Museum of Science, Boston

Project Overview:
Info-tainment Climate Change Kiosk

Create a visually impressive, interactive, info-tainment climate kiosk that educates children on Boston's changing sea levels.

* full process and applications screen designs and interaction protected as proprietary company materials

Key Features:

• Visually Impressive Graphics: Utilize high-quality, dynamic graphics to illustrate the impact of sea rise on the Boston area. This includes interactive maps, animations, and 3D visualizations.
• Scientific Data: Integrate credible scientific sea-rise data and hypotheses from leading experts and research institutions to provide accurate and up-to-date information.
• Future Projections: Showcase predicted sea rise levels, highlighting the potential effects on Boston's neighborhoods, landmarks, and infrastructure.
• Interactive Elements: Include touchscreens and interactive displays that allow users to explore different scenarios, view detailed information, and engage with the content in a hands-on manner.
• Educational Content: Provide context and explanations to help visitors understand the causes and consequences of sea rise, including its impact on the environment, economy, and daily life in Boston.

Audience

The kiosk will cater to a wide range of visitors, including students, families, tourists, and science enthusiasts. It aims to raise awareness about climate change and its potential effects on the local community, inspiring action and engagement.

Design and Development

Research and Data Collection

• Challenge: Gather sea-rise data and hypotheses from reputable sources, including scientific studies, government reports, and academic research.
• Solution: Interviewed local marine biologists who’s specialty was the study of sea levels

Graphic Design

• Challenge: Create visually compelling graphics and animations that effectively convey the projected sea rise scenarios.
• Solution: Build the application integrating Google Earth onto a Flex framework. Used Adobe Illustrator and Premiere to design a fun animated intro to lure people into engaging with the app.

Interactive Features

• Challenge: Develop interactive elements that encourage user engagement and exploration.
• Solution: Program javascript buttons that allow user to make the ocean levels rise and fall over the Google Earth 3D representation of the Boston harbor and skyline. Buttons also allow the user to pivot the point-of-view up and down, left and right.

Content Creation:

• Challenge: Write clear and concise educational content to accompany the visual displays, ensuring accessibility and understanding for all visitors.
• Solution: Reviewed the educational content displays in the museum and mirrored their structure and design aesthetic to then create ones specific to our kiosk.

Testing and Refinement:

• Challenge: Conduct user testing to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments to enhance the user experience.
• Solution: Invite friends' children to “button mash” the kiosk as I observe, and ask questions about their experience with it.

Deliverables

• Fully functional info-tainment kiosk with touchscreens and interactive displays
• High-quality graphics and animations illustrating sea rise projections
• Educational content explaining the causes and consequences of sea rise
• User-friendly interface for seamless navigation and interaction