Design DNA Paris

A Project of Parsons Paris School of Art + Design

23 FEB - 13 APR 2011

TEAM

Djinane AlsuwayehSarah De LatteAnna FerrierGiada FriedMinji KangElla KivinenPalden MacgamwellAlejandra TempranaVarvara TsepkovaCharlotte ZollerSali Sasaki (instructor)

Parsons Paris School of Art and Design

© 2011Copyright to all photographs, illustrations, concepts and designs belongs to the individuals mentioned above.

redesignparis.wordpress.com

23 FEB - 13 APR 2011 | SENIOR STUDIO

This multidisciplinary workshop is a study on design’s role in shaping cultural identities. Through field research and studio work, the students will notably explore how local assets can be interpreted through contemporary creative practices to (re)define the city of Paris as a global brand.

Learning outcomes

1. Field research: from gathering visual content to conducting interviews, consistently documenting research findings, and sharing creative perspectives with team members.

2. Design notions and processes for place-making: the tourist as user/consumer, the city as brand, visual translations of a city, experience-based design, design’s connection with social and cultural behavior.

3. Reporting skills and collaborative work: defining common goals/objectives and expected results, production of a collaborative report that includes visual and written pieces, content-sharing online.

FIELD RESEARCH

Field research consisted in gathering visual content, consistently documenting research findings, and sharing creative perspectives with team members.

PROJECTS

SNAIL MAIL

This project is an unconventional take on the traditional postcard that can be found in tourist shops. Why stick to sepia, when Paris boasts many bright colours?

With a palette inspired by macarons, perfume stores, and other street finds, Snail Mail is packaged in a textured paper case and includes stickers with which users can personalise their cards.

The cards are intended to be sold in a display stand that takes its colour and shape from the famous La Poste mailbox.

With a pop look and feel and a more contemporary take on Paris, these cards will be enjoyed by people from different generations.

SARAH & ELLA

PROJECTS

V MAP

Paris may not be the easiest place for vegeterian tourists and this map intends to bring an alternative Parisian way of life.

The V Map will be distributed at Velib stations and will be published in multiple versions that are adapted to various Paris districts.

The layout design lets the user personalise the map according to his/her needs and features a rating system to keep track of each restaurant.

PALDEN & MINJI

PROJECTS

CECI N’EST PAS PARIS

Our project is centered around the extraordinary, the unique, or even the random. After a better understanding of the characteristics we wanted to focus on through the fieldtrips and all the photographs collected, we found out this book was going to represent our own personalities and interests.

We decided to make a book in which the reader wouldnʼt only flip through pages in a passive way but would become actively engaged. Through the layouts one is discovering and unfolding sides of Paris.Moreover, we wanted to make in a sensory experience which would involve the sights, tastes and the sounds of the city. A CD and some suggestions are included in the book.

There are three different aspects in which our project captures Paris as a brand through our eyes:

THE SUBJECT We chose the characters based on our vision ofunconventional parisians. People whom you donʼt see on the surface of Paris. Thanks to them we explored their environment and through the photographs we got a glimpse of who they are.

PHOTGRAPHY AND LAYOUTWe wanted to merge our skills and show our style in one same book, therefore, we used the photograhhs and the layout in order to enhance the overall feel.

GIADA & ALEJANDRA

PROJECTS

WHITE LOUNGEAn interactive mobile application that guides the user in the city through playful itineraries, which are designed around the 5 senses.

A “lounge” will accompany the application as a venue where people can gather and share their experiences beyond the digital platform.

The concept relates directly to our raw material collected during our field research which we felt would best fit with Paris as a personality.

Our concept captures Paris as a brand by recalling its characteristic of a “white” aesthetic, with its multicultured dresses.

Each location has been chosen for its exceptional experience hidden in the heart of Paris.

DJINANE & VARVARA

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PROJECTS

PARIS IS BURNING

Paris is Burning is a set of luxury candles that, when lit together, creates the illusion of a melting Paris cityscape.

The concept is derived from observing cheap souvenir stores in the most touristic areas of Paris. It is also inspired by the quick realization that the trendiest stores in the city also behave as tourist attractions (i.e. Colette).

Where is the fine line between tacky and trendy? Could Paris be a quirky mixture of contradictions? This project asks the question in a humorous way.

CHARLOTTE & ANNA