The social compass is a methodology for understanding, organizing, diagnosing, and designing social interactions. By visualizing interactions via pattern, the compass allows users to clearly compare social designs, see how interactions evolve over time, and understand the building blocks of social exchange.
The compass is composed of two wheels that each have 12 variables. The inner wheel represents qualities of interaction via a set of 6 opposing pairs. The outer wheel represents specific elements that may or may not be active in a social interaction. The quality wheel is the core of the compass and may be used on its own. The elemental wheel provides a further level of detail in addition to quality analysis.
In the arrangement below, all variables are represented because all spaces of the compass are occupied. This particular pattern represents all possible forms of social interaction across all of humanity.
The compass is composed of two wheels that each have 12 variables. The inner wheel represents qualities of interaction via a set of 6 opposing pairs. The outer wheel represents specific elements that may or may not be active in a social interaction. The quality wheel is the core of the compass and may be used on its own. The elemental wheel provides a further level of detail in addition to quality analysis.
In the arrangement below, all variables are represented because all spaces of the compass are occupied. This particular pattern represents all possible forms of social interaction across all of humanity.
The compass is based on an organizational system as follows. Moveable colored pieces that correspond with each quality or element are placed on the board to show which of these elements are active or inactive in a social design or interaction.
Quality Pairings (Inner Wheel):
In Person / Not In Person
Physical Contact / Nonphysical
Group / One-On-One
Coincidental / Intentional
Recreational / Utilitarian
Non-Tech / Tech
Physical Contact / Nonphysical
Group / One-On-One
Coincidental / Intentional
Recreational / Utilitarian
Non-Tech / Tech
Elements (Outer Wheel):
Transportation
Outdoor Space
Living Things
Food & Drink
Education & Wellbeing
Art & Design
Media & Print
Digital Devices
Tools & Toys
Clothing & Accessories
Furniture & Fixtures
Indoor Space
Outdoor Space
Living Things
Food & Drink
Education & Wellbeing
Art & Design
Media & Print
Digital Devices
Tools & Toys
Clothing & Accessories
Furniture & Fixtures
Indoor Space
The pattern below represents a community garden, which has many active elements. This is a fairly full type of social interaction.
Depending on the type of garden being represented and the time range you choose to represent, you could choose to include interactions that involve technology and that are not in person - as many community gardens use email, texting, or phone calls to coordinate.
If the garden were not functioning well socially - you could then use this pattern to identify active elements that are fixed versus malleable. If an element is malleable, then it can be worked with. For example, furniture can be rearranged, design layout can be altered, and there could be an increase in communal meals (food & drink).
When you change elements of a social interaction, you change the interaction. Identifying the building blocks of a social pattern allows the designer or user to add new building blocks or change the way that current elements are expressing themselves.
The quality pattern below, shown in red on the inner wheel, represents a family of one-on-one social interactions that include text messaging, facebook messaging, and email.
The social compass was lasercut and engraved out of four different types of 1/8" acrylic.
