Exhibit Design & Engineered Build Plan, 2020
Inflation Table Exhibit
As a new exhibit for the Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art (RIMOSA), The Inflation Table features an open ended experience for the user: it encourages curiosity, playfulness, and physical interaction. I developed and pitched the concept, sketched, modeled, prototyped, and engineered the design and then made a detailed build plan & materials spreadsheet.
How it Works:
The exhibit features 13 bags and two pumps, a tubing network connects each bag to a pump, and rotating disc with cutouts determines which bags inflate. The disc adds ‘randomness’ to the inflation system. There is a prize wheel stopper system installed under the disc to ensure that it will not spin for too long. With planned bag layout and disc cutouts, the user can expect a minimum of one and a maximum of three bags per pump will inflate at every disc position.
Example Scenarios:
Disc is spun and stopped. The disc allows air to flow into 3 bags connected to pump one, and 1 bag from pump two.
Disc is spun and stopped. The disc allows air to flow into 2 bags connected to pump one, and 2 bags from pump two.
Final Deliverable:
Because this internship was remote, I did not construct the exhibit. Instead I created a detailed build plan and a materials spreadsheet. These can be followed to build the exhibit: Link to Build Plan, Link to Materials Spreadsheet
Design Process:
Project Description: I was tasked with designing a new exhibit for The Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art. The non-profit organization aims to foster the traits that artists and scientists share: curiosity, observation, experimentation, and communication. At RIMOSA people explore open-ended, hands-on exhibits and activities.
Design Criteria: All exhibits and programs must be hands-on, open-ended, and catalysts for future learning.
Hands-on: physically interactive, requiring either gross or fine muscle involvement
Open-ended: no one right answer or even a specific end
Catalysts for Future Learning: designed so that their method of construction is visible
RIMOSA prefers exhibits that involve everyday items. This empowers users to see how they could make something similar.
RIMOSA’s Flight Tube Exhibit
RIMOSA’s Zoetrope Exhibit
Inspiration: When researching and brainstorming, I found Nils Völker. His project, “One Hundred And Eight” is an interactive installation that acts like a breathing wall. I enjoyed the experience of watching the bags inflate and deflate and used this as a starting point for my design. Link to Völker’s work
Brainstorming and Experiments: I began by working with inflation techniques, using materials found around my house.
Insights: Following my experiments and interviews with RIMOSA's staff, I made design decisions for how the exhibit would function and integrate into RIMOSA’s collection. I focused on the exhibit’s size, ability to travel, where it could break, the interaction, and the STEAM Concept it would feature.
Concept Sketches: I drafted two designs based on my insights, and presented them to RIMOSA. They chose Design 2.
Design 1
Design 2
Prototypes: I prototyped the bearings, exhibit body, and disc-bag layout
The disc layout above ensures that wherever the disc lands, at least one bag per pump will inflate. The combinations for each spin are shown by this chart.
