Project Waller Creek: Prototyping

Team photo from week two of prototyping.

Over the course of three weeks, we prototyped three concepts that yielded us critical insights for our final proposal. Based on our previous sensemaking phase, we kept our two personas, Passerby Paul and Hang-Out Haley in mind when deciding on our concepts. As a reminder, our problem statement is: How might Waller Creek become a mental wellness resource to help Passerby Paul and Hang-Out Haley manage their stress?

We chose to prototype along the Waller Creek, and specifically in areas large enough to afford enough space for group gatherings and set-up. We wanted an area with enough traffic that was a convenient for someone like Passerby Paul to enjoy, but also a place with enough space and with a peaceful environment for someone like Hang-Out Haley to spend time. We discovered that the quiet, open space just north of 24th Street would be the perfect home to test out our ideas. The following image displays the area in which all three prototypes took place. Each prototype had a unique goal and validated a different idea and concept relating back to our insights.

Map of approximate location for all three prototypes. Graphic by Annie Xue.

Prototype #1

The pop-up violin concert. Photo by Madeline Goulet.

Our first prototype was a pop-up violin concert. Our goal was to create an engaging experience targeting students passing by through bringing live music to their daily commute. From this prototype, we learned that a less-formal event attracts more students and allows students to interact with the event in whichever way they felt most comfortable — whether that was sitting, standing or even just slowing down on their way to class.

Many passing students and faculty slowed down or stopped momentarily to listen to the pop-up concert. Photo by Lindsey Thompson.

Prototype #2

The sign at the front entrance for the community garden. Photo by Madeline Goulet.

Our second prototype was a community garden. Our goal was to create an experience that students like Hang-Out Haley would feel comfortable frequently come back to — by providing an opportunity for students to spend quality time interacting with nature. From this prototype, we saw that students actively participated in planting seeds — and concluded that when given the opportunity — students genuinely do want to spend time in nature to improve their mental well-being.

Students on their way to class stop to plant seeds in the community garden. Photo by Grace Kim.

Prototype #3

Students participate in an activity where they create their ideal relaxation space at Waller Creek. Photo by Annie Xue.

Our third prototype was a casual creek retreat where students could design their own waller creek experience. Our goal was to learn what kind of space would encourage students to come back even without a formal invitation — by seeing how students envisioned the future of this space. From this prototype, we found that students were more interested in things that create a relaxing environment — like hammocks and comfortable seating, rather than a high-activity environment — like yard games, or things that they found less purposeful — like public art.

We utilized all of the findings from the three prototypes in the final stage of the project. Read the final article for Project Waller Creek, where we reveal our final proposal!