A DSW Session Turned Product Hunt Launch

Last year, we set out to lead our first ever Denver Startup Week session. We wanted to teach a design sprint. Rather than explaining the steps hypothetically, we decided to actually do a design sprint. To do that, we needed a problem to solve for.

With the City of Denver, we set in motion a plan to reimagine how public art is discovered and interacted with in Denver. The sprint goal became a community goal: to raise awareness of public art in Denver through the creation of a digital tool.

Participants of the DSW session were able to learn in a hands-on setting and contribute to solving a real problem. Their contributions were invaluable, as we turned their ideas into denverpublicart.org.

Now, a year later, we want to magnify all of the work you all helped us do by putting it on Product Hunt.

Why Denver Public Art?

We believe public art is public good, and were so excited to partner with the city of Denver on this project. We also believe like Steve Jobs that, “Technology alone is not enough — it’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the results that make our heart sing.” With over 400 pieces and counting, the Denver Public Art collection has made Denver a destination for art. We wanted to help further their reach and encourage residents and visitors alike to explore the art that colors this city.

The 2017 Startup Week session ultimately resulted in a mobile-first web app to do just that. It is designed to encourage exploration for everyone — it is built to meet WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards, intending to help make public art more accessible. That means all of you 2018 DSW participants too.

Why Product Hunt?

Product Hunt is “…a massive community of innovators and early adopters that can jumpstart your product. So if you want to launch a tech product or service you have to launch it on Product Hunt,” (Ovi Negrean, foundr magazine).

We decided to launch this tool on Product Hunt so we can help put Denver on the map for its art collection. While the city already is a destination for public art, we want to make it the destination for public art.

Why does it matter?

Saatchi Art’s Chief Curator, Rebecca Wilson, said, “We are very much at the heart of a very exciting moment where technology is beginning to change the way artists show their work and the way they are discovered by people who love art.” (Forbes)

We set out to empower Denverites and tourists alike to enjoy the public art that colors the city of Denver. We realized along the way we had a much more important job to do — to help make public art more accessible to everyone.

“There is a recognition that the art world is intimidating and unwelcoming to many people. The Internet cuts across all this and, in contrast, provides an accessible, transparent, non-intimidating way to discover art,” says Wilson.

Now, we want to spread this product beyond our network and connect more people to Denver’s public art.

And we’re bringing it back to Denver Startup Week where it all began.

We need your help putting Denver on the map for public art and spreading this incredible collection.

While you’re enjoying Startup Week, check out the product, explore the public art around town, and leave your feedback for denverpublicart.org on Product Hunt!