RESEARCH & WRITING

Discovering the Science Museum online

Exploring relationships between physical and digital space

A 4-week exploration of how a digital space could encourage people to discover lesser-known artefacts in the Science Museum's digital archive. Concepts for navigating the online database using 3D space and translating users' 'movements' through the space into personalised outcomes.

A mockup of a bespoke website for navigating the Science Museum catalogue. It is a black background with "Welcome" in different languages and the Science Museum logo in the top left hand corner.
A 3D grid of grey dots on a black background. Each dot represents an item in the Science Museum collection.
A screenshot where a user has zoomed in on one of the dots in the grid. They have instructions on screen on how to use their mouse or keyboard to change focus to another dot in the grid.
A screenshot where a user has zoomed in on one of the dots in the grid. They have instructions on screen on how to use their mouse or keyboard to change focus to another dot in the grid.
A screenshot where a user has zoomed in on one of the dots in the grid. They have instructions on screen on how to use their mouse or keyboard to change focus to another dot in the grid.
A screenshot where a user has zoomed in on one of the dots in the grid. They have instructions on screen on how to use their mouse or keyboard to change focus to another dot in the grid.
A screenshot where a user has zoomed in on one of the dots in the grid. They have instructions on screen on how to use their mouse or keyboard to change focus to another dot in the grid.
A dot in the grid is highlighted with a red glow.
The highlighted dot has opened an overlay with information about the corresponding item in the Science Museum collection.
The user has selected a second dot in the grid and a link has been formed between the two. The link glows a bright white. The overlay has changed to reflect the new selected item.
As a user selects new dots, the connected dots begin to form a pattern in the 3D grid.
Many users are selecting dots at the same time, creating multiple, overlapping, multi-coloured trails through the grid.
A single user can view their own trail through the grid.

A mockup of a bespoke website for navigating the Science Museum catalogue. It is a black background with "Welcome" in different languages and the Science Museum logo in the top left hand corner. A 3D grid of grey dots on a black background. Each dot represents an item in the Science Museum collection. A screenshot where a user has zoomed in on one of the dots in the grid. They have instructions on screen on how to use their mouse or keyboard to change focus to another dot in the grid. A screenshot where a user has zoomed in on one of the dots in the grid. They have instructions on screen on how to use their mouse or keyboard to change focus to another dot in the grid. A screenshot where a user has zoomed in on one of the dots in the grid. They have instructions on screen on how to use their mouse or keyboard to change focus to another dot in the grid. A screenshot where a user has zoomed in on one of the dots in the grid. They have instructions on screen on how to use their mouse or keyboard to change focus to another dot in the grid. A screenshot where a user has zoomed in on one of the dots in the grid. They have instructions on screen on how to use their mouse or keyboard to change focus to another dot in the grid. A dot in the grid is highlighted with a red glow. The highlighted dot has opened an overlay with information about the corresponding item in the Science Museum collection. The user has selected a second dot in the grid and a link has been formed between the two. The link glows a bright white. The overlay has changed to reflect the new selected item. As a user selects new dots, the connected dots begin to form a pattern in the 3D grid. Many users are selecting dots at the same time, creating multiple, overlapping, multi-coloured trails through the grid. A single user can view their own trail through the grid.

Translating digital space into physical space -
3D projection concept

Personalised merchandise concepts

 

The legacy of the valve

Investigating a relationship between an object and place

One of the modules of my MA course challenged us to notice the ignored - to unearth an untold story or find a new perspective on the place where we live.

I started the project with a thermionic valve. An outdated, inefficient electronic device that was central to two, world-changing technological breakthroughs in the small town of Bletchley. The essay draws parallels between the now-defunct component and the quiet and unassuming town.

 

www.eliserobinson.co.uk
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