DESIGN LAB ON WHEELS

Client: Studio O+A

Location: San Francisco 

Scope: Pop Up Graphics, Branding, Book Design

Year: 2018-2019

Category: Experimental Design Lab

Team: Verda Alexander, Christina Cho, Paulina McFarland, Marbel Calderon, Nikki Hall, George Craigmyre, Al McKee, Chase Lunt, Elizabeth Vereker

Part social outreach program, part design crusade, and part radical art lab, the truck's itinerary is project-driven, exploring how design can be a force for good, particularly in localities it hasn't been a factor. - Al McKee, Head Writer at Studio O+A

This project began at Studio O+A with founder Verda Alexander's unexpected idea of taking design on the road. Her vision was to bring design thinking to communities that needed it most, launching a series of social engagement projects. We brought this vision to life with vibrant colors and a sense of adventure. The truck's graphics evolved at each stop, much like a suitcase collecting travel stickers, capturing the spirit of the journey. To create a tangible presence at every location, we also designed a CNC-routed template and pavement art, defining a physical boundary for our mobile lab.

PROJECT GRAPHICS
We aimed to set the brand apart by creating graphics that are distinctive, mysterious, and approachable. Modularity was also an important factor; we wanted a flexible system that could be arranged and rearranged in infinite combinations without disrupting the overall look and feel. The graphics were divided into three categories: tools, architecture, and people, communicating that we are makers, planners, and designers.

The truck hit the road, visiting several locations across California. The projects varied, focusing on developing creative solutions to activate desolate city centers, revitalizing dams, and reinvigorating community programs. The team set up in central locations, such as parking lots and community centers, to conduct workshops and engage with residents about their needs and ideas.

In Bakersfield, we transformed a parking lot in front of Cafe Smitten into a vibrant hub, hosting a three-day workshop aimed at reimagining the downtown and Eastchester areas. We organized a community event where city officials met with residents to discuss future planning and the restoration of neglected areas in downtown.

On day one, we created a welcoming space around the truck to interview residents and encourage them to creatively brainstorm ideas for the "Imagine Eastchester" neighborhood. Day two was dedicated to making, during which we constructed modular parklets from wood to be distributed throughout downtown. These parklets featured spaces for trees or plants and could be reconfigured to foster connections and promote conversations. Day three we closed out with a community party and pecha-kucha style presentation of similar projects and inspiring neighborhood planning in other cities.

Food for Thought Design Lab and Truck was a successful and significant design experiment that demonstrated the importance of embedding designers, planners, and architects within communities. This approach is essential for understanding people's true needs and for envisioning spaces that accommodate and are truly inclusive.