Great jam. Great support and reception from the judges and others. Big thanks to the organizers!
Posts are in reverse chronological order. To familiarize yourself with our challenge and follow our process in sequence, please start with the oldest post and work your way up.
In case you missed the link to the mockup of the travel agency site, here it is: http://12amtiger.tumblr.com/lofiadventures
The site material contrasts city life to the simple and scenic life that promises relaxation with alluring images of the country and village folk.
A book that can be used to conceal hi-tech devices, like smartphones (so as not to stand out in a lo-fi environment and alert the locals).
Incidentally, the traveler can pretend they are reading Walden by Thoreau. Original title “Life in the Woods”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden)
Contents of the suitcase. Physical component of our kit. It contains special ID with an alternate identity and a chip that can identify the real identity of the traveler if needed, a book that can be used to camouflage a smartphone, diamonds and precious stones (local currency exchange), and other items, like paper map showing itinerary, bus pass, etc.
Brainstorming our deliverables: safehouse/lounge design, suitcase contents, marketing materials, website.
A design for the safe house / lounge where the traveler can relax, have a cappuccino, check the news, etc. The front for the house would be something unobtrusive, but there would be a secret lounge in the back/basement with hi-tech equipment, chairs, cappuccino bar, and other amenities.
We found it challenging to place our high-tech, well-off character in present-day Niagra Falls. So, building on the futuristic reference in the customer persona we were assigned, we envisioned a Niagra border in a future or alternate reality.
We did not have time to do extensive research on the local economies and socio-cultural factors on both sides of the border, so we emphasized a prominent feature: the contrast between the high-traffic, tourist-oriented Canadian side with a casino and a more subdued American side.
Building partly on the Love Canal (environmental/pollution) disaster on the American side and on our last constraint, which dealt with urban redevelopment and sustainability, we decided to create an exaggerated scenario, where the Canadian side has developed into a futuristic, corporate Las Vegas-style metropolis, while the American side has returned (by necessity or social restructuring) to simpler values.
This change created a kind of cultural tourism whereby high-tech international travelers come through the Canadian border to “download”or “go lo-fi” on the more simple, natural, and/or rustic American side. Our travelers are seeking either for novel experiences or respite from their fast-paced, futuristic life-styles. The idea of “supercharged brains” suggests a human pace of life that was not able to keep up with the lifestyle and need to be enhanced. We can imagine that this would have its toll perhaps on citizens of that world.
Niagra of the future. Hi-tech Canadian side, more turbulent waters separating it from the more rustic American side. Note huts and exaggerated vegetation.
(The Falls and highrises images are royalty free.)
Our customer comes from a high-powered, fast-paced, technological environment. In search of novel experiences, he travels to other destinations to experience a simpler life style. We are thinking: immersive, role-playing adventure.
Our “kit” is a service that combines physical tools that our traveler will need in unfamiliar territory as well social infrastructure (getting them there, safehouses, etc).
Multiple Border Crossings: cultural, geographic, class, technological borders, and identity borders.
Our second card presented us with another constraint: given tech/economic incentives, “many mid-size cities redo large portions of their urban fabric, buildings and land use. Cities and their inhabitants are able to “start-over” in a controlled process.”
