Designing an Interactive Learning Experience
The Quantrill’s Raid Experiential Learning Exhibit at a historical museum in Lawrence, Kansas was designed to immerse visitors in one of the most harrowing events in Kansas history. As part of this initiative, an interactive kiosk was developed to engage visitors with a multimedia storytelling experience that detailed the brutal events of the raid.
My Role & Contributions
As the lead designer, I was responsible for crafting the visual and interactive experience that guided visitors through the exhibit.
My key contributions included:
1. Designing Engaging Visuals
- Developed historically accurate illustrations and map graphics to help visitors visualize the timeline and impact of the raid.
- Created an intuitive interface with dynamic visuals that enhanced engagement while maintaining historical authenticity.
- Balanced historical accuracy with emotional impact, ensuring visitors connected with the gravity of the events.
2. Developing the User Interaction
- Designed the narrative structure of the interactive kiosk, allowing visitors to explore key events leading up to, during, and after the raid.
- Integrated touchscreen interaction elements, allowing users to navigate through eyewitness accounts, animated battle maps, and survivor testimonies.
- Implemented a progressive storytelling method, where each interaction revealed new layers of information, enhancing user engagement.
3. Enhancing Experiential Learning & Engagement
- Ensured the kiosk aligned with museum pedagogy principles, making historical learning accessible, immersive, and thought-provoking.
- Incorporated interactive decision points, allowing users to step into the shoes of historical figures and explore the consequences of various actions.
- Created visually compelling animations and transitions that kept users engaged throughout the experience.
Challenges & Solutions
- Balancing educational value with emotional impact: The exhibit required careful handling of sensitive content. By using a historical yet engaging visual approach, we ensured visitors grasped the gravity of the events without overwhelming.
- Ensuring user-friendly navigation: Designed an intuitive flow that accommodated both casual visitors and history enthusiasts, allowing for deep exploration or quick interaction.
- Maintaining historical accuracy: Worked closely with historians and museum curators to ensure every detail, from graphic representations to text descriptions, was historically sound.
Outcome & Impact
- The interactive kiosk became a centerpiece of the exhibit, drawing visitors into a deeply immersive educational experience.
- High engagement and retention of historical details due to the interactive storytelling approach.