect. Some said mostly university or work, it's a shared space with the same people and you should take advantage seeing people and forming a work-space community. Some stated that they like connecting over the dinner table, living room or over brunch, a small social group over a shared activity. While others said if they were in a queue, waiting room or on a train they may feel more likely to try and connect, these things have a shared goal. Connecting with people can be difficult, especially if it is with strangers, when I asked people about where they'd connect some said if they were drunk they'd be more inclined to chat to new people in a pub, some said having social drinks with friends make them feel connected.
Having looked at people's responses I decided to stray away from creating something for a cafe type setting, connections are very personal and I think having something that can be shared and used in a personal with would form more meaningful connections and conversations for people.
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