Shopping in the London Underground
I'm kinda thinking that there's no aim to this blog other than for me to tell you people of stories and such like life-activities. It's not as if this blog has anything remotely useful or unique to offer. Doesn't mean I'll stop posting, but just thought I'd let you know.
Was looking through Design Week (issue 15th Sept.) for the latest on all things 'designy' and there's some interesting things on developing certain London Underground stations into small shopping and relaxation stations. Such places are to include; Tube Stop shops (for groceries, dry-celaning, etc.), restuarants and bars, places to rest, and communication stations (like phones and internet). There's a nice render of what Keane Brands wanted the stations to look like, and it looks just like a normal bar. Transport for London (TfL) and such like want to get this going calling it 'Underground Bar Kitchen' (UBK).
Now I'm thinking that this is going to make London public transport that little bit more enjoyable. I know it's not going to effect the services we currently have, but at least things will be more bearable. At very least, it is possible to meet friends and colleages away from the hustle and bustle of London streets, and meet in a relatively quietened-down area before venturing forth.
But of course, what use is this if everyone hates public transport and decides not to use the Underground. TfL needs the money for improvements, but commuters won't use the system because there have been little or unnoticeable improvements. It's a classis Catch-22, so someone will have to fold for there to be some advances. Unfortunately, it seems that the government/TfL assume us travellers are willing to bail-out and pay hiked up fees (as I hear that prices for London transport tickets are to increase next year). Are we really? - well, most probably seeing as we're paying out our noses for everything else. Even though the TfL/Ken Livingstone have a sizable chunk of funds for development (about £10bn over the next five years), I very much doubt that more than half will go to the system itself and more likely that the fat-cats will lick up that creamy milk of money instead. Pessimistic or just plain fact?
Okay, so we give them the money and we expect tangible rewards - we want something that we can see and easily notice, knowing that our money has been spent appropriately. And I'm sure it is (or will be) but the thing is that TfL aren't doing it regularly enough. Yes, I'm sure that you can point out the improvements here and there, but I suspect that they've been sparodic and that's the problem - having big improvements every-so-often may not be the best way to go about things. How about smaller but more regular improvements? - this way, people may feel that their daily payment for tickets is being properly managed and used. Maybe they could think of it like a child saving pocket-money - maybe every month theirs a magazine that they want to buy and share with others. TfL could be the child; they get (pocket) money from commuters to which they spend on improvements, say a visual 'in-train/tube' station location system with destination direction aid. I saw this in Spain and it was basically a standard train map where the current station would light up and an arrow pointing in the direction of travel. I know that the Tube has scrolling message boards but for quick confirmation visual images are much better - especially for foreign travellers and holiday-makers. Even I have to ask when I'm in a rush, making split-second decisions on whether the Tube is north- or south-bound. Maybe I'm just illiterate.
However, there's a flip side to this argument supporting increased ticket fees and improving the locale more than the system itself. And it's to do with human pyschology in relation to design - and here's my spin on things from what I've research over the past year for my Masters:
Design something aesthetically pleasing and people will forgive/overlook the shortfalls.
The two aspect may seem unrelated but it's been researched by others in the design-field that; where positive aesthetics come into play, users themselves feel more positive. Consequently, the users will be less frustrated to problems and more open to suggestions. That is, aesthetically pleasing objects improve their usability (as well as the obvious ergonomics of the product/service). They won't solely focus on one method to solve a problem, but will think more. And this is something that Keane Brands and TfL can aim to work towards - basically, it's a cheating way to get commuters to feel more positive towards the London transport system. Essentially, there needs to be a way to relieve the frustration of the common problems with the transport and this may be to distract people from the actual problems.
Funnily enough, their 'new three-year design roster [is] up for review next month' and that the 'new frameworks [product development, branding and graphics] must be in place by 1 April 2006'. Hmm, April Fools anyone?
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