*understanding the difference between a users attitude and behavior
- attitude: a persons mental tendency that is responsible for the way they think or feel for something/someone
-behavior: actions, moves, conduct, and functions of an individual
*the importance of designing from the inside:
- as designers we must enter the contexts we hope to influence
- within the context we can understand better the cultural dynamics
*qualitative and quantitive research
- qualitative: generate data about behaviors/ attitudes based on observing or hearing them directly
- quantitative: quantify about the behaviors + attitudes in question indirectly
*context is ALWAYS a system
*research in the context of final outcome
- the research to discover the problem needs to be designed as much as the final solution
* TO EFFECTIVELY DESIGN IS NOT ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU KNOW, BUT ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU SEE!!
*zooming in vs out (powers of ten)
* Powers of Ten
* we must understand what drives behavior, what they value, fear, + strive for”
-Don Norman
PROJECT ADVANCEMENTS
* REDIRECTIONNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
* ok ok ok, so after talking and realizing the limits and constraints (and colonizer mentality we had) we decided to reconsider our path
- turning away from our idea we wanted to consider this idea of “traditional living”
- with a new vision to transform rural towns into sustainable hubs where modern digital innovation coexists with traditional culture and natural assets
*ruralthific
- The Ruralthific project by Pilar Saura serves as a strong precedent for our second concept, as it reimagines rural towns not as declining spaces but as territories of opportunity through strategic rebranding and infrastructure development. Like our proposal, it focuses on attracting newcomers, families, young people, and remote workers
- by combining authentic cultural identity with modern infrastructure such as digital connectivity, sustainable housing, and community hubs. Ruralthific validates our approach by showing how design and innovation can position rural living as a viable, future-oriented lifestyle, directly supporting the goals of SDG 9.
*case study/feedback analysis...
- Campo Adentro (Inland/CAR) is a cultural and territorial initiative in Spain that works to bridge the urban–rural divide by bringing people from cities into rural areas through art, agriculture, and community projects. It reimagines the countryside as a space of innovation and sustainability, encouraging newcomers to settle, collaborate with local farmers, and strengthen rural economies.
-shows how cultural identity, ecological practices, and modern infrastructure can make rural living attractive for families and young people seeking alternative lifestyles.
- España vacía (Sergio del Molino, 2016)
This landmark essay highlights the deep demographic and cultural crisis of Spain’s rural interior, where depopulation has left vast territories “empty” and marginalized from national life. It frames rural decline not just as an economic issue but as a question of identity, dignity, and visibility—underscoring the urgency of projects that restore vitality and meaning to small towns.
- Entrepatios
- Madrid’s first eco-housing cooperative under the cesión de uso model, where residents collectively own the building and pay affordable shares rather than buying or renting.
- Designed with sustainability and shared living in mind, it offers common spaces, renewable energy systems, and long-term affordability outside the speculative market. It demonstrates how community-driven infrastructure can attract families and young people seeking collaborative, eco-conscious lifestyles.... an approach that could be adapted to rural towns.
- looking into the “the switch”
- the switch people are beginning to have from city life to romanticizing rural living. (Nara Smith, Ballerina Farms)
- “la gentrification del pueblo”
CASE STUDIES:
*Ruralthific - Pillar Saura
*Campo Adentro (CAR)
*España Vacia (Sergio del Molino)
*Entrepatios (Vivienda CoOp)
*think of why you doodle during lectures”
last class the professors mentioned to think systemically about everything, even when it comes to the doodles we do when we get board of the lectures (sorry)
when we were talking about humanity-centric design and the importance of designing for all I was drawing this little diagram on the left, a strange interconnecting set of homes and hubs for my little figures of people, drawing connect ability and accessibility without even realizing it.
how does this relate?
idk sometimes i draw just to draw but if I could zoom out and look at it as a reference you could say that the sketch could represent the vision of rural revitalization.
how each cube symbolizes a town or a community, some full, some nearly empty, and some that are falling apart. all connected through pathways that mirror infrastructure.
my little guys could reflect on the demographic reality of depopulation but also the potential for reconnection as new residents arrive. while my swirls could capture the constant circulation of people leaving, returning, or migrating.
the modularity and goofy little structure embodies our proposal for a replicable model, adaptable to different contexts, where towns can just “plug into” the network of shared flows of energy, people, and ideas.
> NEXT WEEK