Client - iSchool/School Of Information Studies, Syracuse University
Project: Implement An Interactive Experience That Promotes The City of Syracuse In An Innovative Way.
Design Firm: Independent Project
The Infospot was part of an urban development initiative known as The Connective Corridor in Syracuse, New York. It was a public works project between the City of Syracuse and Syracuse University, whose goals were to develop streetscapes, roadways, as well as pedestrian and bicycle paths from the university to downtown and local neighborhoods.
The driving logic behind the design came from the a partnership between the School of Information Studies (iSchool) at Syracuse University, one of the top rated schools in the country and The Tech Garden, an innovation and technology incubator that also houses the Student Sandbox, an iSchool program focused on start ups.
The primary design direction focuses on a natural material that reveals a hidden and unexpected interaction. The city footprint is used to create a graphic pattern that is void of street names or other icons. Circular exhibits that speak to the cities attractions and destinations are found around the map pattern.
These exhibits have touch sensors that fire off LED lights that illuminate the corresponding areas on the map that can be seen through the wood background. This board is housed in a pylon made up of shapes and typographical accents that form a gateway feature that looks as if it has grown out of the planting bed it is mounted in. This experience is completely powered by solar technology.