Environmental Interpretive Center: Redesign
This project was created as part of a student-sponsored collaboration with the Environmental Interpretive Center at the University of Michigan Dearborn. All rights to the work are retained by the student creators and the sponsoring company.
Exhibit Design
Branding
The Environmental Interpretive Center at the University of Michigan Dearborn reached out to CCS for help redesigning their space. The biggest problems they were facing dealt with lack of visibility within the school community and city. Basically, no one on campus or in the community knew their location, or the amazing things they had to offer. They also had some space saving issues, and a lack of indoor exhibits. Their trails however, are beautiful. A true hidden gem. The EIC wanted to draw in a bigger crowd to enjoy and learn about nature. That is where this partnership between Communication Design and Interior Design came into play. We were tasked with completely revamping the EIC by adding new exhibits, refiguring the space, and coming up with outreach strategies. I had the privilege of working on a team with 3 other amazing designers. Miyana Tatum (Communication Design)
We developed an outreach strategy that would not only draw a crowd in, but keep them coming back. We created a series of posters that would be placed throughout campus and around the community, hoping to draw visitors in with an interesting fact and eye catching visual. From there they could scan a QR code that would take them to an updated version of the EIC’s website where they could find an interactive map of the trails. They can use this map to learn about the different habitats and ecosystems that can be found around the trails.
Once visitors enter the building, they will need to know their way around. We developed a wayfinding system that would move with the patron during their visit. The vinyl guiding lines on the floor direct patrons through the space while corresponding with more traditional signs that can be found throughout the building. Our color palette and design choices all point back to our theme of nature and movement. One exhibit we created was a bird-centered exhibit. This would be a rotating exhibit that would display a number of different species of bird figures to educate visitors on the local species. In the exhibit, there would be infographics giving basic facts about the bird being featured, as well as pressure plates that would play a bird call when they are stepped on. This interactive feature will help visitors learn different bird calls and get better at identifying them in their everyday life. Giving them Knowledge that will follow them through their life.
Then we created a field guide that would be available to guests upon entering the building. Inside they would be able to find information on local flora and fauna they can keep an eye out for, as well as other activities they can complete during their visit. There is a space inside for field notes to be taken. This can be appreciated by adult visitors as well as the many school groups that come through the EIC. In the guide there would be a place to collect badges for completing challenges such as spotting a certain bird, or participating in certain events. This creates an incentive to continue returning and engaging.
As part of this project we needed to build a prototype of one of our exhibit concepts. My team built out the model of the Watershed Table. This is an interactive table that would be both wheelchair and child accessible, and can be used to tell a number of different stories through written word or visually with projections. This could be a stand alone exhibit as well as an interesting visual that can be used during tours. We decided to really focus on the overall history of the industrialization of the area and how it has affected the environment. This is just one example of the kind of stories that can be displayed here. The possibilities of this table are endless. It can explore topics like glacial movement patterns or the history of settlements in the area. Truly any story can be told through this communication system. The information blocks can be touched and interacted with as well as the topographic nature of the table itself can be felt and used as a sensory tool for learning.
PROCESS:
The process for this project consisted of a lot of research as well as in-person visits to the EIC to gain first hand experience of the space and hear what the client was looking for straight from the source. After developing our concept, we presented an overview of all of our ideas in a working session with the client. We took that feedback, and ran with it. We designed our hearts out. After many, many rounds of iterations, we presented our design concept. My team worked very well together, and we all wanted the same thing: to meet the clients needs. In our final design sprint we completed all of our design assets and they were integrated into the interior designers working file. We were critiqued and given advice from our professors, and other frequent visitors of the EIC and we took that criticism well and applied what we thought would bring us to the best outcome. Once our design was finalized, it was time to start building our prototype. With many trips to the laser cutter, plotter printer, and the Audio Visual Center, we were able to put together a fully working exhibit. This was an amazing experience to have and I am so proud of the work my team has done.