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Student project
SPACE HOG
This comic strip was part of my college assignment. It’s a comic book that illustrates the issue of motorbikes encroaching on pedestrian sidewalks.
Ideation: Inspired by my real-life experience of motorbikes encroaching on pedestrian space, I wanted to depict this situation in an engaging way. I chose to create a comic book, illustrating the motorbike rider as a pig (hog) to symbolize greed, and the pedestrian as a rabbit, representing a small and vulnerable character. Through these visual metaphors and the playful comic style, I aimed to convey a meaningful message.
Reflection: This was the first project that sparked my interest in drawing comics. Although deciding to create a comic was a new experience for me at the time, it was a fun opportunity to explore ideas and indulge my passion for drawing.
1. Overview
Context: The project focuses on a neighborhood in Ho Chi Minh City, primarily a dining and service area geared towards students, consisting of street food vendors, small eateries, convenience stores, and student boarding houses. The area operates day and night, and its development heavily relies on students from nearby universities.
Problem: A significant issue identified is motorcycles riding on sidewalks, creating unsafe and inconvenient conditions for pedestrians.
Goal & Solution (A vision for 25 years later - 2049): The project proposes a speculative design aiming to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment. The main solutions include:
Developing modern pedestrian overpasses/elevated walkways incorporating elevators, escalators, renewable energy, and green spaces, ensuring accessibility for everyone, including the elderly and people with disabilities.
Upgrading sidewalks below with barriers that integrate traffic noise reduction features and prevent motorcycles from recklessly mounting them.
An initiative to reuse old helmets as planters for greenery on sidewalks ("Helmet Gardens") to reduce waste, increase green spaces, and discourage sidewalk riding.
2. Research & Inspiration
Initial Exploration (Sensory Workshops): Conducted sensory exercises (images, sounds, habits, smells, texts, spatial) over the first two weeks to gather detailed information about the neighborhood.
Gigamap:
Compiled data from sensory workshops to create a Gigamap.
Analyzed and created minimaps of key elements like rental spaces, public spaces, private spaces, sounds, and smells characteristic of the area.
Identifying Key Events/Interactions: Listed and analyzed 3 prominent events/interactions within the neighborhood, including talkative food sellers, motorcycles riding on sidewalks, and sidewalk eatery activities.
Speculative Design:
Applied analytical "lenses" (e.g., housing affordability, traffic congestion, environmental degradation) combined with the identified events.
Developed timelines predicting changes over 25 years (2024-2049).
Wrote a "1 Day Diary" set in 2049 to imagine the changed urban life and space.
Other Inspiration: Warm-up drawing activities in class (15-minute drawing sessions) occasionally provided ideas.
3. Sketch & Ideation
Defining Goals & Objectives:
Created an additional minimap for the "riding on the sidewalk" event.
Developed 3 main goals, each with 2-3 specific objectives.
Analyzed aspects such as positive impact, problems & solutions, and challenges for each objective.
Deciding on Ideas:
Discussed and received feedback from the lecturer based on the outlined goals and objectives.
Decided to choose Goal 2: "To create friendly walking areas just for pedestrians" as the focus for the final project.
Developing Detailed Ideas:
Sketched visions for 25 years later (6 sketches for scenario 2).
Detailed concepts for friendly pedestrian overpasses/elevated walkways, integrating technology and green spaces.
Sketched ideas for upgraded sidewalks with noise-reducing barriers preventing motorcycle access.
Conceptualized the reuse of helmets as gardens ("SNET" - Helmet Gardens).
Planning for Design Outcomes:
Created storyboards and character designs (rabbit for pedestrians, hog for motorcyclists, turtle for the elderly) for the Comic Strips.
4. Final Design
Comic Strips:
Format: Wordless comic, storytelling through images.
Content: 3 parts - (1) Personal story of pedestrian challenges in 2024, (2) Pedestrian experiences in 2049 with the new solutions, (3) Motorcyclists' experiences with the recycled helmet gardens in 2049.
Style: Referenced various drawing styles and incorporated lecturer feedback.
Dimensions: 30x40 cm vertical pages.
Eventscape:
Format: Horizontal timeline from left to right.
Content: Minimal depiction of changes in traffic and streets related to pedestrians and motorcyclists as outlined in the project.
Style: Initially planned as flat vector design, later changed to hand-drawn style, creating a convex lens perspective for depth and visual interest, aligning with the comic strip style.
COMIC STRIP
Part 1: WHERE SHOULD I GO?
Part 2: GO! GO! GO!
Part 3: HELMET GARDEN?
PROJECT'S EVENTSCAPE
5. Real-world Application (Future Potential)
Improved Safety & Accessibility: The proposed elevated walkways would separate pedestrians from traffic, minimizing accidents and creating safe zones. Integrated elevators/escalators ensure accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Green & Sustainable Urban Space: Incorporating greenery on elevated walkways and the "Helmet Gardens" initiative contribute to urban greening, improved air quality, and waste recycling (old helmets). Renewable energy technologies (solar, piezoelectric from footsteps) reduce reliance on traditional energy.
Noise Pollution Reduction: Sidewalk barriers designed with noise-dampening features improve the quality of life for residents and pedestrians.
Traffic Behavior Change: Creating attractive pedestrian spaces, physical barriers, and the "Helmet Gardens" (discouraging riders from damaging plants they helped grow) could contribute to reducing sidewalk riding.
6. Conclusion & Feedback
Learning Process:
Initial Difficulty: Understanding the material and ideation for speculative design.
Overcoming Challenges: Attending classes regularly, discussing work, and receiving continuous feedback from the lecturer provided direction.
Biggest Takeaway: The value of keen observation of the living environment and increased use of senses. Gained better awareness of local urban issues.
Feedback & Iteration: Lecturer feedback was crucial in choosing the project direction (selecting Goal 2), developing ideas (expanding from overpasses to sidewalks and barriers), and refining design outcomes (changing Eventscape style, tweaking comic strips).
Positive Aspects: The freedom to choose the final design outcome based on personal strengths (illustration) reduced pressure and increased enjoyment.
Overall Assessment: The course served as good preparation for third-year students facing real-world work challenges. Felt appreciative and proud after completing the course and the project.
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