This paper reflects on how principles of interaction design (IxD) can inform the redesign of urban spaces through public art. Using the Viva Slough #Artscape project as a case study, it describes the process of transforming Mackenzie Street, a neglected passage at the gateway to Slough’s town centre. Through workshops, prototyping, and iteration with residents, artists, and local groups, we developed design ideas that transformed both the appearance and the use of the street. A large-scale Welcome installation and music-themed murals encouraged people to cross, pause, and interact within the space. The outcomes were assessed through observation, informal feedback, and social media, which indicated increased pedestrian use, positive local responses, and online sharing of the artworks. At the same time, tensions around aesthetics, funding, and maintenance revealed the limits of design alone. The case demonstrates that participatory interventions can shift perceptions of place and highlights the importance of sustained engagement for lasting impact. It offers insight into how interaction design principles can extend beyond digital systems to shape more inclusive and engaging urban environments.

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Viva Slough’s #Artscape: Applying ID Principles to Redesign the Perceptions of a Town

  • Tarcila Broder

摘要

This paper reflects on how principles of interaction design (IxD) can inform the redesign of urban spaces through public art. Using the Viva Slough #Artscape project as a case study, it describes the process of transforming Mackenzie Street, a neglected passage at the gateway to Slough’s town centre. Through workshops, prototyping, and iteration with residents, artists, and local groups, we developed design ideas that transformed both the appearance and the use of the street. A large-scale Welcome installation and music-themed murals encouraged people to cross, pause, and interact within the space. The outcomes were assessed through observation, informal feedback, and social media, which indicated increased pedestrian use, positive local responses, and online sharing of the artworks. At the same time, tensions around aesthetics, funding, and maintenance revealed the limits of design alone. The case demonstrates that participatory interventions can shift perceptions of place and highlights the importance of sustained engagement for lasting impact. It offers insight into how interaction design principles can extend beyond digital systems to shape more inclusive and engaging urban environments.