# Public Design-Testing Initiatives Times Square Design Lab Lets Public Try Design Prototypes By Ell Smith | Published 2018-05-22 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/times-square-design-lab References: [psfk](https://www.psfk.com/2018/05/times-square-design-lab.html) & [timessquarenyc.org](https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-transformation/times-square-design-lab) New York's Times Square is one of the busiest places in North America, and because of this, many individuals struggle to authentically connect with this visually busy intersection -- in light of this, the Times Square Design Lab launched a new initiative that encouraged people to engage and explore the amenities in the public space. This outdoor activation offers creations made by five different NYC-based designers. The public is invited to test these [design prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exhibit-columbus-2025), which offers the designers valuable information on what people enjoy and need. The designs range from [interactive book shelves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-furniture-concept) to [caged seating areas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/works-in-progress-iii), presenting the consumer with something that's both accessible and enjoyable. Image Credit: Times Square Alliance and Dave Pinter ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 30% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Public Engagement Design:** Creating opportunities for the public to actively participate in the design process through testing and feedback. - **User-centered Prototyping:** Developing design prototypes with the input and preferences of the end users to ensure a more successful and tailored final product. - **Interactive Public Spaces:** Designing public spaces that offer interactive and engaging experiences for the community. ### Where This Applies - **Urban Design:** Using public design-testing initiatives to inform the development of more user-centered and engaging urban spaces. - **Product Design:** Applying user feedback from design prototypes to create more innovative and user-friendly products. - **Experience Design:** Incorporating public engagement and interactive elements into the design of experiences, such as events, exhibitions, and installations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Public-Oriented Furniture Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/furniture-for-public-use.md) - [Interactive Purposeful Urban Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-furniture1.md) - [Branded Interactive Parks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birkenfields.md) - [Design Service Launch Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/public-records-exhibition.md) - [Interactive Playful Public Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/principles-square.md) - [Sculptural Public Seating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculptural-public-seating.md) - [Innovation-Focused Furniture Design Collectives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/design-collective.md) - [Kid-Envisioned Urban Environments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-little-big-playmat.md) - [Public Bench Interpretation Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/works-in-progress-iii.md)