As the focus of the class begins to become more specific
about what interventions to create in the courthouse, I have found an interest
in wayfinding. Even before you enter the courthouse, there are changes that can
be made to the system that will help people better understand the process of
Housing Court.
Once you enter the court, there are many problems with
wayfinding that enter my mind right away; first is that point right after
security. Through our conversations with Paul, many people will ask security “I
have a hearing. Where do I go?”. Because there are no specific signs that tell
people where to go for certain situations, they will rely on court staff to
tell them. The staff are not necessarily equipped to deal with such matters and
might end up sending them in the wrong direction.
And although there are some wayfinding elements that have
been added to the court over time, they have some faults that can be fixed. For
example, the kiosk at the atrium is a fine process, but many people may not
understand how it works or even that it relates to Housing Court. One solution
that comes to mind is to have a sign that explains that the kiosk is for
Housing Court and how it works. By outlining a step by step process in plain
detail, people are made aware of what the process is more clearly. And this
solution isn’t taking away from what the court already has installed; it is
working with the existing conditions and making it more legible.
As we continue with the process of designing interventions
for the courthouse, we must take into consideration these observations. If we
were to alleviate the confusion of wayfinding in the courthouse and even the
process of housing court as a whole, it would relieve so much stress from
tenants and landlords. Eviction and housing issues can be a difficult
experience, so to be able to have a part in positively affecting the process is
a very powerful opportunity.