Inglewood Community and Mobility Research
Project Brief
Aim and Desired Outcome
The Arroyo Group of Pasadena and the City of Inglewood brought to ArtCenter College of Design the challenge to Design an advanced transit system to link the Crenshaw metro station to the Forum and the upcoming NFL Stadium in Inglewood. And while doing so, enhance general redevelopment to create a higher quality of urban experience for residents and visitors.
Research Goals
Rediscovering Inglewood
As a team of 3 Designers, we were challenged to understand the needs and pain-points of the City of Inglewood by studying its residents, business owners, and visitors. And then design the best possible mobility service system that would maintain the core culture of the city and uplift the economy.
Who are the potential Stakeholders?
How will the Inglewood Revitalization plans affect the society and community fabric?
What are the socioeconomic challenges that the community faces?
What are some of the major economic drivers in Inglewood?
What are the possible transit options for the near and future development?
How can a mobility solution address all these problems and preserve the community's interest?
RESEARCH FOCUS
Case Studies
Flushing out already published data through Research Articles, and academic and white papers.
Developing and building context around the research areas and backing it up with data is very important to ground the research done and build on after taking into consideration every available perspective of the problem. Secondary Research is conducted to extract data, widen the scope and strength of the research.
Bench marking
Studying all the possible Advanced Modes of Transportation possible for design reference
Knowing what exists today in the world of advanced modes of transportation and studying their pros and cons is crucial before designing and brainstorming ideas for such a project.
Field Studies and Ethnography
Preliminary Field Visits, Documentation, and User Behavioral Observations
Conducting preliminary field visits for observations and documentation of user behaviors and area mapping the space is really important before conducting primary qualitative research. This ensures to capture all the necessary perspectives and views of the problem space in question.
Stakeholder Interviews and Discussions
Structured Qualitative Interviews, Quantitative Surveys, User Documentation
Conducting Primary Research and getting to know the stakeholders and their pain points is the most important weapon in a designer's artillery. Design is all about asking the right questions. The stakeholders interviewed were Inglewood locals and residents, business owners, visitors, and policy experts.
Business Owner
I’m glad that I can support African American businesses in Inglewood
Tourist / Visitor
I hesitate to go to a new place if it is unfamiliar”
Visitor / Tourist
When we look for a place to visit, we usually use social media and check the comments.
Inglewood Local
Inglewood is a place that African-American people can comfortably live in L.A
Inglewood Local
When I go to stores, most of the people there know my name. That is a beautiful feeling.
Inglewood Local
When I go to stores, most of the people there know my name. That is a beautiful feeling.
Business Owner
Market street has a Mom and Pop feel which is very native to Inglewood.
Tourist / Visitor
All the attractions we visited were suggested by our Airbnb host.
Affinity Analysis and Coding | Insights and Opportunities
Formulating Insights and Opportunities by Affinity Analysis and Coding Methods
After all the data from available resources are collected, the next step is Affinity Analysis. This is done by KJ Method to read between the lines, extract user behaviors and understand their mental model to define all the opportunity spaces for Ideation. Post-It notes and quick sketching are designer's best friend while doing this process. Clusters of information are segregated into emerging human behavioral themes, and Insights and opportunities are formed from them and reworded accurately for Design Ideation.
