The Use of Digital Fabrication as a Support to the Production of a Spatial Orientation Model at Santa Catarina Federal University

Abstract

The aim of this research project is to build and evaluate a model supported by digital technologies to help spatial orientation in the Federal University of Santa Catarina campus. The process explored a people-centered solution, based on Design Thinking, to answer the outlined research question regarding if a scale model supported by digital tools could help users in their wayfinding process in the campus. The methodology is defined as a non-linear process that analyzes user's needs. Through its three main phases: immersion (problems identification), ideation (solution findings) and prototyping (desired solution materialization) the research explores digital fabrication tools as a design support. At the same time, results showed that a model supported by digital technologies and other tools such as QR Code solutions to point directions would help campus users to easily find their destination during wayfinding process.