Discovery Space Design Project

This semester-long design project tasked my team with creating an interactive exhibit for children that demonstrates a scientific principle. Our exhibit was centered around sound waves and how they interact with certain materials. The concept was to house PVC pipes in a wooden box; the pipes can be struck with a small foam mallet which produces sound. Different materials could be inserted into the pipes, deadening the waves and producing different sounds. The simple principle being demonstrated allowed the exhibit to be accessible to children of all ages at the Discovery Space while still being engaging. My biggest focus during this project was satisfying customer needs. Because the exhibit was to be used by young children, it needed to be completely safe when handled in any manner. Our signage also needed to remain simple because many of the kids have not yet reached advanced reading comprehension. This project taught me how important it is to keep the customer needs in focus at all times and to cater the design to the audience as necessary.