Primary Task: Design and develop an exhibit piece for a local daycare, for children 0-5.
Notice: Due to questions about IP surrounding this project, extensive public documentation is not available. For more information, please get in touch!
Location: University Libraries Prototyping Studio
Length: 1 academic year
Phase I: Research
The research phase of this project went through two phases: general research and interviews.
General research consisted of learning about developmental milestones, safety guidelines, and existing exhibition designs.
Several interviews and site visits allowed insight towards the daycare’s learning objectives, company values, and day-to-day logistics.
Location 1
Location 2
Phase 2: Ideation
Throughout and following the research phase, I started broad concept ideation.
Early ideas were centered around themes such as color, movement, light and dark, and play.
Early concept sketching
Possible interaction
“… seeing themselves in different ways.”
The director of the daycare told me that an important value of her business was to “allow children to see themselves in different ways.” This was a major driving force that motivated the final design.
The Driving Concept
Creating a kind of “digital mirror” became primary focus because of its connections to learning objectives, color, play, and ability to show children themselves in, literally, different ways.
Phase 3: Prototyping
Full disclosure: I had never coded before. I learned this project would require extensive coding knowledge.
In the process of determining a final ecosystem, I tested three different hardware/software combinations;
Processing + Leap Motion Controller
Unity + Xbox Kinect
TouchDesigner + Kinect Azure
After spending time with each option, I found that TouchDesigner and the Kinect Azure best satisfied the project’s needs. Additionally, a short-throw projector was used for visualization.
Phase 3.5: User Testing
Throughout the prototyping process, I held many user-testing sessions. These tests allowed me to zero in on hardware requirements, software capability, user capacity, bug testing, and of course, fun factor.
I was also able to conduct user testing at Virginia Tech’s Science Festival, for which I was invited to present my work. The science festival is attended by largely children within my target age demographic, as well as parents and educators.
Phase 4: Physical Footprint
After reaching a satisfactory state of the code, I created an enclosure using CNC milled plywood. The aim of the enclosure was to blend into the surroundings, so the exhibit was more surprising and joyful.
CAD for enclosure
Milled cabinet before finish
Where is it now?
The exhibit has not been installed yet due to supply issues, however, it’s expected to be installed by the end of 2024! I’ve been continuing my work on the exhibit with the Prototyping Studio, and look forward to getting it into its new home!
Zooming Out
Skills Introduced
Exhibition design
Node-based coding (TouchDesigner)
Java (Processing)
Artificial intelligence + machine learning
Skills Reinforced
Design research
User testing
Demography
Stakeholder interviewing
Fundamentals of circuitry
Arduino
Computer aided manufacturing
