Discovering subway design opportunities using social network data : the image-need-design opportunity model

Abstract

Online social networks have permeated into people’s daily lives. An increasing number of people from diverse backgrounds have expressed their viewpoints, feelings, and needs through the internet. Data from social network is widely used in every kind of academic social science. This study aims to apply data from online social networks into subway design work and promote a new way to discover design chance. By considering the Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Tokyo subways as case studies, this study attempts to capture the images of subways. Through comparing the data from social network with users’ needs level, an updated Image-Need-Design Opportunity model with a cyclical process is created at theoretical level. This research provides an insightful reference for future design work and aims to evoke in researchers a desire to excavate potential design information from online social networks.