Thread by @berkun

1. Good design depends on understanding constraints.

But when constraints change, like a 6 feet of distance requirement, what "good" means suddenly changes.

Elevators, escalators and urban markets are being redesigned on the fly. As is culture for how they're used.

2. We know the maxim "make the right thing easy" but sometimes that's impossible to do.

Not getting on an elevator or bus, even though there's room, will never feel easy. The design challenge is much harder.

brickunderground.com/live/coronavir…

3. We know from UX design putting up signs/instructions has low value: easy to ignore.

Last time I was at the market they had signs 6 ft apart. Few noticed or used them. Why? Signs aren't enough.

At diff market an employee enforced it. Eventually ppl followed. Social proof.

4. We're witnessing one of the greatest culture/habitual changes across societies that's ever been attempted, and how well or not each of these rules, systems and signs are designed is central to what the outcome will be.

5. Even now much of this is improvised - but ordinary folks are designing ways to convey messages, do service/instructional/graphic design at the same time.

It's fascinating, if at times unnerving, to watch.

But all of these folks are trying to use design to save lives.

6. Ironic to see ppl so close to watch the USNS Comfort, a ship arriving in NYC to help hospitals, is hard to take.

But social norms are instinctive: no signs here or physical distance markers on most sidewalks. Police warned but took no action.

nypost.com/2020/03/30/cro…

7. Many layers of design questions in Vegas:

- why aren't these slots for the homeless further apart?
- what system design let this be the best option?
- How do we explain the empty hotels in the distance?

(This was a heroic improvisation tho:

reviewjournal.com/local/local-la…)