AGNSW DESIGN INTERNSHIP PROJECT
In the summer of 2019, Stanford granted me a global studies scholarship to intern abroad at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. At the gallery I was placed in the Creative Studio, which handled all the 2D graphic designs and the 3D exhibition design. Throughout the course of my internship, I helped designers on various tasks throughout the gallery. However, the main project I was involved with was through the Learning and Participation department in connection with the creative studio. I was tasked to design a new Children's Information Kiosk to help young families better navigate the gallery.
Project Scope
Learning and Participation wanted to inform, engage, and provide resources for young families. To help meet these goals, a Children's Information Kiosk will be stationed on weekends and school holidays to provide information, storage space for children's activities, and new opportunities for children and their families.
My work
1. I observed the entrance court and the current children's activities during school holidays and weekends.
2. I documented user experience through journey maps and interviews.
3. I went through several rounds of iteration and discussed my designs with both the members of the Creative Studio and Learning and Participation.
4. I rendered my ideas in the 3D modeling platform Google Sketch-up, as it is the preferred modeler of AGNSW.
5. I am in communication with companies to manage the production of the desk.
Learning and Participation Programs
My children's interactions were focused around the "Drop In and Make Sessions" and the upcoming "Art Box Trail". The Drop in and Make Sessions are art sessions held in the entrance court where kids can create art within a theme of a current exhibition. The Art Box Trails would involve a type of scavenger hunt where young kids, with their art box of supplies, can complete activities throughout the museum. Kids will be able to pick up their art box from the Children's Kiosk and then navigate throughout the museum with their family.
User Research Summary
Young Family Observations at the Gallery
Young Family Observations at the Drop In and Make Sessions
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Children wander off
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Confusion
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Struggle with way-finding
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1/7 families spot the Children’s Trails
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Rush from 10.30-12pm
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About 50% of parents know about Drop In & Make before arrival
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Kids are curious about art-making
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Parents deterred by longer lines
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Kids grab onto the cart
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Ask attendant about other kids activities
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Want to know if it’s free
Existing Issues
1. Existing desk does not fit the necessary supplies
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2. Children's activities are hidden
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3. Questions and confusion create long lines
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4. Ineffective signage and messy appearance
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I wish
Attendants and staff wish the desk was...
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More mobile/easier to transport
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Versatile
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Bigger Wheels
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Wider, to hold more children's activities
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Visible
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More storage space
Design Constraints
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Size
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​Fit A3/A4 size paper
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Storage Space
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​Store children’s activities art supplies & art boxes.
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Durable & Moveable
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​Able to be moved with ease, moved often, and easily kept in storage
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Flexible
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Can double as family information desk and hold children’s art activities
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Can fit into various spaces, i.e. the vestibule or main court area
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Power​
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​Placement determines the carts access to power
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Design Space
Choosing a Design
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Two-part design
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one for Drop In and Make Activities
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one for Art Box Trail (pick up in vestibule)
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Not identical
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Easily transformed
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Curved and Approachable
Placement
Potential Placement in the Vestibule
Potential Placement in the Main Court
Potential Placement in the Vestibule and Main Court
Prototype 1 Rendering
Drop In and Make Kiosk
Vestibule Kiosk
Improving the Design
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First prototype focused on dimensionality
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Second prototype will focus more on form and function
Prototype 2 Rendering
Drop In and Make Kiosk and Vestibule Kiosk Front
Drop in and Make Kiosk
Vestibule Kiosk
Potential Signage
Moving Forward
Due to the limited duration of my internship, I could not be present to see my desk finished. However, I was able to begin negotiations with several different designers on pricing/timing. Before leaving Australia, I handed off the work I had done for the kiosk to a designer in the Creative Studio.