Introduction of the Project
NGX Interactive, a creative technology agency, was given the exciting opportunity to design and develop an innovative interactive installation for the National Instruments Texas headquarters. The installation was to be located inside the newly built Founders’ Hall, a modern and dynamic space that reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and rich history. With this project, NGX Interactive set out to create an immersive and engaging experience that would leave a lasting impression on all visitors to the headquarters. Founders Hall is a waiting room or lobby that leads investors and important visitors to the boardroom of the building. The Founders Hall exhibit installations includes The Artifact Explorer and Timeline which both displays the rich historical innovation of National Instruments.
National Instruments Corporation, doing business as NI, is an American multinational company with international operation. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, it is a producer of automated test equipment and virtual instrumentation software.
National Instruments Website
My Role and Responsibilities
As the Interactive Designer for this project at NGX Interactive, I was responsible for interaction, UI design, accessibility design considerations, and motion design for both installations, as well as end-to-end delivery of the project. In the pre-production and ideation stage, I supported our Lead UX Designer in brainstorming and developing reference ideas and prototype animations for the project proposals.
During the production stage, I worked as the sole designer for the project, collaborating closely with two developers who were working on the installations, as well as our project producer. I had weekly reviews with our team, as well as review meetings with our Art Director.
National instruments
Exhibits
Exhibit 01 – The Artifact Explorer
The Artifact Explorer is a 55″ movable 4K touchscreen offers a unique way for visitors to interact. The exhibit features 13 carefully curated artifacts that have been selected to provide insight into the beginnings of National Instruments.
The Artifact Explorer is designed to be both informative and entertaining. Visitors can glide the touchscreen along the railings as they explore each artifact. They can learn about the context of each artifact by accessing assets such as interviews with the founders and other experts in the field. Textual context is available to provide a deeper understanding of the artifacts on display.
To enhance the experience further, the Artifact Explorer also offers a range of multimedia features. Visitors can view secondary videos that provide additional background information and insights into the artifacts. They can also explore each artifact in 360 degrees, providing a truly immersive experience. Additionally, visitors can interact with three specific points of each artifact, allowing them to gain a more understanding of the details and intricacies of these historical objects.
The Artifact Explorer provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the history of this iconic company in a way that is both informative and engaging.
To ensure that visitors with physical disabilities are not excluded from the exhibit, the artifact explorer is designed to made sure that some of the artifacts that may not be within the accessible reach are still accessible. This is achieved by pressing the accessibility button, which allows visitors to access videos related to those artifacts. This feature is particularly helpful for visitors who may not be able to physically engage with some of the artifacts, but still want to learn about them. In addition to the video feature, the exhibit also includes a 360-degree navigation feature that is displayed at the bottom of each artifact. This feature allows visitors to rotate the artifact on the screen, thereby enabling them to view the artifact from different angles. Ensuring the accessible capabilities of the screen was one of the most rewarding for me.
Exhibit 02 – Timeline
The Timeline give visitors a comprehensive understanding of the history and development of National Instruments. This interactive experience consists of five 75-inch 4K touchscreens, which can be used in two modes: multi-use and presentation mode.
In multi-use mode, up to five visitors can interact with the screens at the same time. This mode is perfect for groups of investors who want to explore the exhibit together. Each screen features a unique category that highlights a different aspect of National Instruments’ history. These categories include National Instrument History, Engineering History, World History, and Science.
The National Instrument History category showcases the evolution of National Instruments’ product line and the company’s growth over the years
In presentation mode, the Timeline offers a more structured and educational experience. A presenter can control the four screens from the fifth screen, showcasing important events in National Instruments’ history.
Accessibility is also a key feature of the Timeline. The exhibit includes an accessibility feature similar to the Artifact Explorer. All interactive areas are shifted downward for easy reach, and buttons for accessing video, audio, and images are also located lower on the screen. This feature ensures that all visitors are able to fully engage with the exhibit and learn about National Instruments’ history and development.
