ISA’s Gray Area project was selected for the exhibition “By the People: Designing a Better America,” which explores how design can address the social, economic and environmental challenges faced by communities throughout the U.S. The exhibition is the result of over two years of field research that took curator Cynthia E. Smith to shrinking post-industrial cities, sprawling metro regions, struggling rural towns, areas impacted by natural and man-made disasters, and places of persistent poverty, in search of design for more inclusive and sustainable communities.
Originally created for use in Philadelphia as an alternative to conventional planning charrettes, Gray Area is a platform through which to discuss the future of the city's historic fabric. Focused on self-directed interaction with issues and questions, Gray Area asks people to engage with a card deck encouraging a more proactive, visionary approach to design.
In addition to being invited to participate in "By the People," ISA conceptualized and developed the design direction for “Process Lab: Citizen Design,” a hands-on interactive installation that encourages museum visitors to experience the design process by addressing pressing challenges relevant to their communities.
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