2026
Reach: A Collaborative Data Visualization
2026 Prompt (with Radius Collective)
Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Radius Collective was invited to be the keynote speakers at the 2026 MFA/CD Spring Residency at Texas State University. We also led a 1 day conceptual design making workshop, Prompt.
The goal of "Reach" was: in real time, record, visualize and install data related to the physical reach of the participating individuals. The activity became a shared data visualization installation created within just 30 minutes.
Images by Libby Allen and Radius Collective members.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Prompt is collaborative workshop that explores the theme of distance through rapid design prompts and experimental making activities that investigate mapping, translation, and movement. By the end of the day, participants transform their collective experiments into a collaboratively designed exhibition assembled on-site.
The first stage of "Reach" was to collect and mark data points points for height, reach to one side, and reach (or jump) above. The initial marking of height instantly required assistance by another participant — an ice-breaker before a full day of creative collaboration. The rules were purposely simple and encouraged diving in to the work with little hesitation.
The next stage was to connect the points using specific colors for the different data points. The project encourages participants to think creatively about their initial placements — how high or low could you reach to one side? How high could you jump? Could you use furniture or other participants to set your data point higher?
The pay-off for this installation is immediate — as you participate, you also see others contributing to the collaboration and within 30 minutes, the wall goes from a blank canvas to a snapshot of that moment and those particular collaborators and their decision-making.
For more about this workshop and the other creative activities during Prompt, please visit radiuscollective.com