Lizbeth Martinez

The CicLAvia travel map gives participants a visual understanding of their locations and options for businesses to check out. The large-scale map let’s participants locate hot spots and local gems along the route that are not highlighted on the CicLAvia website. The accompanying volunteer guide aims to provide event goers with real time information while increasing social engagement within the community.

From the lens of neighborhood engagement we were tasked with designing ways to get community members excited about the event and get businesses along the route to activate their space. However, many of the locals were unaware of points of interest that exist within their community and businesses lacked the information needed to participate. How can we help event goers and businesses easily access information in order to increase local engagement?

During the research phase our team discovered that participants at the CicLAvia event in October needed access to a map to help them navigate the route and find open businesses.The map created an opportunity to have conversations with event goers and help them explore new places within their city. Through our discussions with local business owners we learned that they need an easier way to get information on how to get involved.

The CicLAvia travel map will help engage with participants and businesses along the route by finding those who may miss all the community has to offer. This fosters communication with participants and enriches their knowledge of interactive points and local businesses along the route that otherwise may not be on the main map.

Meow Wolf creates breathtaking immersive installations around the nation with extremely rich storytelling components. Our focus was Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station located in Denver which offers immersive psychedelic art that is paired with a journey of discovery. As a team we created a smart light and entertainment device that lets patrons bring the experience home.

Meow Wolf’s immersive installations offer rich narratives full of hidden easter eggs throughout the exhibit that extends to the gift shop. During their visit patrons only tend to scratch the surface of intertwined storylines and get a limited experience of the exhibit because of overcrowding. How can we create a unique experience that allows patrons to relive their memories of their visit and discover more engaging and puzzling content?

From our conversations with patrons and research online we discovered that many visitors really enjoyed the immersive lights, atmosphere and music but didn’t see many options to purchase items like these at the gift shop. We learned that many people left the Convergence Station feeling like they missed out on parts of the exhibit and wanted to see more. We saw an opportunity to create a device that captured the essence of the installation while extending the storyline.

Our solution was the Meow Orb, a smart LED light and entertainment device that pairs with the Meow Wolf app. Users can access Meow Wolf content such as videos and cast it directly to their television. Videos sync with the lights from the orb to create Meow Wolf inspired scenes/moods from the exhibit. Users can also access additional content such as podcasts and multiplayer games straight through the app.