Over the course of this semester, we have learned the best practices of Interaction Design (IxD). This specific project was aimed to create an exhibition for the Indiana Historical Society. We developed a paper prototype, a typographic palette, and a color palette in advance of the finished product; these may be found in the menu at the bottom of the website. Following the preparation tasks, we started prototyping. You will find low-fidelity and mid-fidelity prototypes throughout this portfolio. You may learn out more about the elements of this particular exhibition by clicking through the main navigation.

 

This exhibition was inspired by Newton & Weiss' book Skirting the Issue: Stories of Indiana's Historic Women Artists. According to the ethos of the late 1800s and early 1900s, a woman's destiny was to be a wife, mother, and guardian of the virtues of the home. However, some women wanted more and, despite cultural expectations, chose to explore creativity and seek art training (Newton & Weiss, 2004). The goal of this exhibition is to share the stories of the Indiana Women Artists both in the past and the present. Additionally, it seeks to show visitors that everyone can be an artist and get "out of the shadows." 

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The exhibition has three components: physical experience, digital experience, and live actor experience. The physical experience is the physical space itself. Within the space, there will be artworks on the walls and a television that plays, Out of the Shadows: Portraits of Historic Women Artists. Additionally, there will be a table with various drawing materials for people to draw self-portraits. After the visitor draws their self-portrait or a portrait of someone else, they will give it to an employee who will scan it into the virtual reality art gallery experience.

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The digital component of this exhibition takes place in a room within the physical exhibition. In the room, there are three chairs with virtual reality headsets on them. When a visitor enters the room, the Indiana Historical Society employee will explain to the visitor how to use the virtual reality headset. Once the visitor puts on the headset, they will be immersed in a virtual reality experience in the English Hotel and showcase images of self-portraits other visitors have created. The visitor will have the opportunity to walk through the English Hotel, learn about the significance of the hotel, and interact with the artwork created by other visitors.

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The final component of this exhibition is a live actor component. In this element, an Indiana artist will be there to present. During the presentation, the artist will discuss their history and artwork. The presentation will take 10 to 15 minutes. At the end of the presentation, visitors can ask questions, view the artwork up close, and potentially even purchase the artwork.

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The overall goal of the exhibition is to showcase the works of various women artists in Indiana, from the past and the present. Hopefully, this exhibition will inspire visitors to find their inner artist and bring it out of the shadows.

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