# Doctoral Research **Designing for Social Interaction in Public Space** PhD Research · Özyeğin University · 2015–2025 Urban public spaces bring strangers into physical proximity, but proximity alone does not produce face-to-face social interaction. My doctoral research investigated how designed artefacts, particularly public seating participate in the space between co-presence and interaction. Research progressed through three sequential phases, addressing two primary aims; to understand how designed interventions facilitate social interaction in public settings; and to articulate this understanding in a form that is applicable. ![[4.jpg]] The research revisits urbanist William H. Whyte's concept of **triangulation**: the process through which an external stimulus creates a shared point of attention between strangers. Rather than treating triangulation as a predictable effect that can simply be built into an object, it explores how it might be interpreted at product scale as a set of **designable conditions** through which interaction can be invited, negotiated, or declined. Beginning with an analysis of literature and collection of design exemplars (Phase 1), the research progressed with [[Phase 2 Workshops | two workshops]] that provided primary data on how designed interventions are potentially perceived (Phase 2). ![[4_comparison(copy).jpg]] Data gathered were progressively synthesized into a conceptual framework, generating its first version. This generated knowledge was implemented in [[Design Ethnography Undergraduate Course | a semester long design course]] (Phase 3). Observations during the course prompted an iteration that resulted in a generative card set embodying the conceptual framework. The final version was used during the course to support design students in reasoning about the social dynamics their interventions may produce. Finally, usability and generative potential of the tool was evaluated in a [[Phase 2 Workshops| remote task-based evaluation workshop]]. ![[05_Public_Website/00_Current Online Live/Images_WebsiteSelection/C.7.jpg]] ## Approach