In collaboration with
Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library
In collaboration with
Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library
System Design | 5 weeks
Team: Anushka | Anwesha | Angelina | Ojaswi | Sakshi | Sarthak
My Role: Leading a scalable, community-focused system for place-based storytelling using low-tech, culturally relevant tools. Demonstrated ability to lead participatory research and co-create with diverse publics.
User Research (qualitative methods)
Qualitative User Research
Physical–digital Systems Thinking
Physical–digital Systems Thinking
Participatory Design
Participatory Design
Brief
Brief
Design a local memory preservation and information sharing system inspired by and integrated with Southwark Heritage Centre & Walworth Library. This project turned to be a journey into place-making, storytelling, and sense of belonging.
Design a local memory preservation and information sharing system inspired by and integrated with Southwark Heritage Centre & Walworth Library
Design a local memory preservation and information sharing system inspired by and integrated with Southwark Heritage Centre & Walworth Library. This project turned to be a journey into place-making, storytelling, and sense of belonging.
Project Impact
Project Impact
80%
of our card display was picked up by visitors- clear proof of interest and engagement
Increase
in spontaneous conversation within the library & Southwark community
Improved
footfall & retention in the library’s
artefact display
80%
of our card display was picked up by visitors- clear proof of interest and engagement
Increase
in spontaneous conversation within the library & Southwark community
Improved
footfall & retention in the library’s
artefact display
Qualitative Research
Qualitative Research
Behavioural Mapping
Where do people linger?
This research focused on how visitors moved through the space, engaged with artefacts, and interacted with each other. Observations covered space layout, visitor behaviour, use of technology, and accessibility. Attention was also given to how the space supported community interaction and informal sharing of information.
AEIOU
Activity, Environment, Interaction, Observation, Users
This research framework focused on decoding visitor behaviours, interactions, and underlying needs. Most visitors acted alone, showing greater engagement with staff than with artefacts- pointing to a preference for human connection over static display. The environment was often used not just for learning, but as a personal refuge. These insights highlighted the emotional functions of the space, beyond its intended educational role.
Directed Storytelling
Personal narratives from library visitors
Around 25–30 library visitors from diverse age groups and backgrounds were interviewed to explore their lived experiences, everyday challenges, and how they perceive the library’s role in both their personal lives and the broader community.
Behavioural Mapping
This research focused on how visitors moved through the space, engaged with artefacts, and interacted with each other. Observations covered space layout, visitor behaviour, use of technology, and accessibility. Attention was also given to how the space supported community interaction and informal sharing of information.
AEIOU
This research framework focused on decoding visitor behaviours, interactions, and underlying needs. Most visitors acted alone, showing greater engagement with staff than with artefacts- pointing to a preference for human connection over static display. The environment was often used not just for learning, but as a personal refuge. These insights highlighted the emotional functions of the space, beyond its intended educational role.
Directed Storytelling
Around 25–30 library visitors from diverse age groups and backgrounds were interviewed to explore their lived experiences, everyday challenges, and how they perceive the library’s role in both their personal lives and the broader community.
Behavioural Mapping
Where do people linger?
This research focused on how visitors moved through the space, engaged with artefacts, and interacted with each other. Observations covered space layout, visitor behaviour, use of technology, and accessibility. Attention was also given to how the space supported community interaction and informal sharing of information.
AEIOU
Activity, Environment, Interaction, Observation, Users
This research framework focused on decoding visitor behaviours, interactions, and underlying needs. Most visitors acted alone, showing greater engagement with staff than with artefacts- pointing to a preference for human connection over static display. The environment was often used not just for learning, but as a personal refuge. These insights highlighted the emotional functions of the space, beyond its intended educational role.
Directed Storytelling
Personal narratives from library visitors
Around 25–30 library visitors from diverse age groups and backgrounds were interviewed to explore their lived experiences, everyday challenges, and how they perceive the library’s role in both their personal lives and the broader community.
Key insight
Key insight
Newly settled Southwark residents- particularly recent students- often felt a sense of disconnect. Many expressed feeling out of place, largely due to an unfamiliarity with their surroundings. A key quote stood out:
“I often work from home, and despite wanting to explore my locality and its history- I don’t really know where to start.”
Newly settled Southwark residents- particularly recent students- often felt a sense of disconnect. Many expressed feeling out of place, largely due to an unfamiliarity with their surroundings.
A key quote stood out:
“I often work from home, and despite wanting to explore my locality and its history- I don’t really know where to start.”
Newly settled Southwark residents- particularly recent students- often felt a sense of disconnect. Many expressed feeling out of place, largely due to an unfamiliarity with their surroundings. A key quote stood out:
“I often work from home, and despite wanting to explore my locality and its history- I don’t really know where to start.”
20%
projected increase in population due to inflow migration by 2030
2nd
Highest growth in migration, compared to other boroughs
Laying down the Foundation
Laying down the Foundation
In the midst of our overwhelm of post-its, there were moments where I felt lost. Ideas felt like they lacked grounding- a sense of direction. This was when I set up a design enquiry with the team. We sketched, mind-mapped, sprinted our way to define some grounding principles for our project.
In the midst of our overwhelm of post-its, there were moments where I felt lost. Ideas felt like they lacked grounding- a sense of direction. This was when I set up a design enquiry with the team. We sketched, mind-mapped, sprinted our way to define some grounding principles for our project.
In the midst of our overwhelm of post-its, there were moments where I felt lost. Ideas felt like they lacked grounding- a sense of direction. This was when I set up a design enquiry with the team. We sketched, mind-mapped, sprinted our way to define some grounding principles for our project.
How might we design to help recent residents feel at home in Southwark through its
How might we design to help recent residents feel at home in Southwark through its
people, places, & artefacts
people, places, & artefacts
Informed by these specific insights:
Informed by these specific insights:
Informed by these specific insights:
Artefacts needed a narrative bridge to real locations.
Artefacts needed a narrative bridge to real locations.
Artefacts needed a narrative bridge to real locations.
Personal narratives over plaques or panels.
Personal narratives over plaques or panels.
Personal narratives over plaques or panels.
Visitors wanted to contribute to preserved “history.”
Visitors wanted to contribute to preserved “history.”
Visitors wanted to contribute to preserved “history.”
How does it Really Work?
How does it Really Work?
Start by browsing the cards displayed at the library
Start by browsing the cards displayed at the library
Pick one & visit the location, whenever you prefer
Pick one & visit the location, whenever you prefer
Explore the story on your card- set in the place around you
Explore the story on your card- set in the place around you
Post-visit, answer the prompt whenever you prefer
Post-visit, answer the prompt whenever you prefer
Tear off the prompt section along the perforated edge
Tear off the prompt section along the perforated edge
Next library visit, hand in (only) the prompt piece
Next library visit, hand in (only) the prompt piece
In return, you’ll receive a unique stamp for your journey.
In return, you’ll receive a unique stamp for your journey.
Stick the stamp on the card, its now your souvenir to keep!
Stick the stamp on the card, its now your souvenir to keep!
Choose your next card and continue the adventure
Choose your next card and continue the adventure
But what happens to the memory prompt piece after it's exchanged for a stamp?
But what happens to the memory prompt piece after it's exchanged for a stamp?
But what happens to the memory prompt piece after it's exchanged for a stamp?
“Book” Installation
“Book” Installation
A timeless book of memories- each story collected in exchange for a stamp is laminated and preserved.
A timeless book of memories- each story collected in exchange for a stamp is laminated and preserved.
A timeless book of memories- each story collected in exchange for a stamp is laminated and preserved.
Now housed at Walworth Library,
it invites visitors to browse, reflect & contribute.
Now housed at Walworth Library, it invites visitors to browse, reflect & contribute.
Now housed at Walworth Library,
it invites visitors to browse, reflect & contribute.
And finally a digital layer of immersion through the
And finally a digital layer of immersion through the
And finally a digital layer of immersion through the
Artefact AR Experience
Artefact AR Experience
Designed as an optional digital boost, the AR feature lets users uncover historical overlays or hidden stories at certain sites.
Designed as an optional digital boost, the AR feature lets users uncover historical overlays or hidden stories at certain sites.
Designed as an optional digital boost, the AR feature lets users uncover historical overlays or hidden stories at certain sites.
Designed light and thoughtful.
Impact & Feedback
Impact & Feedback
80%
of our card display was picked up by visitors- clear proof of interest and engagement
Increase
in spontaneous conversation within the library & Southwark community
Improved
footfall & retention in the library’s
artefact display
80%
of our card display was picked up by visitors- clear proof of interest and engagement
Increase
in spontaneous conversation within the library & Southwark community
Improved
footfall & retention in the library’s
artefact display
Reflections
Reflections
This project made me a better listener, communicator, and systems thinker.
This project made me a better listener, communicator, and systems thinker.
Honed leadership & facilitation skills through team negotiations, alignment, and boundary-setting
Realised that slowness & sensitivity can be powerful design tools
Learned to translate design language for non-design audiences
Got better at being calm through chaos.
Honed leadership & facilitation skills through team negotiations, alignment, and boundary-setting
Realised that slowness & sensitivity can be powerful design tools
Learned to translate design language for non-design audiences
Got better at being calm through chaos.
And finally, a glimpse of what our audience thought of Southwark Stamps