[DG: Open Forum] Access paths

[Perpich, Diana]

The real problem, of course, is complex-- not unlike web design-- with conflicting needs and expectations.  I work in that building, see that path from my workspace, and I walk that path daily (well, not yesterday!).  I've actually spent time considering that space.  

I think it was probably designed for two main purposes, as dramatic foreground to set off the building, and also as a flexible recreational space.  Think touch-football (it is Michigan, after all) or pickup soccer.  Problem was, the designers forgot to step outside the space and consider it's relationship to the other buildings (think other systems) on campus and to what students actually need to do, which is get to Point A to Point B as efficiently as possible.  Obvious parallels to educational tool design.

Wood chips would help with reclaiming the concept of intentional design.  And they would legitimize the demonstrated need to get from A to B.  But would they support the students' need to have this place to play ball?  Granted, the space isn't often used this way-- but sometimes it is-- and the fence might be an attempt to protect that important minority need.  And sometimes in Sakai we sometimes make choices to protect the silent minority (accessibility, security) that look really foolish to pedestrian users.

Oh, and by the way.  The result of the fence will be two dirt paths.  The original path is still viable for folks with average inseams.  The second path will aim toward the point where the bushes meet the sidewalk about ten meters to the west.  That second path shows up each spring when the dirt path turns to mud.  Users do the darndest things...



diana perpich | digital media commons | university of michigan

... and don't get me started about the bike racks.



On Aug 5, 2010, at 11:54 PM, Pavolka, Rita Kay wrote:

> Yep :-). However, there's a simple solution in the path example. Many  
> institutions put down wood chips :-)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Rita
> 
> (sent from my iphone)
> 
> On Aug 5, 2010, at 11:09 PM, "Nate Angell" <nangell at rsmart.com> wrote:
> 
>> Great example Jim! I recognize that path from my own visits to UMich.
>> 
>> So what's Sakai's fenced-off path: the back button? ;)
>> 
>> - Nate
>> 
>> On Aug 5, 2010, at 7:35 PM, Jim Eng <jimeng at umich.edu> wrote:
>> 
>>> An off-topic musing:
>>> 
>>> I work in a building that opened about 12 years ago.  Some people  
>>> put a lot of thought into the design of the building and how people  
>>> would get into it and out of it. Here is a photo taken from just  
>>> outside the front door of the building:
>>> 
>>> <IMG00321.jpg>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> That path started to appear shortly after the building opened.  It  
>>> has been used every day by dozens of people -- maybe hundreds of  
>>> people.  I have always thought of it as an indication that the  
>>> designers who worked so hard on this little part of the university  
>>> failed to understand some of the needs of the people trying to get  
>>> into and out of this building.  There are several other buildings  
>>> off in that direction, as well as a couple parking lots.  And the  
>>> only other doors on this side of the building are on the loading  
>>> dock.  But the people who used the building were able to correct  
>>> the oversight of the designers.  One person after another chose to  
>>> use the pretty direct route to the front door (except maybe on  
>>> rainy days).  In winter, a walkway through the snow quickly appears  
>>> -- following pretty much the same route as this path.
>>> 
>>> Now here's an update:
>>> 
>>> <IMG00322.jpg>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Those posts and chains were added yesterday.  I take this as an  
>>> indication that someone currently responsible for the design of  
>>> this little part of the university saw a problem.  But they blamed  
>>> the problem on the people who use this building and decided the  
>>> answer was to make it harder to get to and from the building.   
>>> Instead of turning the path into a sidewalk, they want to keep  
>>> people from using the path.
>>> 
>>> Grrrr.
>>> 
>>> What does this have to do with the design of webapps?  If we see  
>>> that people are creating their own paths through our pages, do we  
>>> put up fences and barricades?  Or do we recognize the natural paths  
>>> identified by our users and help make it easier for our users to  
>>> accomplish their goals?
>>> 
>>> Oh, nevermind.
>>> 
>>> Jim
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