Phase 03 - Week 09
Research Journal
I will be working towards achieving the following learning outcomes detailed in my assignments tab including:
LO2: Contextualise - Appraise the social, political and historical contexts in which design practice operates.
LO3: Analyse - Evaluate research findings and use sound judgement that is informed by critical debate at the forefront of the academic discipline.
LO5: Imagine - Deliver appropriate and innovative ideas that embrace risk, have contemporary relevance and question the boundaries of the discipline.
LO6: Make - Select and utilise relevant tools, skills and technologies in the delivery, iteration and sustainable production of an outcome.
LO8: Design - Realise a final solution that evidences its strategic journey and clear relationship between form and function.
LO9: Communicate - Communicate effectively in a range of contexts and situations to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
LO10: Manage - Demonstrate applied planning and organisational skills to support self-directed project work and inform ongoing professional development needs.
Project Recap - Weeks 8 - 9
Last week:
I looked at looked at ONS reports, data about EGTC to summarise health and well-being in my hometown
I also compared lifestyle statistics on health and wellbeing
I created a survey to see if anyone was using the local drinking fountain
I visited websites to understand how as designers we can create responsibly by choosing sustainable materials
This week:
I’ll analyse the data presented to me from my survey
I’ll research design and art initiatives within communities for clarification of my design development
I’ll attend Ben’s Tutorial - About Critical Report submissions - prepare by looking at the 3 papers supplied
Phase 03/Wk 09: Design Development
Survey results
Insights and questionnaire responses
My survey on the Jubilee Drinking Water Fountain in East Grinstead initially targeted my local friends via Facebook but I only recieved 53 responses, prompting a post in a larger local Facebook group with over 20,000 members, “Whats Happening East Grinstead”. I posted anonymously as I was aware the restoration of the Fountain has attracted the usual Facebook trolls who have labelled this local community project a “waste of money” and “inapropriate use of local funds”.
This bumped my total up to 123 responses. Not the thousands I was hoping for, but nonetheless, a decent amount to analyse initial data from. Despite this broader reach, responses from the Under 18, 18-24, and 25-34 age categories remained limited. I considered if this could be due to the younger demographic's lower engagement with Facebook as a social platform.
Additionally, Gen Z, who fall into the under-25 category, may be less inclined to participate in general online surveys and are more responsive to personalised approaches, such as face-to-face interactions or direct messages on platforms they use more frequently - TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. I concluded this highlights the need for tailored engagement strategies to effectively capture the opinions of younger age groups.
Results overview
Age Distribution by per cent:
Under 18: 4%
18-24: 9%
25-34: 8%
35-44: 11%
45-54: 29%
55-64: 26%
65+: 11%
Age distribution conclusion - I didn’t get the high response from the younger audience (under 30s) that I had hoped to but that is probably as I sent out the questionnaire via Facebook, and this is a platform not frequently used by the younger generation. If I want to interact with Gen Z, I must find another way to attract their attention.
Analysing the data: These are the responses broken down into various categories
Awareness and Usage
Awareness: 83 out of 98 (84.7%) are aware of the water fountain
Usage: Out of those aware, only 8 (9.6%) have used it
Convenience of Location:
Convenient: 62 (63.3%)
Not Convenient: 2 (2.0%)
Uncertain/Conditional: 15 (15.3%)
Perceived Cleanliness and Safety
Clean and Safe to Drink:
Yes: 46 (46.9%)
Maybe: 36 (36.7%)
No: 3 (3.1%)
Regular Maintenance:
Yes: 48 (49.0%)
Maybe: 28 (28.6%)
No: 4 (4.1%)
Preferences and Environmental Impact
Carrying Own Water Bottle: 54 (55.1%) prefer carrying their water bottle.
Cultural or Personal Preferences: Only 1 respondent (1.0%) has cultural or personal preferences affecting their usage.
Environmental Consideration: 91 (92.9%) agree that using the fountain is environmentally friendly compared to bottled water.
Negative Experiences or Reviews
Negative Reviews: Only 2 respondents mentioned negative experiences:
One cited illness from drinking the water - I have no evidence to back this up, and as no names were collected, I cannot comment on whether this is reliable
One noted the lack of wheelchair accessibility - As was originally built in the Victorian era, I can confirm it is not convenient to reach
Summary
This is a summary of my findings
Awareness: There is a high awareness of the fountain but low usage indicates potential barriers or preferences that deter use. - Why?
Convenience: The majority of the community find the location convenient.
Perceived safety: A significant portion believes the water is clean and safe, but many are uncertain. - Mistrust of water authority (South East Water)
Maintenance Trust: Similar to safety perceptions, trust in regular maintenance is moderate. - Maybe they are not aware it is being maintained. I wasn’t!
Personal Preferences: More than half prefer carrying their own bottles, which could suggest a habit or trust issue with public fountains. So the (atomic) habit of carrying their bottles is already set.
Environmental Impact: High agreement on the environmental benefits of using the fountain. - Very positive
Negative Feedback: Minimal negative feedback, focusing on specific incidents and accessibility issues.
Possible recommendations and conclusions to investigate more.
How do I increase trust and usage?
Ensure and advertise regular maintenance and safety checks
Promote the environmental benefits of using the fountain instead of single use plastics
Provide clear information about water quality and maintenance schedules to build trustPossible Campaigns/creation?
Create awareness of single use plastics by targeting a younger demographics who may prefer bottled water
Encourage local testimonials and reviews to counteract any negative perceptions
Wayfinder graphics or lighting to promote fountain location
Read | Watch | Listen
It’s Nice That - Can neighbourhood branding projects truly serve the community?
I found this article and wondered about the similarities to my community project. The article discusses neighbourhood branding projects, highlighting the importance of authentic and community-focused branding to avoid alienation and gentrification. Wunder Werkz's work in Sun Valley, Colorado, and Lantern's project for Newington Estate in Kent are examples of thoughtful, culturally sensitive branding aimed at enhancing a sense of community pride and attracting positive development.
The key takeaways that could effect my project's choices include engaging with the community, creating adaptable and inclusive designs, and ensuring the branding reflects genuine community values and needs, especially to appeal to younger generations, which are the future of the town. This approach could help promote the newly restored water fountain by emphasising sustainability and community identity, encouraging young people to use it instead of single-use plastic bottles.
Applying these insights to my project to encourage younger generations to use the newly restored water fountain instead of buying single-use plastic bottles could be highly effective. These are my thoughts.
Audience engagement: Involve young people in designing the water fountain’s name and a brand look. Their input will ensure the branding resonates with their visual preferences and values.
Highlight sustainability: How can I emphasise the water fountain's environmental benefits?
Cultural relevance: Do I incorporate the unique cultural elements and integrate these into the branding? Although the historical Victorian era might make the project more meaningful and rooted in the local context, it might disconnect with the younger audience, who may find it historical and unappealing from an era they can’t relate to.
The tone of voice: By engaging in messaging that appeals to the younger demographic, I could include catchy slogans, social media campaigns, and educational materials about the impact of plastic waste in a friendly, non-patronising way.
Thoughts and ideas
What’s in a name. Does this resonate with the younger generation?
My other concern was the longwinded name of the drinking fountain, Jubilee Drinking Water Fountain. ' It’s ta bit of a mouthful, and I wondered if it could be shorter?
Jubilee - Although this refers back to its history when it was originally gifted from Rev. C H Payne Crawfurd in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, and again its restoration in time for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022, the next Jubilee isn’t until 2047 and does the younger audience have a disconnect with ‘Royalty’ and the word ‘Jubilee’? Or does Jubilee give it Hertitage?
Drinking—Does this word need to be in the title? Could it just be ‘Drinking Fountain’? Has this lost some of its magical appeal?
Water - Is this obvious if it is freshwater or supplied by South East Water - Is there a trust issue with SE Water due to their recent bad press?
Fountain - Possibly to emphasise that it is not a ‘feature fountain’ for aesthetics only, it has a purpose.
Ben Evan James -
Webinar Tutorial to discuss Critical Reports 24.07.24
In preparation for this week’s reading group, Ben sent us some examples of past Critical reports to highlight and prepare us for the thinking and shaping of our documents.
These are the helpful tips I took on board for a good layout":
Make it easy to navigate - Make sure to include clear chapter headings (Sign posting) so the viewer can easily work through your process - is it clear?
Start the section by reviewing what you set out to establish in the last chapter and repeating what you aim to conclude in this chapter. (Please note that I have also started doing this on this blog—mainly for my own benefit!)
Repeat the question constantly - to ensure you don’t stray from your original question. Is it relevant to stay on track?
Referencing a name - Mention why you know them, (don’t assume the reader will know), and why they are relevant to you findings.
Context - What research already exists and why is this important"?
Methodology - Clearly list it and break down any complex terms
It may be that you write your introduction and conclusion and then come back to it. You will most likely rewrite your introduction, don’t panic, just get started. Don't lose steam with your conclusion. If you can’t focus on what to write, break it down into bullet points then revisit it.
Find your time of day when you write best - Write consistently, an hour a day to keep up momentum. And be realistic - you can’t write for 6 hours continuely.
Reference List
Websites/Podcast
Visit East Grinstead. History of the Jubilee Drinking Water Fountain https://www.visiteastgrinstead.com/local-attraction/jubilee-drinking-water-fountain/
It’s Nice That. Can Neighbourhood branding projects truly serve the community? https://www.itsnicethat.com/features/neighbourhood-place-branding-wunder-werkz-lantern-dr-giannina-warren-graphic-design-180724