A look at what psychological drivers consumers have, and how we can use this to design more engaging, evocative experiences.

Questions Answered:
What do we know about what psychological motivators people have?
How can we apply this knowledge to what we design to make people connect and click more?
How might we develop this knowledge in the future?

We are creating a playful and imaginative art project for local people to build a collaborative platform game about the future of their hometown.

In the Spring and Summer of 2013 Ruth Catlow and Mary Flanagan will work with artists, software developers, game designers and all local residents to make a platform game of Southend called Play Southend. Residents are invited to create the game together inspired by experiences of their town. People of all ages and backgrounds will draw the backgrounds, players, obstacles and rewards and devise the rules of the game, deciding how the different elements relate and shape the world. Hundreds will contribute their drawings and thousands will play the game before the grand finale in Autumn 2013.

The Challenge
“People of Southend define your future together! Make decisions for the long term prosperity and health of all. If you draw it, it will happen.“

This open, participatory artwork and event series will provide a playful and imaginative way for people to get involved with civic and urban planning, planning their own futures with their community.

Questions Answered:
how can public play help with civic engagement and inform town planning