Designer Maker User Interactives –
The Design Museum

Our brief was to design a series of screen based interactive exhibits for the permanent gallery at the new Design Museum, High Street Kensington. To entertain visitors while also teaching them about chosen aspects of the permanent gallery exhibitions.

The first interactive demonstrates Laver’s Law. James Laver was a fashion historian who believed in the cyclical nature of fashion. We designed an interactive mirror, allowing users to virtually try on outfits from nine different eras. A visitor can choose a prop from the dress up box. If they choose the walkman and look in the mirror, they with be digitally dressed in a 1980s shell suit, that will fit to their body shape and track their movements. If they pick up the fan, they can ‘try on’ a Victorian dress.

An accompanying iPad app informs users of the outfit’s link to Laver’s Law and allows them to take a photo, to share on social media.

The Evolution of Technology wall showcases physical objects and demonstrates how types of objects and technologies are created and change over time. We designed an iPad app that allows visitors to explore the connections between these objects. Helping them understand some of the more interesting stories that link them together.

A third set of iPads allow visitors to learn about the Braun, Apple and Sony products on display at the exhibition.