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SCD Redesign

Background

The Siebel Center for Design is constructed to facilitate the practice, modeling, and teaching of design thinking. It embraces a human-centered design approach to reimagine our campus, community, and the broader world. With its open spaces, expansive glass windows, and flexible, mobile furniture, the center fosters an environment of comfort and accessibility, encouraging the generation of new ideas.

Current Problems

  • Inadequate Number of Maps

  • Incorrect Map Placement

  • Insufficient Navigation Clarity

  • Difficulty in Following Map

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Current SCD Maps & Problems

​No clear distinction between each room

Considering the location of the two main entrances, a vertical map layout would be easier to navigate

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Although the map looks organized with the number labels and names on the side, it’s less convenient for people to read the map

The main problem:

NO PHYSICAL MAP IN THE BUILDING

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Ideation

Keeping all the building's issues in mind, we embarked on a thorough exploration of the premises. Subsequently, we compiled a list of the specific areas we aimed to address and resolve in our redesign. In our pursuit, we consulted the receptionist to identify the most common student inquiries, which led us to envision the creation of a navigational map for the building.

Given the absence of a physical map at SCD, we sought a solution on their website and opted to recreate it by illustrating the building layout and indexing the rooms. This was designed to greatly facilitate orientation for newcomers to the facility.

Our progress involved a continuous process of refinement. We honed all the ideas generated during our brainstorming sessions, ultimately shaping them into the map's design, and began the actual work on its creation.

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Interview

Luckily, we had the unique opportunity to talk to the facilities manager of SCD. Here are some key insights obtained through our interview with him. The discussion centered on understanding the purposes and functions of various spaces within the building.

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  • Building Layout and Numbering

The SCD building features a unique layout and building numbering system. The numbering system initiates to the left of the West Gate and follows a circular pattern, assigning four-digit numbers to all structures within the building.

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  • Moonlight Bay

Moonlight Bay functions as a rotating artist's residency space for short-term stays. It remains open for use when not reserved, providing artists with a creative environment.

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  • Sunset Studio

Sunset Studio operates as an open collaboration workspace, accessible to everyone unless reserved for specific activities. Its primary purpose is to facilitate work and workshops.

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  • Sunrise Studio

Sunrise Studio, much like Sunset Studio, serves as an open collaboration space. However, it is primarily designated for the SCD team, offering office space and facilities for team events.

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  • Hidden Classroom

The SCD building also houses a concealed classroom, likely located on the ground floor of one of the structures. The interview did not provide in-depth details about the nature and purpose of this classroom, suggesting that it may be used for discreet educational or training activities within the building.

Prototyping

In response to the unique challenges identified within the Siebel Center for Design, our project delved into the realm of prototyping as a crucial phase of the redesign process. Drawing inspiration from the center's commitment to human-centered design and innovation, our exploration led us to envision a navigational map that addresses common concerns.

​We started off with the idea of keeping the map’s original look and making changes based on it. Some of the changes include:

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  • room names directly on the spot instead of using numbers

  • categorize each room

  • color coding

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Prototype 1

  • Bubble Color Coding

  • Siebel Color

  • Horizontal

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❌

Then, we drew the map and set it up near the main entrance. We realized that a vertical would be easier to navigate because it aligns with the natural orientation when entering the building.

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​This was almost our final design, but there were still some problems with this:

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  • Fonts too big

  • Color contrast issue with some text and the background

  • Color coding is not obvious or effective

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Prototype 2

  • Text Color Coding

  • Add User’s Location

  • Rotate the Map vertically

Final Design

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Design Decisions

  • we kept the color coding on the side while introducing background color adjustments that align with each location. This ensures a seamless navigation experience, allowing individuals to effortlessly interpret the color-coded information.

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  • We enhanced readability by transitioning from color-coded text to a crisp black font, establishing a distinct color contrast for improved readability.

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  • We introduced a 'YOU ARE HERE' location sign, providing users with a quick and intuitive reference point on the map. This enhancement significantly improves their navigation experience by offering a clear indication of their current location.

Future Considerations

  • Conducting interviews to gather more feedback on the map design

  • Iconic representations for different spaces on the map and in the building

  • Creating QR codes for room reservations
     

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