Psycho Geographic Map
MADISON SQAURE PARK

     When I first visited the park back on September 15, 2015, the park was playfully active on both the North and South ends. There was a very distinct feel to each side that was obvious and intentional. My approach was based on first impressions. I feel that sometimes research and prior inventions are necessary, but not in this case. I wanted to take it all in without any predetermined notions about the park. It was my first time ever visiting the park. I met up with Bronwen and Sarah separately the same day as we recorded our observations and talked about the happenings going on around us.  On this dreary, cloudy day, there was a live band playing before an audience and people waiting in line for some hot food at the Shake Shack.  Good vibes.  I walked toward the north end and the playground was packed with laughing, playing children with overseeing parents gathered around the playgrounds fence. The music was very faint and could barely hear over the kids playing and city traffic.  The center had a concrete pond with gatherers sitting, chatting, taking photographs, and casual activities. The north end with the exception of the playground had very light foot traffic and bench squatters. Also a small dog park on the west side of the park. Visually the park was green and beautifully landscaped. A world renowned landscaper came in the 1990’s and renovated the park with beautiful bushes and flowers outlining the park. There are grassy fields to play in, but the area was gated off for curing so it was inaccessible.  The art installation changes a couple times a year. Currently there is an installation by Teresita Fernandez – “Fata Morgana”.  Many snowflake designed mirrors that are above the center walkways that are supposed to reflect light and make the space look cool.

     I documented all my findings on that day.  I have wandered over to that park twice since then and the crowd seems to be consistent.  The bands typically play on Fridays and Saturdays and sometimes a local performer will set up on the south area.  This park has been in the area for well over a 100 years.  It offers a peaceful distraction from the south end commerce and tourism  and has a less organic feel that it’s bigger neighboring parks.  I designed this poster to look like a corporate/venue style design with a calm retreat to the north end. I feel the transparent warm bubbles help pop off the energy of the park with warmer colors for the music, purple center for the creative displays, and blues and grays in the north end for calm social experience. The landscaping was green and beautiful so I used strong greens to emphasize the landscape.  I added an interactive QR code in the bottom left of the poster so the views can engage and get the latest concert dates, discounts, and coupons.  Everything was designed using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.