Research

Research Table

As we plan our project, we must do ample amounts of research to ensure we as a team understand our goals and gain a better perspective on topics of sustainability, festivals, and human behavior. We will keep track of all of our research in the table seen below.

Research Table

Research Interviews

Can you provide an overview of Downtown Tempe Authority's role in managing events in downtown Tempe, including any previous experience with large-scale events like music festivals?

Downtown Tempe Authority helps plan and organize events at places like Mill Ave or Tempe Town Lake. They work with other cities and companies to take sustainable approaches and to budget the events as best as possible. Lori also talked a lot about working and making connections with local businesses and always staying ontop of rules and permits within the city (Airport, Tempe Town Lake, Mill Ave)

How would this event go about encouraging attendees to use public transportation or carpooling to reduce emissions and traffic congestion? Is there any event that could be used as an example?

Lori provided us with information about the Tempe Bicycle Action Group (TBAG) bike valet, which provides Tempe events with an eco-friendly transportation option. TBAG was used during Oktoberfest and utilizes a ticketed system for the valet.

She also informed us of bike saviors, a non-profit education center that teaches about bicycle maintenance, repair, and safety.

How would we spread awareness of vending opportunities for both food vendors and small local businesses?

Food truck networks (sustainable)

Lori suggested creating a handbook agreement so that food vendors and local businesses would understand the needs and expectations of the festival. This would also allow us to find vendors who are willing to follow a sustainable approach.

Also understanding what small businesses sell and maybe configuring your event to help those businesses. For example: The shop across the lake is the only place that you can get hot chocolate.

Based on your experience, what are some essential tips for creating a successful and sustainable music festival, particularly in a city like Tempe?

Working with local businesses and overall having fun with it. Learning from past events and connecting with plenty of people to help you through the process

Do you happen to have any connections or know of any companies that could help us further? Do you know any companies or organizations that would even maybe like to work with us (sponsorship, food vendors, artists)

We could recruit from places like Oktoberfest, get contacts from Lori’s company, or talk to local businesses.

What problems have you faced working with some of these events or companies? What were some ways you worked through it, or do you have any tips so we do not run into these problems?

The main problems are weather, protesters (block off entrances, consult with pd), security and ensuring safety (shooters, unidentified bags, drivers), and collaborating with local businesses while not harming them but being mutually beneficial.

Brianne Fisher - Climate Action Manager & Dawn Ratcliffe- City of Tempe Coordinator

We were fortunate enough to speak with both Brianne Fisher and Dawn Ratcliffe during one of our interview sessions. Below will be some insights and points that we wanted to highlight that will help us with our views on Sustainability and properly implimenting those ideas into Tempe City Roots.

Have you always been a sustainable person?

Both Brianne and Dawn grew up with family practicing sustainable approaches and even got involved themselves at a young age.

Having a lot of experience especially in the Tempe, Arizona area, what things can we do as a team to help as much as possible?

Two big points really stood out to us and that was to, "Learn what people are doing right and use those practices to grow" & "How can we take proactive approaches to prevent future pollution?". We really liked these takes because it is really crucial to utilize resources that is already out there and then finding ways to make them better.

What are some events or people that could be really helpful during this project timeline?

ASU (recycling methods), Tour de Fate, Tempe Diablo, Ashley at Greenlight Solutions.

Trash Bag Notes

-One big point that we learned during this interview was that trash bags cannot be recycled and the proper way of recycling is to empty the bags and to throw them away or reuse after done. They recommended to stay away from bags as much as possible.

-City of Phoenix or City of Tempe are probably the places that will collect all of the trash and recycling. Most likely what will happen is that we will rent out the big trash cans to scatter throughout the area. They suggested that if we wanted to do anything to the cans, to not do anything permanent and to stay away from ware racks (they cost a lot and with uneven surfaces they will topple over easily)

Overall, it was super valuable to learn from both Dawn and Brianne about sustainable practices and what to look out for when coming up with an event here in Tempe.

Quantitative Research Survey

This section below was a survey sent out to people to collect general data of what people in the Tempe think about both music festivals and sustainablility. We tried finding people that were interested in both, but also wanted to understand the people that were not super into them so understand their viewpoints too. Results will be below!

Activity Research

Shadowing with Jhazzye Mosley, Student, MVCD working on Coral concert/event project

Jhazzye Mosley, a graduate student in Visual Communication Design, is leading an innovative project with her team members that combines music, art, and environmental advocacy. Her Coral event project not only raises awareness about the plight of coral reefs but also takes an uncompromising approach to sustainability and zero waste. By sourcing local, organic, and ethically produced materials, reducing single-use plastics, and actively minimizing waste generation, Jhazzye's project is proving that even in the entertainment industry, sustainability is achievable. This initiative exemplifies how small steps can lead to significant change, inspiring others to embrace sustainability in their projects.

Shadowing:

• The day starts with excitement as attendees eagerly prepare for a day of unique experiences.

• Many opt for public transportation or carpooling to reach the event, aligning with the project's sustainability goals.

• Arriving at the event venue, attendees are greeted by a bustling marketplace of eco-conscious vendors offering delicious, locally sourced food and beverages.

• Recycling and composting stations are strategically placed, emphasizing the project's zero-waste commitment and encouraging responsible waste disposal.

• Attendees immerse themselves in a world of art and music that goes beyond entertainment; it serves as a call to environmental action, forging a deep connection with the urgent need for coral restoration.

• This experience is a testament to the profound impact of Jhazzye's project, leaving a lasting impression of the power of art, music, and sustainability to inspire change and ecological responsibility.

Day in the Life

Journey of a typical user:

Today, I will be going to the Tempe City Roots festival to enjoy listening to music with my friends. I did my normal morning routine, packed a water bottle and some other items in a bag, and journeyed over to the festival in my car. Once I arrived, I met up with my friends and waited in line to get into the festival. My friends and I are huge music nerds and were really coming here for the music experience, so we were immediately prepared to listen to the upcoming set. After having a great time near the stage, I was hungry and decided to go get food and water, but I wanted to find my friends first. It was a little frustrating since it was difficult to navigate out of the crowd and pinpoint where we were all located. Eventually, we found each other and had some food, but now our main issue was locating the trash and recycling. There weren't any indicators and I saw many attendees just leaving their trash where they were sitting, which ruined the look of the festival environment. We searched and found some waste bins, but we noticed that people were throwing away their Styrofoam cups and plates into the recycling bin. I thought it was odd that there weren't really any indicators for what is actually recyclable, leaving it up to the intuition of each person. At this point, the next set was going to start, and I couldn't find any water stations near us. It was pretty annoying having to walk and figure out where the water stations were located, and as soon as I found it there was a line. This temporarily put a halt to my festival experience. Once I got my water, I went back with my friends to listen to the rest of the festival sets. All in all, I had a great time listening to the various artists at the festival, but there were definitely a few things I wish the festival organized beforehand.

Problem Statements

Problem statements are prompts that our team will use to come up with possible solutions during our design process. Each problem statement is focused on a single problem and describes an issue that a stakeholder is facing. After explaining a stakeholder's problem, we include research insights that provide context and potential solutions to the problem.

Team Oasis Problem Statement

User Personas

Name: Emma Lawson

Gender: Female

Education: Bachelors degree

Occupation: Marketing Specialist

Age: 22

Hometown: Seattle, WA

Current Location: San Francisco, CA

Marital Status: Single

Emma's Story

Goals, Desires, Obstacles and Needs

Meet Emma Lawson, a 22-year-old marketing specialist hailing from the vibrant city of Seattle, Washington. Emma recently made the exciting decision to relocate to San Francisco, California, in pursuit of new career opportunities and personal growth. She is a driven professional who values her career but also understands the importance of work-life balance.

In her limited free time, Emma immerses herself in the world of live music. She's an avid concertgoer, regularly attending concerts and music festivals in and around San Francisco. For Emma, live music is more than just entertainment; it's a way of life. She thrives in the electrifying atmosphere of concerts, feeling a deep connection with the music and the crowd.

Emma's passion for music extends to her hobbies. She occasionally writes about her concert experiences on a blog she manages. Emma loves exploring new music genres and discovering emerging artists. When she's not at a concert, you'll find her digging through record stores, collecting vinyl albums, and curating playlists to suit every mood.

As a concert enthusiast, Emma takes her event preparations seriously. She always carries a compact crossbody bag with essentials like earplugs, a portable phone charger, and a small notebook to jot down her thoughts and memories from each show. She's all about savoring every moment and capturing the essence of the music she loves.

Goals:

Emma's primary goal is to continue expanding her musical horizons by attending a diverse range of concerts and discovering new artists. She wants to create a rich tapestry of musical experiences.
Emma hopes to connect with fellow music lovers, share concert experiences, and maybe even find a concert buddy or two who shares her passion for live music.
Emma wants to find more ways to destress and have more fun in her free time.

Desires:

Emma's dream is to one day organize her own concert series featuring indie and emerging artists. She envisions creating a platform where talented musicians can showcase their work to an appreciative audience.

Obstacles:

Emma strives to strike a balance between her demanding career and her unwavering love for live music. She aims to make time for concerts despite her busy schedule.
Emma is outgoing but sometimes feels shy about approaching new people at concerts. She's working on overcoming this shyness to build meaningful connections in the music community.

Needs:

Emma seeks concerts that offer an immersive experience where the music takes center stage, free from unnecessary distractions.
Values accessible venues with ample facilities, such as water stations, comfortable seating, and clean restrooms, to ensure she can fully enjoy the music without worries.

Persona: Sustainably minded individual (Educated in sustainability)

Name: Sofia Castillo

Gender: Female

Education: Masters degree

Occupation: Urban Planner

Age: 35

Home town: Madrid, Spain

Current location: Reno, Nevada

Marital status: Married

Sofia's Story

Goals, Desires, Obstacles and Needs

Sofia Castillo is a 35-year-old woman with a passion for sustainability and art. She grew up in Spain but moved to Reno to pursue urban planning. She has always been environmentally conscious and wants to create sustainable communities for future generations. Her formal education gives her an understanding of sustainable city planning and green initiatives. She has an interest in indie rock and folk music and appreciates the sense of community and connection with like-minded individuals that music festivals provide. She has two kids and wants to introduce them to a variety of music genres and ways of living. Many times she finds herself torn between her love for festivals and her commitment to sustainability because of how poorly many festivals handle sustainable goals. Seeing sustainability take the front stage in a music festival gives Sofia hope for the future.

Goals

Discover New Music
Connect with like-minded people
Witness sustainable initiatives and innovations
Learn from sustainable efforts

Desires

Sofia wants to go to music festivals that prioritize eco-friendly practices because it makes her feel like the company is worth supporting. She wants to experience diverse music that includes indie rock, folk, and upcoming sustainability-conscious musicians. She desires a sense of community with individuals who share her values and tastes.

Obstacles

Many festivals are not eco-friendly, many create large amounts of waste and require an excess of energy.
Individuals will have different music tastes, which will make it hard to reach a wide range of genres.
Sofia must balance her professional life as an urban planner while also taking into consideration her sustainable lifestyle in her free time.
It is difficult to know which festivals are actually sustainable and which are greenwashing for the sake of marketing.

Needs

Genre-specific lineups
Community engagement
Eco-friendly festival options
Supporting sustainable causes
Learning about more sustainable solutions
Witnessing the success of a sustainable event

Persona: Mature Responsible Innovator

Name: Marcus Carver

Gender: Male

Education: Trade

Occupation: Computer Repair Technician

Age: 65

Home town: Chandler, AZ

Current location: Nashville, Tennessee

Marital status: Widow

Marcus' Story

Goals, Desires, Obstacles and Needs

Marcus Carver is a 65-year-old man who specializes in computer repair. He has been in his field for many years and is passionate about technology and innovation. He also has an interest in sustainable living. Born and raised in Chandler, he has witnessed Arizona grow and change around him for his whole young life. Since he felt the change, he has become increasingly concerned about Arizona and the climate crisis. Marcus is an optimist, however, and believes it's never too late to start making a positive change. He has been focusing on reducing his carbon footprint while still being able to explore and gain new experiences.

Goals

Gain new festival experiences
Participate in exciting events
Lower environmental impact while still living out retirement freely
Lowering carbon footprint
Engaging with the community he grew up in

Desires:

Find new products that can help him live more sustainably
Make friends and share ideas with sustainability-minded individuals
Try interesting low-carbon-impact food
Experience a festival with a mix of old and new music that gives nostalgia

Obstacles:

Marcus faces physical limitations due to his age
Even though Marcus is a computer repair technician, he isn’t very tech-savvy when it comes to online ticket purchasing or other festival-related activities
Since Marcus is retired, he is very conscious of his monthly spending

Needs:

Accessible facilities
Easy access to clear information about the festival online
Affordable tickets
Community Engagement
Sustainable practices promotion

Persona: Teenager

Name: Alyssa Foster

Gender: Female

Education: High school

Occupation: Student

Age: 16

Home town: Baton Rouge, LA

Current Location: Phoenix, AZ

Marital status: Single

Alyssa's Story

Goals, Desires, Obstacles and Needs

Alyssa Foster is a 16-year-old teenager who goes to high school in Phoenix, Arizona. She plans to attend college after high school but does not know what she wants to do yet. Her parents always stressed about staying clean and healthy, so Alyssa always pays attention to the cleanliness of her and her friends. Stemming from her older sister’s taste in music, Alyssa is heavily into all sorts of electronic music. Alyssa always bonds with her older sister through electronic music and she finds solace in being around individuals who share her taste and love for electronic music. Through social media, she has seen many videos on sustainability and the future of the Earth, so she always tries to clean up after herself. Still, sustainability isn’t at the forefront of her mind when she goes to large events. Alyssa made a lot of friends in the music club at her school and loves attending concerts and festivals with her new friends. Learning from being a part of her school’s track and field team, Alyssa ensures that she constantly stays hydrated throughout the day.

Goals:

Make the most out of her high school experience
Connect with people who enjoy electronic music as much as she does
Continue to stay clean and healthy
Attend more concerts and festivals

Desires:

Alyssa is unsure of what she truly wants to do, but she has considered designing an application that can connect music lovers of a specific genre with each other during concerts. Electronic music is a huge aspect of her life and really wants to keep that connection with music.

Obstacles:

Although she loves the energy of music festivals, Alyssa feels uncomfortable when she goes to a festival and ends up being right next to or on top of a large amount of trash.
Alyssa will get bored if she is listening to any type of music that she does not usually listen to for an extended period of time
Alyssa will follow sustainable practices when it’s encouraged but will be more lax about it for herself and her friends when it isn’t.

Needs:

Cheap and accessible food and water
The clean area near the stage to listen and dance
Generally needs electronic artists in the lineup
High-energy music for her and her friends
A sense of community and belonging

Persona: Child with ADHD

Name: Matthew Holloway

Gender: Male

Education: Elementary school

Occupation: Student

Age: 6

Home town: Harrisburg, PA

Current Location: Mesa, AZ

Marital status: Single

User Task Analysis

Stakeholders

Stakeholder Needs Assessment

Partnerships

Event Producers

Venue Management
Supplier selection (good selection of sustainable suppliers)
Relationship with recycling services/ waste reduction
Financial support

Keep Tempe Beautiful

Educators

Volunteers who can help educators run booths and assist them
Clear instructional material that is easy to understand and teach (infographics or written info)

Volunteers

Volunteering residents

Clear roles/ expectations
Training
Appreciation
Protection/safety
Perks

Downtown Tempe Authority

Exclusive access?
Networking/connections
Learning opportunities

Marketing Team - Marketing designers

Festival content that is intriguing to both music lovers and sustainability lovers alike
Sustainability content to promote that side of the experience

Media - External Coverage

Inside look into the event to entice attendees
Sustainability clarity (no greenwashing)

Musicians/Performers

Musician management
Artist manager

Clear scheduling of performance times and soundchecks
Promotional marketing through social media

Live agent

Travel and Transportation
Stage management

Publicist

Times for interviews to promote artist performances
Fan engagement

Promoter

Media coordination
Sustainability knowledge/literacy

Lawyer

Sustainability compliance
Proper stage regulation

Other

Educational performers

Coldplay and The1975 are just a few artists that embrace Sustainability
Alice Cooper is just one big artist who is from Arizona and who embraces Arizona lifestyles

ASU

Sustainability lovers

Working with people knowledgeable of sustainability practices to integrate them into our event
Adding features to the event to incentivize people who understand and know about sustainability

Innovation Space

Stage Design

Incorporating new technologies like drones, fireworks, and water to enhance the experience in a more minimal way
Creating an amazing experience for attendees and performers with a mix of speakers and lighting

Product Design

Creating an effective and efficient waste management system
Developing an app that attendees can learn and easily access for multiple purposes

Graphic Design

Graphics that can promote the event and be educational
Creating useful and visually appealing infographics that attendees can relate to

Crew - Technology

Technical setups that meet safety and regulatory requirements
Appropriate equipment and personnel to assist

Build restrictions - lighting

Spreading stages, speakers, and lighting enough so they do not combine with artists at the same time
Creating a fun light experience while keeping in mind restrictions from PHX airport

Event layout design - manufacturers

Spreading it out well to have ease of access to vendors and stages
Working with artists to create a beautiful experience for attendees

Vendors

Local Artisans

Local shops

Marketing with festival organizers to promote and advertise their shop
Information on attendees visiting local businesses and getting discounts for the festival. Figuring out which shops would be fine with this.

Native artists/designers

Security measures if they are located on-site
Assistance with licensing and permits to set up shop at the festival

Lodging

Local hotels

Occupancy count/rate during the festival
Coordination for room reservations

Airbnb/other rentable housing

Anticipation for increased demand, affecting pricing and availability of housing
Finding effective and efficient ways to balance travel to venue

Vendors

Merchandise Vendors

KTB Merchandise
Sustainability merchandise
Music merchandise
Merchandise from Sponsors

Local food trucks

Reusable cups and utensils
Plan for location and visibility

Ticket Vendors

Form of ticket delivery: e-tickets, physical, pickup at festival
Q&A station for people who may have questions before entering the venue

Attendees

Music Lovers

Adequate resting spots, restrooms, food and water
High sound quality, visuals, and effects

Sustainability lovers

Awareness of sustainable and eco-friendly practices at the festival
Spreading awareness to other attendees of proper waste management

Local community

Students (university, colleges, K-12)
Young Adults
Families with young/old children
Older generation

ADA Accessibility

Accessibility for amenities like food and water
Mobility assistance services using golf carts or staff
Ramps and pathways for people in wheelchairs
Raised Spectating areas for handicapped individuals

Other

Transportation services

Proper crowd management for organizing lines at transportation points
Online Maps (Apple Maps and Google Maps) understanding where roadblocks could be happening
Rideshare services understand proper drop-off and pick-up locations

Public safety services

Security

Proper safety and security measures for emergencies and accidents
Reliable communication and coordination methods
(Surveillance technology ?)

Emergency services

The layout of the festival with routing and emergency plans
Dedicated medical stations with space for medical supplies and equipment

Police

Layout and access points to the festival
Areas for traffic and pedestrian safety

Health Authority

Public Health Assessment and a passing grade
Crowd control
Emergency medical services
Waste management/sanitation

Other

Tempe Tourism

Arizona State University Sports and other school-related events
Tempe Town lake
Nightlife on Mill Ave

Legal

Getting appropriate permits to utilize features like big lights/ drones
Understanding what we are allowed to build on and develop for this event

Waste management

Waste collection containers for recycling, composting, and general waste.
Proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials

Decision Table

Decision Table Template

Analytical Hierarchy Process

Team Oasis - Analytical Hierarchy Process Template

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