A sequel to an earlier entry (eight years later), this entry builds upon how “service densities” on the neighborhood level are expressed. 

Pretty neat to see a mostly-digital service’s bits become touchable atoms, peppered throughout the streets of a neighborhood. When I previously wrote about these, the lockboxes on the metal fences around planters and metal window grates of Boston were likely primarily for Airbnb, either guests or the people charged with cleaning before and after each guest. Being a semi-illicit service that’s faced pushback from both the local legal level and the neighborhood level, it would make sense not to broadly advertise the purpose of the lockbox as being used for Airbnb.

In this case, as seen for Rover and Wag, there are advantages to giving branded access in the form of a physical touchpoint. Not only does it make it clearer for the dogwalkers as service deliverers, but it also serves as a way to advertise the service itself to passsersby, with its brightly colored lockbox standing out from the others. Contrast the relative position/ease of access of Rover’s lock with Wag’s lock here – what does that imply? Logos have long been converging upon forms and typefaces that are more pixel-friendly. What does a lock-friendly logo look like?

Some lockboxes have been modified for distinction and visibility with tape and stickers. As locks reach such a critical mass that they need their own markings with which to stand apart, giving clues to both owners and any others who need to access it. Others have had stickers from a local locksmith affixed, used (appropriated?) as a contextually appropriate billboard.

Consider the context around where these locks gather as well – those here have appeared locked to a planter outside of a grocery store, and outside of a residential building. Consider what varies about the lockboxes (and their contents) across different contexts.