The Design Trust published this illustrated set of design guidelines, Designing for Security, to help the Art Commission of the City of New York [now the Public Design Commission] advocate for change in the way security concerns are addressed in the design of public architecture.

In response to a request from the Art Commission of the City of New York, the Design Trust for Public Space researched issues in security and public design, and organized workshops to bring designers together with City agencies to address these concerns.

Design Trust Fellow Elizabeth Kennedy led the Art Commission in a year-long educational process, including extensive research, participatory workshops, and interviews. Based on Ms. Kennedy’s work, James Russell wrote the text, which is interspersed with successful security design solutions compiled by Meredith Kelly.

In conjunction with the Designing for Security project, the Design Trust also sponsored a separate photographic survey by Elizabeth Felicella called "Uneasy Spaces", which documents the actual effect of security measures on public spaces throughout New York City. Ms. Felicella's images are included as a chapter of this document.