Technology Map – Creating a Experience

Project Outline
The aim of this project was to create an eye opening experience for participants and that by not using a piece of technology. In this experiment the participants were to walk to a destination that they would usually drive to on a regular basis. This was to open there senses to the environment around them and take in what they would usually miss out on if they had of drove. This could be observations, smells, touch, personal feeling and even having some time to themselves to reflect if they could do this again and maybe even find it enjoyable.

During the walk participants where allowed to record any observations, feeling or thoughts in any way they wanted. After the walk they then answered a few simple questions. I did not want the participants to answer questions along the way as I wanted them to take in there surroundings in a natural and comfortable manner that suited them.

The data that I received from the participants was used to make the graphs to the left and below. The outer citcle of the graphs show the participants enjoyment, self satisfactions, time taken, importance of this thinking time, observations made. The inner circle of the graph is a break down of the type of thinkging the participants did during their journey. The graphs are not you traditional bar graphs, as I wanted to create a positive experience for the participants, I wanted the data to be displayed as a experience also, a visual experience of their journeys. Meaning that the graphs can not only be read for their basic data but are a visual experience in themselves that they could take away with themselves. As each persons experience is different and how they rate their thoughts and feelings on their journey, each graph is different and uses a circular field to allow the graph to start at any point making the graphs even more individual.

Conclusion
Each participant came out with a positive experience. Results may differ if tested on people from different age groups, employment, social status etc. The experience also left all people with a sense of self satisfaction, not only environmentally but that they realised that they do not have to rely on technology or their cars for transport. Participants all also noted that they enjoyed the time to themselves to relax and get lost in their own thoughts and felt a sense of rejuvenation of the mind when they arrived at their own destination. Each participant recorded similar results in the amounts of each type of thinking done during their journeys. This shows that they used their time efficiently and produced as result that I predicted. Each participant enjoyed their journey and all said they would be prepared to make this journey more often.