-"Create comfortable environment"
e.g. Change bathroom tissue holders, also use better quality and colorful toilet paper.
- "Have fun"
e.g. Put a target (for men only) to prevent urinal splash.
- "Psychological approach"
e.g. Put some signs in restrooms to encourage users to keep restrooms clean.
We look forward to your feedback.
Owen beauty consultants: Hiro, Christy, and Hitoshi
Comept 2 is amazing. Not only is it really funny, but I think it psychologically keeps the issue top of mind. The only problem is figuring out where to optimally place the target to reduce splash. That location could vary by intensity of urine flow.
ReplyDeleteI agree that improvements are necessary in the Owen restrooms, yet I think more fundamental issues of cleanliness need to be addressed before cosmetic adjustments - like colored toilet paper - can make a difference. So, I like the idea of educating students/visitors/faculty with signs, but I would challenge you to get people to follow through on that stated, proper bathroom etiquette: Is there a way to provide incentives to the constituents, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you guys have any control over this - but can we get softer tissue in the bathrooms? I know we are trying to save money but sometime I have pee anxiety because I don't want to have to use the harsh Owen tissue. But I digress, I like the target idea - the women's bathroom could use a target too.
ReplyDeleteI worry that the signs in idea #3 might send the wrong message to our recruiters that we are completely incapable (which we may be). I like idea #1 to spice up the atmosphere in the bathrooms.
ReplyDeleteIdea #2 is right on point. Urinal splash is not a laughing matter and can happy to any man at Owen. I also enjoy the target theme which can turn a routine trip to the bathroom into target practice. I would like to see #2 implemented at Owen!
ReplyDeleteTargets are awesome! Maybe then can be great smelling targets to help improve the overall bathroom appeal.
ReplyDeleteI think idea #2 is... on target. While i really enjoy it, my only concern is would this be desired by other people using the building. For instance, would this be opposed by recruiters, visiting companies, EMBAs, etc. I think it's a really cool idea, but I would want to make sure that it would send the right message to other people using our facilities.
ReplyDeleteThe bathrooms is a tough issue to tackle, but I think these ideas are realistic ways to improve them.
Idea 1 is quite fun, but I'm not sure it portrays theh professional manner of Owen. I do think, though, that it would be great to upgrade some of the fixtures in the restrooms - like nicer door handles, paper towel holders, etc.
ReplyDeleteIdea 3 would be helpful, but I agree with Megan. Recruiters would be put off that we can't even maintain our own bathrooms! I think it's more of an issue with the cleaning/maintenance than it is with the students.
I don't know anyone who doesn't like target practice. I'm sold on idea #2.
ReplyDeleteAlso, some humorous signs would also be nice to look at; let's keep things interesting.
The bathroom is highly important issue. I personally hate to see someone when I take a pee. Concretely, I can see someone is doing big job due to the mirror wall. I would like you to address this issue.
ReplyDeleteFor #2, you can put some signs like "Take a step forward" alternatively or in addition to your idea to reduce splash.
I like your general philosophy of approaching this idea with fun/humor. It needs to be raised and doing it in this way makes this feel less like kindergarten and just generally less awkward! I think it would be great to use signs like the one you posted in #3 because it would be engaging and people would actually probably talk about it and ultimately be thinking more about it.
ReplyDeleteMy one concern, as voiced by some others, is the message it may send to visitors (guests, recruiters, speakers) to learn there was a need for this signage. Maybe a solution is to put these up in the evenings only - when those folks aren't usually here? Let's face it - students usually are. At least 1st years :)
Way to go for a tough problem!
I really like the idea of signage in the bathrooms. Although I agree that it could send the wrong impression to recruiters that we can't even keep the restrooms clean, it is still better than having a dirty restroom when the recruiters visit!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can limit signage and the targets in #2 to the upstairs restrooms. Although recruiters still use these bathrooms, I feel like most would use the ones downstairs near the lobby and entrance.
I actually think, all things considered, the idea 1 is a great idea. It seems initially almost overly reductive, but I think changing up the environment to be one more focused on comfort and color will potentially make students treat the bathroom environment better.
ReplyDeleteAs it stands, the bathrooms right now are only a bit better than the ones you'd find at a gas station, so psychologically speaking it's unsurprising that students treat them like gas station bathrooms.
We can also install those full-functional-service toilets that are common in Japan.
ReplyDeleteLoved the first idea. definitely doable and unique..
ReplyDeleteYour ideas are so creative, i love them. I would try also to make a contrast between the washing area and the toilet inside (outside is complete decent and nice and inside is 'insane' with targets...etc like your ideas). I wouldnt worry about our recruiters as i think all they can think of is we are so creative, i dont think any school ever goes this far before.
ReplyDeleteYes! The bathrooms here are amazingly juvenile and atrocious. I feel like I'm back in my crappy (no pun intended) middle school every time I walk in. I like #1 as pertaining to the aesthetics. Changing out the toilet paper holders should be easy win; although push back from the janitorial staff may be an issue. Long-term would be changing the horrible plastic, stagnant water sinks.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good idea, a revamp of the restrooms would be nice. Blake has a good point, those plastic sinks are not cool at all. They just seem dirty and they have too much power so the water gets all over my shirt sleeves as I wash my hands. I think the challenges you will encounter will be funding and push back from janitorial staff.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of all your ideas! It seems to me that you can tackle this issue from two angles -top down and have administration make physical changes to make the environment more appealing (e.g. different toilet paper, air freshener, hand moisterizer, etc) and bottom up by posting signs and encourage students to take pride in our facilities (e.g. targets, signs, # to call if messy). This would demonstrate that admnistration cares about the students, and that the students will appreciate and respect the changes being made.
ReplyDeleteYour presentation is hilarious and that makes me feel good about your ideas. In Europe many urinals (particularly in ones where little boys go) have a small image of a house-fly painted on. This makes an inviting target and supposedly works. I think the signs (even the ones you have) could be a good-humored way to remind people to help keep the place clean. Sometimes, a simple reminder can be enough to help them do the job.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the idea of colorful toilet paper. Is there an industrial source for that? That's a great idea. How about LOGO toilet paper (but use other b-schools' logos!).
Nice work - now it's time to choose.
I like idea #1...I wonder if there is a classy way to make the bathrooms look nicer. better art? fresh flowers? I agree with many of the others on the impression given to visitors, etc.
ReplyDelete