Community Signposts

THE IDEA
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Signs.
They are all around us.


Maybe more than most
people would like.


Wouldn’t it be nice if they gave
us information that empowers
rather than distracts?


Information that led us to be
responsible and make
smarter choices.


Information that told us to be
creators instead of consumers.


What if Signs could inspire us to:
•Authentic relationships
•Vibrant communities
•Healthy families
•Safe streets
•Unity and equity for all


Could a SIGN do all of that?


Certainly not.

But maybe if we re-think and
re-value the way we communicate
information, SIGNS could offer more
than what meets the eye.


REALITY:
In our hi-tech culture, SIGNS can
be catalysts for building a better
world.


What if through technology, SIGNS
could tell us the story of our
communities, the places we live
and work?


What if they could tell us where
we’ve come from, where we are
now, and how we can change
the road ahead?


Technology has added a digital
layer we can use to interact
with the physical world around us.


So let’s get physical.


Enter...

COMMUNITY Signposts


A FRiCTION/FRONTiER community
animation project and social
enterprise that uses interactive
signage in public spaces to
mobilize people to positive action.


This initiative would bring
people together to...


1. Understand and become aware
of the issues, needs, and social
opportunities in their community.


2. Engage in collaborative action
to generate solutions to
community issues/challenges.


3. Advocate issues and share
solutions rapidly through social
networks; in turn multiplying 1+2.


Imagine a new SIGN at a busy
pedestrian area in your community

Bright and bold, it stands out from
the rest.


It lists a number you can SMS or
Email to unlock the information
within the SIGn.


The experience is out of the
ordinary but sort of fun.

A brief moment of free curiosity
and discovery within your regular
commute to work or school.


You interact with the sign on your
mobile device or jot down the info
for later.


Then, in a coffee-shop, at work or
back home, you get an email from
Toronto Community Signposts.

The email contains the following
sections...


1. Greeting: “Hello and welcome
to (your neighbourhood). Get the
411 on your community!”


2. Infographic: A full data set on
the demographic, economic, and
social issues for your community.

Visually easy to interpret;
strengths, weaknesses and
community needs are highlighted.


3. “Get Involved”: A directory of
community programs, civic, and
social organizations working in
your neighbourhood.

A summary of each initiative,
ways to get involved and contact
info is provided.

4. “Start Something”: Ideas will be
generated to match the needs
identified in the infographic.

With full “how-to” descriptions
included, these ideas can be
conversation starters and
catalysts for action.

5. “Multiplier Effect”: You learn how
many people have viewed this
email in your area. You are told
what you individually could achieve
and then what could be done if
you got some friends involved.


6. Website: You are invited to
browse the TCS website and view
data for signpost locations across
your city.

Want to also volunteer where you
work? You can get infographics for
any area where a SIGN is located.

By registering online, you can
update data for a sign, receive
news about local events, and
view the network of people who
care about these issues.

Send a message to your network
to hold a meeting to plan ideas
for your community.

You forward the email to
a few friends then close
your laptop.


Your eyes are opened.

Your head is spinning.


That night, you sit around
the dinner table or at the
local pub and discuss
plans to better the
community around you.

The Community Signposts
experience starts in the physical
world when someone sees a
sign; and it should end back in
the physical world with people
collaborating to put their ideas
into action.

To learn more about this project,
its extensions and ad revenue
model, or to offer your feedback,
email frictionfrontier@gmail.com


Community Signposts

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