This is a website about an industrial design and strategy collaboration called
Human Realm engages with the Public Realm, Transit and Built Environment sectors in new and interesting ways
Human Realm is an initiative by
Andrew Black and
Jonas von Stedingk
based in Frankfurt and London.
This website showcases our joint craft and abilities
Things we design:
Infrastructure and transit elements
Infrastructure and transit elements are designed as a kit of parts that, when installed, create a family, both visually and technically. Diligent co-ordination of information within architectural and construction sequencing requirements ensures an effective outcome.
Line-wide components
The London Crossrail required elements of wayfinding, signage, PA/Comms, M&E, pedestrian flows, materials, cladding, acoustics and lighting.
Line-wide components
The London Crossrail required elements of wayfinding, signage, PA/Comms, M&E, pedestrian flows, materials, cladding, acoustics and lighting.
Crossrail London – Linewide components
Andrew Black Project team member for Billings Jackson Design – UK 2009-10 – Client: Crossrail Ltd
Street furnishings
It was necessary to take a citywide approach working with New York’s civic agencies to improve public amenities right across the boroughs. There are currently 3,300+ new shelters installed.
Street furnishings
For the design of the New York City bus shelter, it was necessary to take a citywide approach working with New York’s civic agencies to improve public amenities right across the boroughs. There are currently 3,300+ shelters installed citywide.
Co-ordinated street furnishings New York City
Jonas von Stedingk – Lead at Billings Jackson for Grimshaw Architects – USA 2006 – Client: Cemusa (now JCDecaux) for New York City DOT
User-Operator optimisation
Check-in desks were reconceived, based on workshop research with operators and users.
User-operator optimisation
Check-in desks were reconceived, based on workshop research with operators and users.
Heathrow airport T2a check-in
Andrew Black lead at Billings Jackson Design – UK 2010 – Client: Heathrow Airport
Regionally responsive design
The elements for the Msheireb Downtown Doha development responded to the specific needs and character of Qatari typologies. This was based on research methodologies that ensured a cultural rootedness, subtly but effectively expressed.
Regionally responsive design
The elements for the Msheireb Downtown Doha development responded to the specific needs and character of Qatari typologies. This was based on a research methodology that ensured a cultural rootedness, subtly but effectively expressed.
Public realm furnishings – Msheireb Downtown Doha
Jonas von Stedingk in collab. H.Dobbs – Qatar 2016 – Client: Msheireb Properties (Qatari Foundation)
Urban lighting
Understanding installation, procurement and component technologies allows for products to be developed for the Public Realm with exacting detail and materiality. Modularity means a product that responds to lumen outputs needed for various outdoor lighting applications.
Urban lighting
Understanding installation, procurement and component technologies allows for products to be developed for the Public Realm with exacting detail and materiality. Modularity means a product that responds to lumen outputs needed for various outdoor lighting applications.
Cuvia street lighting
Andrew Black lead at Billings Jackson Design – UK 2013 – Client: Trilux GmbH
Things we narrate:
Story-telling and user-journeys
We build out user-scenarios to ensure complete integration of physical and digital elements in the transit and public realms. For this we may use workshops along with elements of service design and story-telling. We demonstrate findings through sketches or moving image.
Mock-up workshops
The Heathrow T2 check-in desks redefined the operator interaction with the customer through a set of workshops.
Mock-up workshops
The Heathrow T2 check-in desks redefined the operator interaction with the customer through a set of workshops.
Heathrow airport T2a check-in
Andrew Black lead at Billings Jackson Design – UK 2010 – Client: Heathrow Airport
Working upstream:
Ideation and R&D
We assist teams in Ideation and R&D, giving the necessary user-experience input upstream in the development process. This, along with service design methods, saves development time and clarifies targets.
Responding to systems
During the development of a biometric system with Cubic and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, aimed at railway ticketing, we responded to engineering flow charts with user-centric flow charts.
Responding to systems
During the development of a biometric system with Cubic, aimed at railway ticketing, we responded to engineering flow charts with user-centric flow charts.
Using biometrics for ticketing
Jonas von Stedingk – Lead for Maynard – UK 2016 – Client: RSSB / Network Rail / Cubic
Things we help with:
Strategy and innovation processes
Having worked with people from all areas of management, we are in a position to give renewed perspectives and holistic insights.
NPD and innovation
For example, we advised a single-product company on New Product Development and Innovation processes, as well as integrating the use of social media at different stages of product development. We helped set up processes that would enable them to apply their intellectual property in other areas and products, thereby maximising their assets.
NPD and innovation
For example, we advised a single-product company on New Product Development and Innovation processes, as well as integrating the use of social media at different stages of product development. We helped set up processes that would enable them to apply their intellectual property in other areas and products, thereby maximising their assets.
Innovation processes for handheld UV water sterilisation
Jonas von Stedingk – Consultant – USA 2017 – Client: HPI – Steripen
Strategy and innovation processes
Having worked with people from all areas of management, we are in a position to give renewed perspectives and holistic insights.
Internal team co-ordination
We have also helped teams consisting of technical specialists, product managers and marketing departments to collaborate around product development and digital tools for lighting. This was part of a process that considered all aspects of user groups, and digital assistance for procurement.
Internal team co-ordination
We have also helped teams consisting of technical specialists, product managers and marketing departments to collaborate around product development and digital tools for lighting. This was part of a process that considered all aspects of user groups, and digital assistance for procurement.
Management consulting – Inter team tools
Andrew Black – Design lead + Project manager for Billings Jackson – UK 2011 – Client: Trilux GmbH
Things we explore:
Cultural research
We may initiate a project with research into cultural references – both location based observation and the study of behaviour and interactions.
A sense of ownership
Careful consideration of cultural references serve as a constant background during concept development and create relevance, which encourages adoption and care, hence longevity and sustainability. Subtle Qatari cultural resonance was particularly important for a suite of street furnishings in the heart of Doha.
A sense of ownership
This serves as a constant background during concept development and creates cultural relevance, which encourages adoption and care, hence longevity and sustainability. Subtle Qatari cultural resonance was particularly important for this suite of street furnishings in the heart of Doha.
Public realm furnishings – Msheireb Downtown Doha
Jonas von Stedingk in collab. H.Dobbs – Qatar 2016 – Client: Msheireb Properties (Qatari Foundation)
Things we detail:
Detail design and care
The sum of carefully crafted detail is what gives an overall impression of quality and care in the public space. Our technical know-how and specification capabilities ensure this is delivered through to the end product.
Detail
Careful detailing and technology integration defined the simple form of this luminaire for Hubbell Lighting.
Detail
Careful detailing and technology integration defined the simple form of this luminaire for Hubbell Lighting.
Liteweave – continuous linear lighting
Andrew Black Lead designer & Project Manager for Billings Jackson – US 2014 – Client:Hubbell, N.America
Care
The aluminium-bronze drain for a drinking fountain in Qatar was given special attention. Other itms such as nozzle and bottle filler were placed in protected positions.
Care
The aluminium-bronze drain for a drinking fountain in Qatar was given special attention.
Public realm furnishings – Msheireb Downtown Doha
Jonas von Stedingk in collab. H.Dobbs – Qatar 2016 – Client: Msheireb Properties (Qatari Foundation)
Who we are:
Jonas and Andrew are both industrial designers who have led awarded projects in the public realm and built environment.
Their collaboration looks at all levels of experience, from whole systems down to the detail of touchpoints. It creatively tackles problems concerning industrial manufacturing, existing and future technologies, as well as cultural drivers. Applying a layer of industrial design thinking to these interrelated areas allows new and interesting ways of making and experiencing.
Who we work with:
We have designed elements and experiences for:
▹ infrastructure, architecture and landscape practices
▹ city and transit authorities
▹ research and innovation projects
▹ wayfinding specialists
▹ manufacturers and suppliers
▹ as well as forming part of consortia bidding for projects
We work here:
What people say:
“Jonas can empathise with various end users in complex environments, [as] on a transportation project where we attempted to introduce new ticketing media such as biometrics. He was able to work at the intersection of R&D, engineering and design which is a very critical skill in driving user-centric products and solutions.”
Niosha Khayani
Director of Innovation at Cubic Corporation
