DEVIN VOWELS
A senior at the University of Michigan studying Urban Technology with a minor in Entrepreneurship.
I'm an empathetic and multidisciplinary thinker who is passionate about reimagining space and place-making for people—physically and digitally. I view design as a creative playground to build community and shape space for cultural progress.
01 Urban Street Planter Tool
02 Little Village Play Paths
03 Union Exchnage
04 Worldwide MI
05 Caution Signifier Devices
06 Apple Maps - Biker Awareness
-> other work
-> about me
05 CAUTION SIGNIFIER DEVICES
JAN-MAR 2023
Sophomore Design Studio
Role(s):
>Information Modeling
>Graphic Design
>Research + Narration
>Data Synthesis
Tool(s):
>Figma
>FigJam/Miro
>Illustrator
>Excel
A visualization of the spatial and social implications of traffic cones in various urban contexts.
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GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Investigate the traffic cone as a system rather than an individual object.
- Visualize the spatial and social relationships within the traffic cone system.
- Understand the way traffic cones are used in different urban contexts
UNDERSTANDING THE CONE
I conducted desk research throughout every stage of this project to better understand the origins of traffic cones, how traffic cones and signage are regulated, and the sociology and psychology behind signals. Traffic cones are unique because they typically don’t enforce movement, they suggest it because their design needs to be visible enough to be seen but invisible enough to see what it’s signifying.
MODELING THE DEVICE
These are synthesized visuals to help understand the interplay of traffic cones within the context of a broader social system. The traffic cone is not just static object but rather a guide through momentary disruptions.
MAPPING THE DATA
This visualization captures the interaction between traffic cones, hazards, and people within a shared spatial context. As the project's first visual, it establishes the analytical tone for the subsequent work. By diagramming the spatial logic and social interactions facilitated by traffic cones, this map directs the project's focus toward exploring traffic cones as delineators of space.
THE DEVICE AT WORK
This is a visual narrative that delves into how traffic cones shape movement within spaces. Because of their ubiquity, traffic cones are often subconsciously encountered objects. By dissecting and analyzing these cones, this project transforms them into data, revealing the intricate dynamics of authority, social cues, and traffic flow in the urban landscape.
PEOPLE AT WORK
These narratives offer insights into the various types of movement and patterns influenced by the traffic cone. It explores the balance between the influence of cones on movement and the reciprocal influence of individuals on the cones. This offers a deeper query regarding the authority of the traffic cone: they act as suggestions, affording individuals a degree of autonomy in navigating space.