Culture EX
ARTs & CULTURE-FOCUSED DIGITAL EXPERIENCE TO tell STORIES FROM NYC NEIGHBORHOODS and support local businesses
role: PROJECT CO-LEAD, design & business strategist
Team: minerva izaguirre, ling teng
Main methods I used:
+ UX/UI design & iteration
+ Product roadmap
+ Business model design
+ Landscape & market analysis
+ Stakeholder interview & synthesis
+ Personas & user journey map
The What
How might we tell stories from NYC neighborhoods in an engaging way while supporting local businesses that were hit hard during the pandemic?
Culture Ex is a digital cultural experience that aims to showcase a more beyond-the-surface exploration of New York City neighborhoods, while giving more visibility to local businesses. We were interested in using gameplay to bring alive stories from these communities, where arts and commerce co-exist to reflect the vibrancy of diverse cultures and diasporas.
The design solution is inspired by my neighborhood research “When immigrant-owned businesses meet community organizing” and Minerva Izaguirre’s research on museum’s participatory experience.
The Process
Landscape Analysis & User Journey
Concept Testing Synthesis
Prototype Testing
Iteration 1 - Low-fidelity prototype
Iteration 2 - Low-fidelity Prototype
Prototype Testing Feedback
Pilot
Our final pilot focuses on Chinatown Lower East Side, because it was where our research started, and also because this neighborhood was hit hard during the pandemic due to its dependence on foot traffic and tourism.
Our team had the opportunity to share insights from our project in the Participatory & Pluriversal Design Panel at Parsons School of Design’s End of Year Symposium. (starting at minute 57:55).