Sense of Community

I found a great article called "Sense of Community: a Definition and Theory" from 1986 by David Chavis and David McMillan. I've read several other articles by these authors for my thesis, but this has been by far the most helpful reading on building community that I've encountered. 


After explaining their research, the authors give a sort of recipe and ingredient list for creating a community—exactly what I'm setting out to do. 


Here is an image from the essay of the authors' representation of elements that create a community:

Here is my interpretation of how I can foster these elements throughout my process:

I'm very excited about this finding since it gives me a more concrete idea of the goals and outcomes I will aim to accomplish through my game.

Mapping out a User Journey

After talking to several people and reading the book Games People Play, I was able to get a better sense of the path people go through to meet other people. 

The book Games People Play

My original mapping of the process it takes to meet a person or make a new friend.

Participatory Design Synthesis

Survey Synthesis

• Ages 20 - 40

• 68% male, 32% female

• 58% living in apartment 1-2 years, 24% 3-5, 13% < 1, 6% > 5

• 70% do not live alone

• Top factors looked into buying an apartment: Location, Price, Walkability, Safety

• 61% give 4 on a scale of 1-5 of how happy they are with the apartment

• 36% want to live in luxury apartment, 36% in beach house, 26% warehouse, 17% country 13% mansion, 9% suburb

• 85% don't hang out with their neighbors, 9% do only in the building, 7% do outside of building

• 43% just want to have a friendly chat with their neighbors, 28% just want to say hello, 21% want to participate in activities, 8% want no relationship, 1% want to be extremely close

• Current moods: cautious, bored, shy, happy

• Ideal moods: happy, confident, hopeful

• Children: need more space to play

Activities people partake in with their Neighbors
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Apartment Cons
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Apartment Pros
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Benefits of having Neighbors
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Problems with Neighbors
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IRB Modification

I just turned in my IRB Modification form. Hopefully I'll hear back from them soon! Let's get this over with...

Refining Some Conceptual Maps

Here are a few of the conceptual maps I created from last week (refined):

User Research Success :)

I have been spending this past week conducting user research and contemplating the needs and wants of downtown residents. I've interviewed 3 people and I've received over 100 responses on my survey! 
One response from an interviewee:

"This study is more into how people envision their future and how it should be in different aspects, e.g. housing condition, relationships with other people, amenities, leisure... And such a study helps open the minds of both the designers and subjects."

The survey and interviews have unveiled some interesting discoveries, and I look forward to synthesizing the findings throughout next week! 

Preparing for Participatory Design Sessions

Despite the slow response from IRB, I've scheduled 5 different participatory design sessions for tomorrow. 


Activities will include:

1. The participant constructing his/her ideal apartment layout using a velcro model I created
2. The participant creating a collage representing his/her current housing situation and his/her preferred future housing situation
3. The participant filling out a booklet of interview questions and exercises

Collage Images:

Interview Booklet:

  

Thesis took over my living room!

I've been working on several models, trying to create as many models that surround my thesis topic. I've been posting these models all over my apartment wall (there just isn't enough space in studio). These models have helped me think of how to better ask questions in future interviews. I've also been able to see the bigger picture and where my areas of interest lie in relation to other surrounding topics.

My apartment walls covered in butcher paper with abstract models

Spectrum of Public and Private Spaces

Chart of Types of Games & Play

Chart of Social Activities

Chart of Social Housing

Board With All of my Latest Models and Observations

Jesse Schell's Game Cards Organized in 5 Categories

Stakeholder Map