Display Walkthrough - Exhibit Intro

Working with IntuiFace over the past month, I developed a working display for the introduction screens and the first sections of the exhibit. Because of time constraints of this year, I will not be able to translate all of my initial designs and outlines into IntuiFace, but with what I have completed so far, I have nearly finished a working exhibit display that fulfills my original purpose of this project, and which I can display in the Sandy Hook Visitors Center this summer.

The links below show my progress in the exhibit so far. For the next week, I will make the display as complete as possible before adding in Margaret's and Michaela's videos into a comprehensive presentation.

Introduction Screens

Exhibit Part 1

Exhibit Part 2

Exhibit Part 3

Exhibit Part 4

App Development Progress Update

I am currently working on developing an app to use on a tablet, which my group and I will install in the Sandy Hook Visitors Center. The tablet will feature Michaela's and my virtual walkthrough video, Margaret's documentary, and my interactive exhibit.

I recently decided to move forward with a program called Intuiface, which provides free software designed specifically for touch-screen displays and museum kiosk use, without requiring that users have knowledge of coding. Because of the drastic differences between this program and my previous plan of using standard app building services, in both the abilities and features of the program and how a user operates the program, I am currently reworking many of my original plans. 

Although my app will follow the basic storyboard of my previous plans and the outlines of research, the app will feature many more screens presented in an almost entirely different design, with more advanced transitions and interactions. The focus of this exhibit is now more on interaction with the user because of the range of possibilities opened up by Intuiface. Although my working timeline is set farther back than I initially hoped, Intuiface will allow me to create a final product of an entirely different and superior nature than would have been possible using other more basic programs.

For visual comparison, Figure 1 shows the app mock-up website AppNotch I initially began to use, and Figure 2 shows my progress in Intuiface. I will continue to publish updates regarding my progress on the app according to my new plans as I rework my timeline.

Figure 1: Basic app mock-up on AppNotch.com.

Figure 2: Intuiface screen for transitions and animations associated with interactions. Intuiface uses an "if-then" model to allow users to control and guide interactions without coding.

Bill of Materials

Materials Takeoff of Chemistry/Impressionism Exhibit, a 9’ x 7’ x 4 ½’ Interactive Kiosk

Item	Description	QTY		Size		Unit	Remarks
			L	W	T
P1	Aluminum studs	29	92 5/8”	4”	2”	Lin. ft	Used for kiosk main frame (6 for top/bottom frame, 23 for internal support)
P2	Drywall	4	96”	4”	1/2"	Sq. ft	Used as kiosk surface, attached to structural frame
P3	Drywall screws	250	3”	-	-	-	Used to secure drywall to stud frame
P4	Drywall tape	1	100”	2”	-	Roll	Used to secure drywall in corners, where wall is not flush to stud frame
P5	Finishing nails	100	2”	-	-	-	Used to secure visible surface of kiosk
P6	Primer	1	-	-	-	Gallon	Used to prepare surface before painting
P7	Paint	1	-	-	-	Gallon	Used for painting kiosk to match walls (Neptune Blue)
P8	Sanding block	1	-	-	-	Sheet	Used to prepare surface before painting
P9	Spackle	1	-	-	-	Gallon	Used to smooth surface before painting

Press Release

Systems Engineering II: Sandy Hook Art and Science Museum

Presentation Announcement

Students of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST)—Alice Maiden, Margaret Goddard, and Michaela Altland—will present their senior capstone project, the Sandy Hook Art and Science Museum, on January 22 at 12:15 P.M.at M.A.S.T. in Highlands, New Jersey.

Sandy Hook: Alive with Art, Science, and History

On historic Fort Hancock, New Jersey, MAST students proposed to exhibit information about the relationship between art and science. Lieutenant Quarters #3, a World War II officers’ home from when the fort was active, is deteriorating along with similar buildings along Officer’s Row. Alice Maiden is developing plans to re-purpose the building as an art and science museum.

Designing a Museum

Figure 1: Exhibit panel template.

Alice Maiden is developing plans for the Sandy Hook Art and Science Museum’s layout and exhibits. The floor plan illustrates a visitor’s museum experience through exhibits and circulation routes; and Maiden is compiling and virtually publishing one exhibit display about the relationship between chemistry and Impressionism, part of which is illustrated by Figure 1, which shows a template for part of the display. Her publication will consist of a touch screen exhibit application, a printed exhibit panel, and a website exhibiting her work.

Learning from Experts

Maiden and her team are working alongside professionals throughout the project. Using their guidance, Maiden has followed a design process closely mirroring those of graduate students and professionals. Mr. Thomas Hoffman, Ms. Jennifer Cox, and Mr. John Warren—employees of the National Park Service—serve as Maiden’s clients. Throughout the year, she tests her work against their expectations and critiques through client presentations.

Mrs. Mary Rasa, a former museum curator for the National Park Service, has guided Maiden in the research and design process, providing her with resources and insight into client communications. Maiden also sought guidance from communication design experts Prof. Lawrence Langham of the Fashion Institute of Technology and Mr. Josh Miller of Kutztown University, both of whom helped Maiden format her designs for professional use.

Designing like a Scientist

Maiden’s project involves science through the design process and the museum content. Maiden translates complex scientific concepts to language that communicates to young children, the museum’s audience. Among many other subtopics within the exhibit about chemistry and Impressionism, Maiden discusses the behavior of light, chemical reactions in pigments, and color theory. She applies engineering concepts in making the museum accessible: she follows the Smithsonian Institute’s criteria in designing the floor plan and exhibit displays. Maiden will also apply computer science concepts in the touch screen app and website that showcase her work.

Experiencing the Museum

Maiden will create a website, a printed exhibit, and an app for her touch screen exhibits. She is also creating a virtual walk-through presentation with Altland to feature in the Sandy Hook Visitor Center, which will simulate a visitor’s path through the museum. Also incorporated into the presentation are Goddard’s documentary and Maiden’s exhibit.

Sandy Hook Art and Science Museum

On January 22 at 12:15 P.M. at MAST in Highlands, NJ, Alice Maiden and her team members Altland and Goddard are developing plans for the Sandy Hook Art and Science Museum, featuring interactive exhibits about the relationship between art and science. Maiden is working with design professionals to develop an exhibit discussing relationship between chemistry and Impressionism. They will display their work in the Sandy Hook Visitors Center this summer.

For more details about the Sandy Hook Art and Science Museum in Highlands, NJ, contact Alice Maiden at amaiden@ctemc.org or visit the Marine Academy of Science and Technology at am-se2art-sciencemuseum.blogspot.com.

About the Marine Academy of Science and Technology

The Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) is a co-ed four-year high school, grades 9-12; one of the five career academies administered by the Monmouth County Vocational School District. The Marine Academy is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and offers small classes with close personal attention. The Marine Academy was founded in 1981 as a part-time program, which has since grown to become a full-time diploma-granting program. The school’s curriculum focuses on marine sciences and marine technology/engineering. The MAST program requires each student to participate in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) in lieu of Physical Education.

MAST is located in the Fort Hancock Historic Area at the tip of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The school campus is located adjacent to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in the country, in thirteen newly renovated buildings, within walking distance of several beaches. The “Blue Sea” is a 65-foot research vessel owned and operated by the Marine Academy and berthed at the U.S. Coast Guard Station, Sandy Hook. The vessel is used in all facets of the program.

- # # # -

For additional information:

Marine Academy of Science and Technology

(732) 749-3600

Alice Maiden, E: amaiden@ctemc.org

Ms. Wendy Green, Mr. Cuttrell, V: 732-291-0995

Plan of Procedures: Exhibit Panel Templates and Outline

At this stage in my project, I have completed the developmental work for my exhibit: the templates for each panel and the topic outline for the panels' content. Now, I will use the outline to compile final imagery and text for the panels, and use the templates to construct the final exhibits. In the future, I will begin work on translating the touch screen exhibits to a virtual format, most likely using an app-building program.

Below are the final templates for each panel of the exhibit. For touch screen exhibits (Panels 1, 2, and 4), I have included thumbnails of multiple sample screens in order; and for the printed exhibit (Panel 3), I have included a template with sample imagery and text layout.

Beneath these templates, please find the outline of topics I am covering within the exhibit.

Fig 1: Developmental outline of screens within Panel 1, touch screen exhibit.

Fig 2: Developmental outline of screens within Panel 2, touch screen exhibit.

Fig 3: Developmental template of Panel 3, a printed exhibit.

Fig 4: Developmental outline of screens within Panel 4, touch screen exhibit.

Outline for Exhibit Content

Panel 1 - What is a Pigment?

Touch screen exhibit, 8 screens

        I.            What is a pigment?

a.       Purpose: Introduction screen

b.      Content: Color wheel, title

      II.            What is a pigment? (the building block of paint)

a.       Purpose: Basic concepts of pigments

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Pigment definition

                                                             ii.      Organic pigments

   III.            How are pigments made? (from the ground and the factory)

a.       Purpose: Detail about pigments

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Inorganic

1.      Characteristics

2.      Chemical processes

                                                             ii.      Summary

1.      Differences between two types

2.      Serve same role

   IV.            How does light work? (coloring through combinations)

a.       Purpose: Put pigment science into context of basic color science

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Light behavior

1.      Wave explanation

2.      Particle explanation

                                                             ii.      Color combinations

1.      Red/Blue/Yellow

2.      Magenta/Cyan/Yellow

                                                           iii.      Reflection basics (transition into sight)

      V.            How do you see colors? (the science of sight)

a.       Purpose: Relate color science to visual perception, back to paints

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Eye function

1.      Behavior as a camera

2.      Role of light

3.      Basic anatomy

                                                             ii.      Connection with brain

1.      Message sent

2.      Could be different among people

                                                           iii.      How colors are transmitted

1.      Combinations

2.      Differences

   VI.            How does this make paint? (the role of the pigment)

a.       Purpose: Apply color science to paint composition, explain other components

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Components to paint

1.      Pigments

2.      Binder

3.      Solvent

                                                             ii.      Interaction among parts

1.      Ratio

2.      Chemical reaction

                                                           iii.      Varies among times, places, styles

 VII.            How do you get new colors? (why we aren’t stuck with “earth brown”)

a.       Purpose: Summarize basic concepts, transition into next panels (different ways to make paint, developments in pigment manufacturing)

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Review

1.      Pigment composition

2.      Process of production

                                                             ii.      Production allows new creations

                                                           iii.      Different combinations, ingredients, technologies

1.      Rate of new developments

2.      How technology opens opportunities

                                                           iv.      Transition

1.      Variations in past (Panel 2)

2.      Variations in present (Panel 4)

VIII.            What is a pigment? (Closing screen)

a.       Purpose: Restart exhibit for next user, indicate finish point to current user

b.      Content: Original title screen

Panel 2 – How do you make paint?

Touch screen exhibit, 8 screens

        I.            How do you make paint? (Opening screen)

a.       Purpose: Introduction screen

b.      Content: Title, initial button

      II.            Encaustic Paint

a.       Purpose: Explain early methods of paint composition

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Composition

1.      Ingredients

2.      Chemistry involved

                                                             ii.      History

1.      Context in place, time, technology

2.      Notable artists

                                                           iii.      Use

1.      Characteristics

2.      Example uses

   III.            Encaustic Paint with Microscopic Image

a.       Purpose: Supplement chemistry explanation with scientific perspective, visually contrasting accompanying artwork

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Same as previous screen, with microscopic close-up of paint to show pigment suspended in binder

                                                             ii.      Microscopic difference to highlight macroscopic difference

   IV.            Egg Tempera Paint

a.       Purpose: Explain further developed methods of paint composition

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Composition

1.      Ingredients

2.      Chemistry involved

                                                             ii.      History

1.      Context in place, time, technology

2.      Notable artists

                                                           iii.      Use

1.      Characteristics

2.      Example uses

      V.            Egg Tempera Paint with Microscopic Image

a.       Purpose: Supplement chemistry explanation with scientific perspective, visually contrasting accompanying artwork

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Same as previous screen, with microscopic close-up of paint to show pigment suspended in binder

                                                             ii.      Microscopic difference to highlight macroscopic difference

   VI.            Oil Paint

a.       Purpose: Explain modern methods of paint composition, transition into Impressionist period in timeline

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Composition

1.      Ingredients

2.      Chemistry involved

                                                             ii.      History

1.      Context in place, time, technology

2.      Notable artists

                                                           iii.      Use

1.      Characteristics

2.      Example uses

 VII.            Oil Paint with Microscopic Image

a.       Purpose: Supplement chemistry explanation with scientific perspective, visually contrasting accompanying artwork

b.      Content

                                                               i.      Same as previous screen, with microscopic close-up of paint to show pigment suspended in binder

                                                             ii.      Microscopic difference to highlight macroscopic difference

VIII.            How do you make paint? (Closing screen)

Panel 3 – The Rise of Impressionism

Printed exhibit

        I.            Purpose: Introduce Impressionist period and characteristics to put upcoming pigment information in context, and show significance of science in the art world

      II.            Content

a.       What is Impressionism?

                                                               i.      Context

1.      Within art period timelines

a.       Technological advancements

b.      Advancements in artistic technique and understanding

2.      Within history

a.       Socioeconomic causes and factors

b.      Worldview reflected

                                                             ii.      Basic characteristics

1.      Visual appearances

a.       Perception of world

b.      Valued aspects of a picture

2.      Technique

a.       Painting style

b.      How technology allowed style

b.      Color Theory

                                                               i.      Changes in understanding of color

1.      Previous conceptions

2.      New discoveries

                                                             ii.      Impact

1.      On abilities of paint

2.      On abilities of artist

c.       New pigments

                                                               i.      Context of progress

1.      In manufacturing

2.      In technology

                                                             ii.      Opportunities for development

1.      Changes in time period

2.      Transition into timeline of pigments developed (Panel 4)

Panel 4 – New Pigments through Impressionism

Touch screen exhibit, approx. 61 screens (1 for intro, 3 per pigment discussed; current plan: discuss 20 pigments, although could change through developmental process)

        I.            Purpose: Bring all previous scientific information about pigments and paint into artistic context of Impressionism to explain pigments developed through Impressionist period through timeline format, showing changes in period through scientific lens, and showing direct impact of science on Impressionism

      II.            Content

a.       For any pigment in list…

                                                               i.      Person responsible for pigment

1.      Background information on person

2.      Employment in science, art, or both

3.      How they developed pigment

a.       Causes of discovery

b.      Process of production

                                                             ii.      Pigment composition

1.      Ingredients

2.      Basic chemical reactions

                                                           iii.      Example of pigment use

1.      How chemical characteristics affect visual appearance as paint

2.      Supplementary visual

3.      Characteristics

a.       Microscopic

b.      Macroscopic

c.       In context of artists (preferences, opinions)

d.      In context of artistic market (success, problems encountered)

b.      Working list of pigments to discuss:

                                                               i.      Mars Reds

                                                             ii.      Chrome

                                                           iii.      Cobalt Blue

                                                           iv.      Cadmium Pigments

                                                             v.      Synthetic Ultramarine

                                                           vi.      Lemon Yellow

                                                         vii.      Zinc White

                                                       viii.      Viridian Green

                                                           ix.      Aureolin/Cobalt Yellow

                                                             x.      Mauveine

                                                           xi.      Cerulean Blue

                                                         xii.      Cobalt Violet

                                                       xiii.      Alizarin Crimson

                                                       xiv.      Manganese Violet

                                                         xv.      Titanium White

                                                       xvi.      Egyptian Brown

                                                     xvii.      Asphaltum

                                                   xviii.      Indian Yellow

                                                       xix.      Emerald Green

                                                         xx.      Prussian Blue