BROOKS BOARDS
Interviewing with Brooks Running, I had 1 week to develop and test a prototype based off the observation, insight, and springboard that they shared with me.
OBSERVATION
Since the onset of Covid-19 in-person road races have halted. Many runners have had to shift their focus to stay motivated through the pandemic. We were surprised to discover that despite races being cancelled, many of these runners have started running more consistently.
INSIGHT
We think this might mean that traditional road races only provide short term motivation and once completed may lead to a prolonged running hangover.
SPRINGBOARD
It would be amazing if Brooks could create a
never-ending competition.
RESEARCH
Immediately, I am wondering why people have started to run more since it feels counter intuitive to run more once competitions and races to train for have been removed.
Since I was not part of the design work that led to this insight and springboard, I felt I was missing information to guide prototyping.
Additionally, my gut felt weird about designing a never-ending competition when the topic seemed to suggest that road races, or competition, being taken from the equation inspired more consistent running.
So, I decided to do some research of my own… I talked to 8 different runners, from amateur to ultra marathon racers. Chris, Mike, and Spencer's stories in particular illuminated my findings.
Lou
Mike
Annalise
Lily
Lane
Nick
Chris
Spencer
“At the end of the day it’s like, oh hey, you finished too? Well alright, let’s go grab a beer, drink a jack and coke, and grab a pretzel!”
“It’s just you out there, pushing your mind and your body.”
“It’s more the community and seeing what you yourself can do.”
Chris' Story
FINDING 01.
Runners seem to be more competitive with themselves and are interested in pushing the limits of their own mind and body.
“I like feeling like I’m on the same journey with someone, you know, to get better… Whatever it may be, it’s someone working hard and finding their own path to whatever level of success there is, or they think there is.”
“They were really hyping up the people that were way in the front, and I was like, mid-pack, and thinking, ‘I’m doing pretty good job, ya know, you could hype me up.”
Mike's Story
FINDING 02.
Runners are inspired to run when they can relate their journey to another’s.
“When people say they’re running races mentally, I think it’s cool, but for me it’s not the same as showing up to a race.”
“There’s no way I would’ve been able to run some of the races I’ve run, without other people in the race. There’s no way… It brings out the best in you when you know you’re not the only one doing that, you’re not the only one pushing yourself.”
Spencer's Story
FINDING 03.
Runners believe they are capable of more when they are surrounded by people striving for the same goal.
REFRAME
These 3 findings paint running culture as counter-competitive where runners rely on each other for motivation and support. This led me to reframe Brooks’ springboard question.
​
How might Brooks' create a never-ending competition collaboration?
DESIGN PRINCIPLES & PROTOTYPING
After this reframe, I decided used the needs ladders I had made to construct design principles for brainstorming and prototyping.
‘Hype up’ the stories of different types of runners.
Demonstrate that many people are running the same paths and trails.
Create the presence of other runners.
With these principles in mind, I decided to embrace the "doing" part of design work and went for a run myself.
​
On my run, I noticed roadsigns that had been turned into a collection of paintings. I began to wonder... How might art bring together runners, create opportunity for collaboration, and make the presence of other runners felt.
​
This led me to my first prototype.
A movable board that Brooks places at points along popular running trails.
Runners are encouraged to fill the board with stickers to represent their run.
PROTOTYPE 01.
When I brought this idea to the Chris, Spencer, Mike and the other runners, they liked the idea but more than anything expressed concern for the weathering and technical details of the board, asking
​
Who would put it out? What happens if someone steals the board or the stickers? What about the wind blowing it over? What about the rain?
With their concerns and feedback in mind, I began a second iteration of brainstorming and prototyping.
PROTOTYPE 02.
Like collaborative art, Brooks Boards are a collection of boards and cases that runners bring to life through their additions of stickers and old running shoes, gear, and paraphernalia.
REFLECTION
Although I wasn't hired at Brooks Running, conducting this research, meeting runners, and the opportunity to prototype solutions brought me joy and energy. This was my first solo design research project and reaffirmed my confidence in my ability to execute the design process on my own. I am proud of how I managed in the time constraint, my boldness in changing their prompt, and that I honored my design instincts as well as the process of iteration and feedback.