Intervention 2—-Event—-Box of curious

Research Question: How can design develop positive connection between homeless people and society?

What are you curious/unknown about homeless people?

Since the lockdown finish and business on streets start to return, I decide to go on street to see what ordinary people is thinking about homelessness.

The “box of uncertainty” inspired me, why don’t I put a box of uncertaint in the public and let them fill?

Therefore, I made up this “Box of Curious” box, and put a provovative question next to it—“What are you curious/uncertain about homeless people?

I acting like a homeless people sitting by the road, except the box and my glasses made me different. I weared a black coarse cotton jacket, white bland black and white casual shirt inside, with a black suit trousers and leather trainers with stains on. Sitting by the main road next to coals drop yard from 1pm, with the box and question, and I flimed the whole process(one hour).

Key Screenshots for my Video filmed:

What happened?

I made myself quite obvious behind the background, and most people didn’t want to respond my question. They usually made jokes on me in wisper, or simply ignored. In an hour, hundreds of people go passed, and only a couple and a kid girl have conversations with me.

I am able to make up quick prototype to materialise my ideas more proficient than before. Speed matters. Brown(2009) stated that the faster we make pur ideas tangible, the sooner we will be able to evaluate them, refine them. And I am able to step out to the public and test my ideas with certain bravery.

Although very few talk to me, but the people who gave me feedback are very helpful. The couple said:”I mostly feel synpathy to them, since I know many of them are born to have these peoblem” “effort, what effort they put into the situation to make it better?” The girl said “Why there is a Sainsbury bag in your box?”. The first two question is always the key question that I need to think and investigate during my project. The second is made by a lovely young girl. Unlike adults, children tend not to disguise their feelings, but usually amplified them.  It reminds me to mind the details in the future, try my best to make sure people are not distracted by the rough edges.

Ideas and thinking:

From the feedback which the little girl gave me, and also people’s reaction to me, it is necessary for me to research on how can I prototype my question in a better way so that people in public will make sense. For example, in the near future, I need to find out how the physical and psychological feel of design can impact on homelessness and other citizens? how perception of 5-senses impact on stakeholders’s judgement? how can I leverage visceral, behavorial and reflective design in a harmonious balance to prototype my question?

Location matters. This time, I did the intervention in an area called Kingscross 1. From hindsight, there are many security guards supervising so people might take extra attention to their behavior and be more cautious. Next time, I might need to shift the experiment location to more liberal,creative, and safe place, such as college and cafe.