Designing Visualizations of Social Activity: Six Claims
Thomas Erickson
ABSTRACT
In this paper, we describe a set of claims that have evolved from our work in designing visual representations of groups in online environments. We argue that these claims can serve as a good starting point for design work, and can drive critical discussions amongst design stakeholders.
Keywords
CMC, chat, guidelines, instant messaging, multi-user environments, social computing, visualization.
| Type/Subtype | Characteristics |
| Public/Central Park | Publicly developed and managed open space as part of zoned open space system of city; open space of city-wide importance; often larger than neighborhood park |
| Downtown Parks | Green parks with grass and trees located in downtown areas; can be traditional, historic parks or newly developed open spaces. |
| Commons | A large green area developed in order New England cities and towns; once pasture area for common use; now used for leisure activities. |
| Neighborhood Park | Open space developed in residential environments; publicly developed and managed as part of the zoned open space of cities, or as private residential development; may include playgrounds, sport facilities, etc. |
| Mini/Vestpocket Park | Small urban park bounded by buildings; may include fountain or water feature. |
| Central Square | Square or plaza; often part of historic development of city center; may be formally planed or exist as meeting places of streets; frequently publicly developed and managed. |
| — | Public place that memorializes people or events of local and national importance. |
| Farmers Markets | Open space or streets used for farmers markets or flea markets; often temporary or occur only during certain times in existing space such as parks, downtown streets or parking lots. |
| Pedestrian Sidewalks | |
| Pedestrian Mall | |
| Transit Mall | |
| Traffic Restricted Streets | |
| Town Trails |
| Playground | |
| School yard |
| Community Garden/Park |
| — |
| — |
| Atrium | |
| Marketplace / Downtown Shopping Center |
| Everyday Spaces | |
| Neighborhood Spaces |
| Waterfronts, Harbors, Beaches, Riverfronts, Piers, Lakefronts |
2nd edition
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Research has shown that successful public spaces are ones that are responsive to the needs of their users, are democratic in their accessibility, and are meaningful for the larger community and society. While considerable research has been done on needs and conflicts in open space, no one document integrates all this knowledge and makes it available to professionals, students, and researchers.
Research has shown that successful public spaces are ones that are responsive to the needs of their users, are democratic in their accessibility, and are meaningful for the larger community and society. While considerable research has been done on needs and conflicts in open space, no one document integrates all this knowledge and makes it available to professionals, students, and researchers.
Based on archival research; published case studies; site visits; and interviews with researchers, open space designers, managers, and users, Urban Open Space looks across several seminal studies to glean significant findings and design implications related to user needs and conflicts. It reviews and identifies those critical user needs that must be considered in the planning, design, and management of outdoor spaces, and synthesizes that knowledge into an accessible and useful document.
Mark Francis, a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, is professor of landscape architecture at the University of California, Davis, and senior design consultant with MIG in Berkeley and Davis. Trained in landscape architecture and urban design at Berkeley and Harvard, he is author of more than sixty articles and book chapters translated into a dozen languages. His books include Community Open Spaces (Island Press, 1984), The Meaning of Gardens (MIT, 1990), Public Space (Cambridge, 1992), and The California Landscape Garden Ecology, Culture and Design (California, 1999). His work has focused on the use and meaning of the built and natural landscape. Much of this research has utilized a case study approach to study parks, gardens, public spaces, streets, nearby nature, and urban public life.