Let me call you to move your truck

Daniele Catalanotto
May 19, 2022
A Service Design principle for more actionnable signage

Context

I'm walking in the streets of Lausanne in Switzerland. A truck is in the middle of the road. In the window it has a little panel that says: "If I disturb call me here". 

Watch my early thinking in video



Side notes

This is the first draft of this Service Design Principle. Once adapted and refined multiple time, this principle will be part of the book "Service Design Principles 201-300"

1 comment

Daniele Catalanotto
May 11, 2023

This is the second version of this principle rewritten based on the transcript of the video above.

New title: Give me a way to reach you.

I was walking in the streets of Lausanne when I saw a truck parked in the middle of the road, blocking the way. But, the delivery guy is a smart guy. On the window of his truck, he added a little panel that said, "If my car is disturbing you, please call me at this number."

This is inspiring because I've been in situations before where there was a truck blocking my way, but there was no sign or number to contact the owner. In those situations, I was left wondering what to do. But this delivery guy was smart enough to provide a way for people to reach him or ask for help if needed.

This idea can be applied to different contexts and is not just limited to the moment when there is a car in the middle of the street. For example whenever there are temporary installations, like a sign saying the floor is wet (1), or a dozen of cardboard boxes, it's important to give a way for people to reach out in case of any issues or concerns.

Footnotes

(1) This is especially useful when that "wet floor" sign is forgotten so that you can tell the owner to come and get it back.