WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

Reimagining a new and transformative part of Riyadh

To experience AI collaboration and speculative design to envision projects of future

"All designs begin as fictions. As odd as it may seem, make-believe is how things come to be. Both past deeds and future dreams inspire people in the present."

- Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter in "Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future" from the Stanford d.school

The design process will include four steps:

THE PROCESS

Analyze transport projects developed under the 2030 vision to understand how they envision the future.

Precedent Research

Imagine projects and key elements that might exist in the year 2060

Brainstorm Scenarios

Define essential dynamics, features, and user experiences for these future projects, then generate AI-based visual representations of them.

AI Visioning

A good example of signals are "the launch of chatGPT" or "the fall of the iconic tunnel tree redwood" and good examples of drivers would be "artificial intelligence" or "climate change"

Create a prototype of your envisioned project, ensuring it effectively communicates its aesthetic, functionality, and user experience.

Artifact of the Future

Then, identify signals (glimpses of the future we already see today) and drivers (what made the signal possible)



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A precedent is a project done in the real world that can be used to help explain some of the ideas that will be covered in the studio or project.

Students should locate and critically evaluate precedents and demonstrate how the content of the relate to their projects.

Precedents generally fall into a number of categories:

CONCEPTUAL

ASPIRATIONAL

COMPARABLE

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is transforming transportation with innovative projects like the Riyadh Metro, eco-friendly smart buses, and the Haramain High-Speed Railway. Future opportunities include hyperloop technology for ultra-fast travel and expanded sustainable urban mobility, shaping a connected and efficient transport network. We will look into examples of current designs in the world and get inspired and link it to futuristic plan in Saudi Vision 2030

Precedent Research

1.

Precedent Research

Have a look at future transport projects/designs in the Precedents tab of the sprint..

Choose 1 precedents and sketch / write what you find inspiring or thought-provoking.

10 mins

1.

1 - ENCOURAGE WILD IDEAS

2 - SUSPEND JUDGMENT

4 - BUILD ON IDEAS

5 - BE VISUAL

3 - GO FOR QUANTITY

Wild ideas can often give rise to creative leaps.

Don’t shoot down someone else’s idea.

Aim for as many ideas as possible.

Build and expand on the ideas of others.

Sketch your ideas.

Brainstorm Scenarios

Imagine the possibilities of transforming Saudi Arabia’s new metro line into more than just a transportation system. What if we used it as a platform for innovation and creativity? Think about mobile pods—small, adaptable spaces that move along the metro line.

Multifunctional spaces, such as fitness centers, virtual reality zones, learning hubs, cafes, libraries, workspaces, and wellness centers. These pods can also serve as moving public spaces, like parks or art galleries, hosting cultural events, performances, and exhibitions.

Consider advanced technologies and sustainability

• Could they use AI to predict and respond to passenger needs?
• How might renewable energy power the pods, or how could their design minimize environmental impact?

2.

Brainstorm Projects

In groups of two discuss your ideas. Together, select one future project and collaborate for the rest of the Design Sprint to design and build your project. Start with sketching together to clarify your concept and think about aspect of the future project's form and function.

2.

15 mins

PROJECT EXAMPLES:

The School Pod is an elevated, self-contained classroom designed to bring education to students in a dynamic and accessible way. Running parallel to the metro line,

The Green Leisure System is an elevated network of transparent mobile and non-mobile tubes connecting buildings, creating a floating oasis of recreation and relaxation.

The AR Fitness Augmented reality checkpoints in each metro station offering challenges or gamified fitness experiences.

3 different idea for how to integrate city's many functions onto the transportation system

AI Visioning

5 mins

3.

You are now going to use AI as a collaborator to bring your ideas about the future objects you've envisioned to life. You might generate a variety of images, but by the end of this activity, you should have one favorite image of your artifact that shows a clear idea of its form and function.

Computers with AI webpage loaded

AI Visioning MATERIALS

3.

Note: You can use ChatGPT/ Dall-E, Craiyon, Canva, or any other AI image generator that you are comfortable with.

Now enter your text prompt into the generator and see the results. If you are not happy with the images, you can click "regenerate." You can also refine your text prompt in several iterations to get closer to a design that matches your idea.

3.

AI Visioning ENTER THE PROMPT

PROJECT EXAMPLE: Fitness hubs

First Prompt/ Image output

AR Fitness Checkpoints in Metro Stations:

• Set up augmented reality (AR) fitness zones in metro stations where passengers can engage in gamified physical challenges while waiting.
• These stations could offer activities like virtual cycling, step challenges, or guided stretches using holographic trainers.

Elevated Sports Tracks Along Transit Lines: Develop elevated jogging and cycling tracks parallel to metro lines and highways, lined with greenery for shade and air quality improvement. These tracks could feature smart sensors for step counting, speed tracking, and wellness metrics, promoting fitness during commutes.

Second Prompt/ Image output

Sports-Themed Metro Hub

• Convert key transit hubs into sports activity centers with mini football pitches, basketball courts, and outdoor gyms integrated with green spaces.
• These hubs can host community events and fitness programs, encouraging active lifestyles while reducing reliance on vehicles.

ThirdPrompt/ Image output

CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: SHAPING

Bending

Scoring

Curving

Faceting

Layering

Hinging

CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: JOINERY

Brads

Flanges

Brace

Skewer

Bend

Hinge

Slots

Butt Joint

Prototype your Artifact

45 mins

Using simple prototyping materials, create a model of the mobile solution you envisioned. Imagine this pod as part of a futuristic metro system; what does its design reveal about the daily life, technology, and values of that future world?

Note:

• Your artifact may contain some ideas about technology in its design. For the purposes of this sprint, you can represent components of the design without actually installing any technological components.
• The prototype should be bigger than your hand and smaller than your desktop, and be designed to show both your vision of the future and its functionality.

4.

ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Cardboard

Colored Acetate

Bristol Papers

Zip-ties

Straws

Metal Ruler

Pencil 

Markers 

Cutting Blade

Masking Tape

Hot Glue Gun

String

Brads

Popsicles and wooden skewers

PROJECT EXAMPLE:

Prototype

PROJECT EXAMPLE:

STUDENTS PAST PROJECTS:

Pods are futuristic, rocket-shaped vehicles that navigate the city through underwater tubes. They can separate into three cars to serve different destinations and later reconnect into a full pod before returning passengers to the surface.

STUDENTS PAST PROJECTS:

Hyperloop under the sea

STUDENTS PAST PROJECTS:

Hyperloop under the sea

STUDENTS PAST PROJECTS:

STUDENTS PAST PROJECTS:

STUDENTS PAST PROJECTS:

Desk Critiques

Group Feedback

Kinds of Feedback

There are three forms of feedback. Understanding these can help us understand the conversations we have with our teams and improve our own ability to react to and use feedback to strengthen our designs.



Reaction-Based

Feedback

Direction-Based

Feedback

Question-based Feedback

X

X



Share & Reflect

15 mins



5.

We're now going to share what we've created with the group and get some feedback.

Show your initial sketches and project concept, AI images, and low-fidelity prototype.

End of Challenge!