Exhibition Curation
User-Centered Design
Design Futuring
UI Design
UX Research
[01]
Sector:
UX Research + Interactive Archive Design
[02]
Project Name:
TSG Interactive Exhibition
[03]
Description:
This interactive exhibition at USyd's Tin Sheds Gallery explores Earthworks Collective posters within a fictional totalitarian state, prompting reflection on censorship and institutionalisation.
[04]
Project Type:
Academic work completed during my studies at USYD
[05]
Client:
Tin Sheds Gallery
[06]
Score:
High Distinction [98/100]
✦ This project received the HD score and was kept by the teacher as a sample to be shown to future students.
[07]
Platform:
Figma & Unity 3D
In anticipation of a landmark exhibition slated for 2024, this pioneering design was conceived to showcase the archives and facilitate an interactive dialogue with them. It aims to engage visitors in a reflective journey through the gallery's 'pasts, presents, and futures', prompting a deep and personal engagement with TSG's enduring narrative of social activism.
Tin Sheds Gallery's (TSG) immersive exhibition is a curated exposition of TSG's archived 'Earthworks' posters. This one-of-a-kind event weaves together art, history, and gamification against the backdrop of a hypothetical totalitarian state, a creative choice designed to foreground TSG's staunch commitment to countering social injustice and institutionalization.
Curatorial Context:
Within this interactive exhibition, users actively participate in the observation and analysis of specific posters created by the Earthworks Collective over the period of 1972-1980. These posters are juxtaposed against a fictionalised representation of an intensified totalitarian surveillance state, emphasising a recurring subject seen in notable posters such as 'Create a Self-Managed Society' and 'Universe-City.'
Design Statement:
The experience immerses participants in the tale of the Tin Sheds Gallery, providing a contextualisation of the social and political influences that served as inspiration for the creation of the posters. Fostering critical reflection on current political matters, including censorship and institutionalisation, and its possible ramifications for the gallery's future.
The Earthworks Collective (Click on the image to view it in full size)
Interactive Exhibition Unity Prototype (Click on the image to view it in full size)
This project was executed using the double diamond approach, with a particular emphasis on the iterative process of idea development. By adhering to this systematic process, it was ensured that each successive iteration would enhance prior concepts and integrate feedback, ultimately leading to a compelling outcome.
Approach:
Physical Site Research (Click on the image to view it in full size)
Archive Review (Click on the image to view it in full size)
Centenary Exhibition of Tin Sheds, 1969
The Front Entrance of TSG, 2023
The New Tin Sheds Gallery, 2023
Tin Sheds Interior Space, 2023
As a cornerstone of contemporary artistic expression within the School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney, the Tin Sheds Gallery dates back to an era of dynamic social and political change. The Tin Sheds, originally a collection of functional tin sheds converted into a gallery and workshop in inner Sydney, boasts a rich historical background as a hub for artistic expression and activism.
In the 1970s, this location became a centre for autonomous creative endeavour, promoting political and social activism via the visual arts. The Earthworks Poster Collective, established in 1972, was pivotal in distributing activist art. The University of Sydney (USYD) community and the broader public were moved by their work, which had an influence far beyond the confines of the gallery.
Research:
The Earthworks Poster Collective exerted a significant impact by employing the visual potency of posters as a means to convey and magnify activist sentiments across the entirety of Sydney. Their artistic output transcended mere aesthetics; it initiated a profound discourse with the general populace and served as a visual medium for resistance and advocacy.
With the increasing popularity of the Tin Sheds, an unavoidable institutionalisation process commenced. Recognition and financial backing precipitated a transformation in the operational dynamics of the domain. Once inspired by unrestricted creativity, artists began to experience the burden of formal expectations and restrictions. This shift signified a critical juncture for the Tin Sheds, as it transformed from a boundless domain of artistic pursuit into a formally recognised organisation within the institutional structure of the university.
Audience Research (Click on the image to view it in full size)
To get a deeper comprehension of the present audience of TSG, a survey consisting of 12 questions was conducted to collect data on visitor demographics and perspectives. The results of our research suggest that the TSG, located on the campus of the University of Sydney, mostly appeals to students specialising in art and design. The respondents expressed significant concerns on political and social topics, with a particular focus on the issues of information censorship and surveillance.
Audience Research:
One of the primary advantages of engaging in early user research throughout the curation process was the acquisition of profound insights into the target audience's needs, preferences, and behaviours. By incorporating these learnings into our future design direction, we made sure our curation was user-centric and in line with emerging trends and developments, which might increase its long-term relevance and influence.
Speculated Future (Click on the image to view it in full size)
After acquiring knowledge about the historical and current states of TSG, our focus shifted towards the prospective developments. For the exhibition, our narrative evolved within a speculated future characterised by a totalitarian surveillance state, drawing inspiration from George Orwell's seminal work, "1984." The primary objective of this approach was to stimulate critical thinking skills by engaging individuals in an immersive exploration of historical archives under a heightened dystopian context.
Narrative Crafting:
The incorporation of Double Variable and STEEPLE analyses played a crucial role in our design methodology. These frameworks have facilitated the analysis of intricate future scenarios by breaking them into granular components, offering a systematic method for seeing the future. Using these analytical methodologies, we were able to methodically investigate several facets, guaranteeing a thorough comprehension of the probable outcomes. The careful analysis and deconstruction of our subject matter not only heightened the authenticity of our conceptualised realm but also facilitated the creation of a thought-provoking and pertinent storyline, thereby anchoring our speculative design in feasible future advancements.
Ideation (Click on the arrow to browse more images)
During this phase of the project, we drew inspiration from immersive exhibitions that effectively conveyed narratives. By using a range of ideation methodologies, such as Crazy 8s, brainwriting, mind mapping, and fast sketching, we were able to effectively generate a wide array of concepts that were firmly rooted in our research findings.
Conceptualisation & Idea Development:
Through an extensive examination of memorial exhibition designs, our study explored the intricate representation of trauma and its psychological impacts, critically evaluating the credibility of narratives in light of memory distortions. Recognising the significant importance of exhibits in fostering historical and social engagement, our approach included integrating role-playing and gamification techniques to augment visitor immersion. Using these methods resulted in a shift in the visitor experience, transitioning it from a passive act of observation to an active engagement, establishing a profound and sympathetic connection with historical events. Thus, in turn, stimulated a reflective understanding of the enduring impact of history.
Iterations (Click on the arrow to browse more images)
During the iterative process, guided by ongoing research and user input, our initial role play concept underwent a series of modifications. This refinement led to the development of multiple gamified exhibition models that effectively engage visitors by immersing them in role-play experiences.
Iteration:
Final Product (Click on the arrow to browse more images)
In response to the brief "How can archive interaction effectively engage audiences with the histories and futures of the Tin Sheds Gallery?", our exhibition seamlessly integrates a dramatised and satirical portrayal of the future with the chronological development of the TSG, resulting in a compelling narrative.
Final Product:
The use of role-play serves as a mechanism to engage people in an immersive and confrontational encounter. This approach is facilitated by the utilisation of Earthworks posters, which serve as stimuli for fostering critical introspection about matters of social injustice, the institutionalisation of art, and the historical involvement of the TSG in these domains.
Final Product: Video Walkthrough
The success of the project was attributed to the use of an iterative design process, using the double diamond structure. This approach places significant emphasis on the continual iteration of development, feedback, and refinement processes, facilitating the transformation of the design idea into a highly refined end product. Concurrently, the incorporation of art, history, and gamification facilitated a multifaceted, engaging encounter. Through the integration of these several disciplines, the exhibition transcended the conventional mode of passive observation, therefore encouraging spectators to actively engage and participate in the unfolding story.
Learnings:
The involvement of the audience was a key aspect of the design process. The use of strategies such as role-play and interactive conversations resulted in a notable shift in the role of visitors, transforming them from passive viewers to active participants. This transformation fostered a stronger connection to the material and significantly enhanced the educational effect of the experience. The use of a participatory approach not only enhanced the overall experience but also served as a means of obtaining feedback, so offering significant insights into audience perception and illuminating potential areas for improvement.
2024
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Vincent Feng ©️ 2024
Vincent F. 2024
