Kidspace

Designer

Designed new museum exhibit for client to install and coordinating Pop-Up Play experiences for educators to reach children who aren't able to visit the museum in person.

YEAR

ROLE

TEAM

SKILLS

BRAND

2019

Designer

Michelle Romero & Marianne Wellman

Case Study, Sponsored Project, Prototyping, Social Impact, User Testing, Systems Design, Product & Exhibit Design

Kidspace Children's Museum, Designmatters

Kidspace Children's Museum

To nurture the potential of all children through kid-driven experiences, inspiring them to become joyful, active learners.

Mission Statement:

Museum is located Pasadena, CA targeted for children ages 6 months - 12 years old

Stakeholder Needs

Unique Experiences

The exhibit currently available for ages 1-4 is standard and easily replicated, it does not align with the mission of the Kidspace Children's Museum

No Loose Parts

Finding a balance between open ended play and loose parts, which can often become missing over time without constant supervision

Teachable Moments

Parents are easily driven to engage in play when they can have new, unique teaching moments with their child

Cause & Effect

Younger age groups are happily engaged repeating the same activity, older ages require more advanced, educational programming

In a world overly saturated with tech and sensory stimulation, how can we introduce a new experience that focuses on nature and open-ended, kid driven play?

Ideation Process

Play Testing

Regular onsite visits for interviews to validate concepts with parents & children

SENS:ATION

a sensory play exhibit for children’s museums and their larger communities

SENS:ATION Exhibit installation

SENS:ATION Outreach at Public Library

Sensory Details

Sensory play is critical for young children to establish healthy neural pathways between sensory stimulation and non-threatening experiences.

Exhibit Sight

Interchangable curved acrylic panels with spinners allow for interactivity & easy color mixing.

Exhibit Touch

molds have various textures hooked up to low-flow water pump allows climbing & whole-body touch

Exhibit Sound

Metal and wood found objects used to explore sounds

Exhibit Sight

Interchangable curved acrylic panels with spinners allow for interactivity & easy color mixing.

Exhibit Touch

molds have various textures hooked up to low-flow water pump allows climbing & whole-body touch

Exhibit Sound

Metal and wood found objects used to explore sounds

Table Top Sight

Film gels as loose parts to explore the environment and allow kids to place & stack gels to create images

Table Top Touch

Laser cut pieces easily stack for transport for rubbing textures

Table Top Sounds

Not a traditional instrument, reconfigure raised & flat tiles with various materials.

Table Top Sight

Film gels as loose parts to explore the environment and allow kids to place & stack gels to create images

Table Top Touch

Laser cut pieces easily stack for transport for rubbing textures

Table Top Sounds

Not a traditional instrument, reconfigure raised & flat tiles with various materials.

00:53

Library Scenario

See how SENS:ATION outreach activities can be used in public libraries.

00:23

At Home Scenario

SENS:ATION online programming allows for sensory activities at home.

00:53

On Site Scenario

Visiting the SENS:ATION exhibit at the museum is fun for the whole family!

See SENS:ATION at work in your community:

Reaching the Community

Kidspace educators can bring these exhibits to communities through Pop Up experiences in throughout LA County. Activities are designed to fit in a traveling cart with accompanying online activities.

Next Steps

At the end of 14 weeks, our proposal was presented to the Kidspace team. Project is ready to move forward pending grant funding, testing, and approval.

Final Presentation to ArtCenter Administration & Kidspace Management