Designing Streets on Tynwald Day

Tynwald day on the Isle of Man is a national day celebrating the parliament and everything local. I decided to run a test workshop as a personal initiative to see how people engage when asked to contribute to designing public spaces.

I prepared simple blank A4 sheets, markers, crayons and some elements for inspiration. The pre-cut shapes were in equal scale, including greenery, trees, benches, market stalls, tables, parking places, bus stops, bike parking, water elements or random colourful shapes that could represent anything the designer wanted.

I collected 12 final designs from people of all ages and backgrounds, visitors and locals. What they all had in common was they all saw the street as a space to spend time, not only commute. Benches, tables, markets, and places to meet and hang out were in every design.

I think it was a success. I learned how to approach people when I want them to be creative in a task.

Later I turned all the designs into illustrations to see and show how these streets look in real life.

I would love it if the people who designed their streets saw these illustrations and commented if they followed their ideas, but it would be hard to backtrack.