Walking on Waters

The Role of Graphic Design in Social Awareness, GRDS-726, Fall 2011
Professor Louis Baker
intro picture for Baker class

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

‘Walking on Waters: Re-imagining Waters Avenue’ was modeled on the award winning ‘Box City’ curriculum. Working with children at multiple branches of the YMCA, our objective was to educate and empower them to envision an ideal urban environment. We were hoping that their unbridled creativity would capture the imagination of the larger community—encouraging discussion and collaboration between citizens, community organizations, and government agencies. If successful, ‘Walking on Waters’ could play a small part in the planning and execution of a socially and environmentally responsible revitalization of the Waters Avenue corridor in Savannah.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS:

Student designers from SCAD planned and designed the curriculum for this lively event. Working with children at local YMCA’s, they brainstormed a list of services and amenities common to healthy communities—these included things such as playgrounds, hospitals, restaurants, stores, and banks. Next, the children were given boxes and art supplies—each designed and decorated their own unique structure. Later they assisted with the urban planning by placing it within a simulated Water’s Avenue map. Together the participants created a playful, imaginative prototype that was displayed in multiple locations and seen by members of the community, including the Mayor and City Council members.

 

DELIVERABLES

• Marketing Plan

• Identity design

• Curriculum Booklet

• Brainstorming Posters

• Presentations

 

EXTERNAL LINKS

http://www.thecreativecoast.org/

http://www.cubekc.org/architivities/box1.html

 

POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS

With “Walking on Waters” successfully prototyped, we could work with students at Spencer Elementary School. This would allow us to teach the principles of urban planning to older students, and provide the added benefit of working with children that live in the Waters Avenue area. Public exhibitions would be held within the corridor and other locations throughout the city. The intention would be to garner media attention, and increase public awareness and support during the continuing redevelopment process.

 

NAMES OF STUDENTS

Mahmoud Alkhawajeh, Jessica Bronson, Benjamin Cochrane, Rachana Hakani, Yi-Chun Lin, Yu-Wen Pan, Yahayra Rosario Cora, Emily Scott

 

KEY PARTICPANTS

• Landis Faulcon (Consultant to the City of Savannah)
• Jerome Meadows (Artist/Owner of Indigo Sky Gallery and community member)
• Michelle Hunter, Contract Coordinator (City of Savannah, Dept. of Cultural Affairs)

• Jake Hodesh (Director of Creative Coast)

• Habersham and West Broad Street branches of the YMCA



Proposal Presentation

Curriculum booklet

Marketing Plan

Creative Coast Presentation, pt. 1

Creative Coast Presentation, pt. 2

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