Final Project: Futures of Civic Communication & Trust (2035)

This page accompanies my final Design Futures project presentation video. The work explores how civic communication systems might evolve by 2035, with a focus on trust, transparency, and lived experience in small and mid-sized cities.

Three Horizons Framework (Updated)

This mapping reflects the project’s arc from present communication friction to trust-as-infrastructure by 2035.

Horizon 1: Present Friction
2025–2027
  • Civic information is fragmented across channels and actors
  • Residents are unsure what is “official”
  • Automation is inconsistent and hard to trust
  • Corrections are informal or invisible
  • Staff strain increases burnout and public hostility
Horizon 2: Transitional Design
2028–2032
  • Transparency timelines + versioning are piloted
  • Hybrid access expands (digital + physical)
  • Time-stamped updates and visible correction become expected
  • Engagement shifts to practical “micro-civic” interactions
  • Trust becomes an operational design goal
Horizon 3: Trust Infrastructure
2032–2035
  • Official communication is clearly scoped and attributable
  • Public timelines and correction logs are standard
  • Feedback loops are legible: acknowledgement → action → update
  • Residents rely on predictable civic touchpoints
  • Trust is built through visible process and continuity

Speculative Transparency Notice — Three Versions

City of ____ — Transparency Notice (2035) Visible process • Time-stamped updates • Clear accountability Process Timeline • Request received — 2035-11-29 09:14 • Review initiated — 2035-11-29 11:02 • Action in progress — target: 2035-12-03 Corrections + Updates • Update posted — 2035-11-29 16:40 • Correction log available (version history) • Next scheduled update window: daily 4–6pm Resident Feedback Log • Feedback received: 12 entries • Acknowledged: 12 • Actioned: 5 • Pending: 7 • Responses are time-stamped and attributable Speculative civic artifact — Design Futures final
City of ____ — Public Version Record (2035) When information changes, the public sees what changed and why Version History v1.0 — Posted 2035-11-29 09:14 — Initial notice published v1.1 — 2035-11-29 16:40 — Updated timeline estimate v1.2 — 2035-11-30 10:05 — Clarified scope of work + next steps All prior versions remain accessible for public review What Changed + Why • Changed: timeline estimate • Why: field constraints identified during inspection • Owner: Dept. ____ / initials ____ (attributable) Resident Feedback • Received: 12 • Acknowledged: 12 • Common themes: access, timeline clarity, follow-through Responses are posted with timestamps and department attribution Speculative civic artifact — Design Futures final
City of ____ — Service Update Board (2035) Same information online and here • Clear next steps • Human support available What’s Happening • Issue: ____________ • Area: ____________ • Status: In progress • Next update: daily 4–6pm How to Get Help • Scan for timeline + history • Call: (___) ___-____ • In-person: library/help hub • Language access available Public Timeline + Corrections • Posted: 2035-11-29 09:14 • Updated: 2035-11-29 16:40 • Correction log is public and time-stamped • Feedback is acknowledged and tracked to closure Speculative civic artifact — Design Futures final

Speculative Visual Contexts for Civic Life (2035)

Narrative Snapshot: Day in the Life (2035)

Before leaving for work, a resident checks a city transparency notice posted near their building. The notice lists the status of a service request, the most recent update, and any corrections made to the timeline, all clearly time-stamped.

The information is brief and consistent. There is no need to search multiple platforms or compare conflicting statements. The notice functions as a single, reliable reference point.

With a clear understanding of what is happening and when to expect the next update, the resident continues their day. Civic communication remains present but unobtrusive, operating as a predictable part of daily life rather than a source of uncertainty or interruption.

© 2025 Frances Eugenia Collazo
Communications Strategy & Systems Design
frances@franceseugenia.com · 231-321-1100