Discovery Centre
13 hands-on digital exhibits, including a multiplayer city building game and a human body systems interactive.
01
Moving to a new space
Working with Aldrich Pears Associates, NGX Interactive created 13 digital exhibits as Discovery Centre shifted to a prime new location on Halifax's downtown waterfront.
I was the Design Lead for touch interactive exhibits in the energy, health, flight, kids, and ocean galleries, directing designers and illustrators on my team, designing some of the more complex interactives, and collaborating with animators and developers.
Role — UX/UI Design Lead
Hardware — Various touchscreens, some with projector integration, Puffersphere Touch
Studio — NGX Interactive, Aldrich Pears Associates (exhibit design)
Awards — SEGD Global Design Awards — Flight gallery (Merit), Summit Emerging Media Award — Secrets of your Insides exhibit (Silver), CASCADE Award (Canadian Association of Science Centres) — Energy gallery (Finalist)
02
Scotia City
Can you make good choices to keep Scotia City the wonder that is it?
In this multiplayer game, up to four visitors make personal choices in their Scotia City households and watch the effects of their collective decisions take hold on the projected city in front of them. Every choice has an effect on city density, transportation, power generation, and other civic affairs. Big issues are voted on and badges are earned along the way to gamify the experience.
Role — UX/UI design, art direction
Hardware — Four 19" touchscreens, projector
Studio — NGX Interactive, Aldrich Pears Associates (exhibit design)
I created the UX documentation and the user interface, integrating 3D elements and creating reward badges. Each kiosk is distinctly colour coded, which comes into play during community votes or as changes happen within the city projection.
Newspapers pop-up to alert players of issues in the city and influence decision making.
This project went through many prototyping phases. A three-dimensional city that was viewable from any direction was created after testing a number of sketches with a projector in the R&D space.
03
THe Science of You
Twelve different body systems can be explored from any of the stations around a nearly life-size figure. Visitors can rotate and zoom into different systems within their own window or watch short videos. This interactive can accommodate up to eight users around the touch surface or can switch to a teacher mode for directed group lessons.
Role — UX/UI design, art direction
Hardware — Two 55" touchscreens forming a long touch surface
Studio — NGX Interactive, Aldrich Pears Associates (exhibit design)
I was responsible for the UI and initial art direction of the animations and 3D models, setting a plastic-like style to make the body systems less gross and more approachable. The UI was made to be minimalist with a futuristic flair to complement the subject matter.
Email — shout@justinwilliams.ca
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© 2022 Justin Williams.
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