ROLE: ART DIRECTION, STRATEGY, DESIGN
CLIENT: GOOGLE
Uncover
THE BACKGROUND: Gentrification paints a picture of neighborhoods evolving with the times, but often at the expense of their original residents. As luxury condos replace affordable housing and hipster cafes replace corner stores, the cultural landmarks and community spaces that are lifelines for minority groups are erased. It's not merely change that hurts these communities, but rather the erosion of history, culture, and dignity. When people encounter newly developed dog parks and posh restaurants, they often fail to recognize the vibrant neighborhoods full of culture that once thrived in those same spaces. Modern transformations often conceal stories of the people and places that once animated these spaces— stories worth knowing and understanding.
THE IDEA: By leveraging visual search technology and uncovering dismissed narratives from the community, Google Lens empowers users to learn about lost culture by sharing stories of the people and places that once inhabited their immediate surroundings.
*spec work for a class at the University of Oregon
Google's mission has always been rooted in providing people with information to build and share knowledge. By shedding light on untold stories and overlooked history, this project empowers understanding. It promotes education on the complex issue of gentrification, all while fostering empathy.
So how does it work? Uncover is a feature built into Google Lens. Users can point their smartphones at buildings, streets, or neighborhoods to initialize real-time data collection that reveals gentrification before & afters. With the help of image recognition and geo-location capabilities, Google uses coordinate points and visual reference data to retrieve information about gentrification. Indicators allow Google to show what was previously in place of current-day establishments.
The platform provides access to curated photos, videos, facts, articles, and interviews explaining how urban development practices affected personal lives. As users navigate the interface, they can explore stories told by community members affected by gentrification. It invites users to learn more about the people and places who were at the core of the community that once stood where they are standing.
For spotlighted individuals who are still in the community today, Uncover provides information about what they're doing now, where their businesses relocated, and also urges users to take collective action with urban planning experts and community activists to ensure equitable and inclusive urban development practices.
