Allen Wang

Wayfinding Challenge

“In fifteen minutes, find as many of the places on this map as possible. You may not use other maps or GPS devices to assist you.” How do people feel when they engage with the experience of being in interstitial space (or lost)? What tactics do they use to navigate in them? In November 2019, I conducted a gamified research activity on orienteering strategies and emotional journeys using non-linear maps—maps comprised solely of destination points with everything in between omitted. This was a part of my thesis exploration of the Situationist ethos of radical non-linearity: how might we break free from linear structures (e.g. in route-planning) by starting with our physical body as point-zero for reckoning the world around us?

“On my portfolio website, you can find an in-depth explanation and documentation of my thesis as well as its many satellite projects, alongside work in service design, design research, and a kaleidoscope of conceptual explorations. I'd love to hear from you if you have any questions, comments, or feedback—feel free to shoot me an email or connect on LinkedIn!”