Teachings, Workshops, Lectures - Graduate Coordinator - Game Design - Digital Aesthetics - Programming

SWEET AUBURN HERO WALK REVIVAL

SCADServe x GOOD560Sweet Auburn Revivial

Working with Sweet Auburn Works / SPARK Labs, Led a Group of 12 Student Designers to Create A Rewarding Visitor Experience, and Bring Attention to this History and Story Rich District.

OVERVIEWWorking with Sweet Auburn Works / SPARK Labs, Led a Group of 12 Student Designers to Create A Rewarding Visitor Experience, and Bring Attention to this History and Story Rich District.

The AskThe Hero Walk is envisioned to weave together the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail and John Lewis Freedom Parkway with Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and Historic Oakland Cemetery along with the emerging Memorial Drive Greenway and less activated parts of Atlanta's urban core, all while telling a compelling story of Atlanta's Black heroes past and present.Only 1.1 miles in length, The Hero Walk is an opportunity to experience the Sweet Auburn Historic District as a living monument, lifting up stories of the community through activating the existing built environment with strategies including historic markers and wayfinding, temporary and permanent installations, and more.

The ProcessTo bring walking traffic to the Sweet Auburn District, we would need to find reasons and values for the thousands of visitors to the MLK center. We began our research journey by immersing ourselves in Sweet Auburn's rich tapestry of history. Walking the storied streets of this historic Black neighborhood, we absorbed the powerful legacy of entrepreneurship and civil rights activism that still emanates from the buildings and landmarks.Armed with our research findings, we crafted a vision for an app that would serve as both a digital time machine and an economic catalyst for Sweet Auburn. We mapped out the important history landmark, and listen to a few oral histories from local residence, who had witnessed decades of change, and themed routes that connected seemingly disparate locations into coherent narratives. One evening breakthrough came during a community feedback session when a local restaurant owner suggested including "legacy business" badges for establishments that had operated continuously for over 40 years. This simple idea evolved into our "Sweet Auburn Radio" feature, which became one of the app's most popular elements. We carefully considered technical requirements, ultimately choosing a progressive web app approach to ensure accessibility across all devices with minimal download barriers.

OutcomePrototype of an interactive, gamified approach to a self-guided tour map. The lighthearted storytelling combined with rich musical heritage and historical significance resonated strongly with younger visitors, who particularly appreciated earning virtual badges while discovering Sweet Auburn's cultural landmarks.

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SA-Hero Hustle Vision Video Logo Edition.mp4

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