PostmodernCard
The Challenge
Create a whimsical, fun, and magical interactive experience for visitors that delivers a buzz-worthy keepsake to share on social media
The Solution
A postcard for the digital age
The Details
Timeline: 6 weeks
Client: Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building
Course: Making Spaces, Fall 2017
Team Members: Claudia Mezey, Thomas Zembowicz
My Responsibilities: hardware-software interfacing, fabrication, optics; collaborated on all project decisions, owned all physical prototyping
context
One of four wings of the historic Arts and Industries building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
An illuminated orb
arts and industries building
The Smithsonian Future Project will be a non-museum, pop-up exhibition occupying in the Arts and Industries Building (AIB) that aims to give visitors an optimistic glance into the near future
Due to the historic nature of the building, installations cannot make any impact whatsoever
the orb
The Orb is a navigation device that enhances user experiences at the AIB.
Visitors can opt to enter personal information, such as their name and email, into an Orb upon entry. The Orb uses this information to craft a personalized experience and allow seamless wayfinding and interaction throughout the AIB through the use of localized WiFi signaling.
Postmodern Card
PostmodernCard seems like a normal mirror, but when two users walk by, text appears, seemingly floating on top of reality.
PostmodernCard invites them to high five, records a GIF of the interaction, and immediately emails a shareable version of their GIF virtual postcard to both users using data collected remotely from the visitors’ orbs (AIB's custom smart devices lent to visitors).
PostmodernCard pays homage to the countless postcards that Smithsonian-goers have sent to share their museum visits with others. The automatically generated email sent to PostmodernCard users showcases historical postcards alongside a readily shareable gif with an Arts and Industries Building frame.
How it works
A two-way acrylic mirror layered over an LED screen allows us to output graphics to the screen that will be superimposed on the mirror’s reflection.
An Xbox Kinect sensor detects when two users are in front of the display. PostmodernCard learns the two visitors’ names and emails from the Orb using localized WiFi. PostmodernCard greets the users by name and invites them to high five.
A C-Sharp program uses the Kinect to track the two users’ hands and detect when a high five is taking place. The Kinect’s camera records the interaction, saves it as a GIF, and embeds the GIF in a pre-formatted email and automatically sends it to the two users.
Design Process
Our design process started with the “magic mirror” concept of using an LED screen and a two-way mirror for an augmented reality experience. From there, we explored use cases where this type of interactive installation would be most effective in the Smithsonian Arts and Industries building. We focused on our client’s desire for something fun and shareable on social media.
Brainstorming modes of interaction with the “Magic Mirror” technology, using the Future of Cities as sample content.
We tested various body-tracking software and sensors, and chose the Xbox Kinect Sensor its robust tracking abilities and open development platform.
We also experimented with magic mirror setups to determine the ideal materials and explore any optics challenges.
FINAL PROTOTYPE
For our presentation, we needed a portable structure that could house all of the components for both America’s Attic and Postmodern Card. I optimized the design to have as large of a screen as possible for America’s Attic while still fitting through the doors and hallways between the build site and the presentation venue. The structure is constructed of 2x4s and MDF.