Degree Draft Project Proposal
- Design question
What theoretical or practical problem are you trying to solve? This should be carefully worded, and sufficiently specific, as it frames the semester’s work.
How might we enhance the shopping experience for people of color in brick and mortar stores who have to combat racial biases through the stores' design choices and or employees?
2. Sub-questions
How might we redesign a store's zoning choices in order to combat racial bias towards POC shoppers?
How might I bring attention to the effects of systemic racism?
(BASICALLY, CAN WE LEARN ABOUT GENTRIFICATION PRACTICES THROUGH LOOKING AT THE PRODUCTS DESIGN?)
TOPICS
RACISM + REDLINING?? + CONSUMERISM + HIGH END v. LOW END + General User Experience of Shoppers + BRICK & MOTAR v. SMALL BUSINESS + ADVERTISING PRACTICES
3. AUDIENCE
Grocery Shoppers + Grocery Employees + POC + Upper management associates + WASPs + Ethnic Grocery Stores + Reduced grocery stores + Local designers
4. Purpose
The intended goal of this project would be to gain further knowledge as to why certain design choices and to get answers as to why I have to “Go to the white store to find that.” or understand why packing choices differ. If these answers have reasoning that could be considered problematic I would like to know why.
5. Process
Most like I would go about this process by visiting most of the different grocery stores in the NWA area or Tulsa (trader joes) and compare and contrast similar products. I would also build a diverse group of participants and ask them about their shopping habits, as well as ask for photos of said products. It would also be good to ask general questions about their personal experiences they have while shopping.
Research wise It would be best to understand the shifts of Suburbanization/Urbanization/ Sprawl to see if they play a role. Learn more about packing design trends over the decades, as well as our country’s advertising practices.
6. Project Significance
Ideally, this project would have historical and contemporary importance and would leave viewers being more aware of their shopping practices and what options their community has access to. If possible I would like to improve the shopping experience for customers that aren’t usually afforded that ability (don’t know what that looks like).
