NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE US ARMY - ADULTS
THE STORY: The National Museum of the US Army (NMUSA) hired us to develop an Experiential Learning Center for their long-awaited museum. When they saw what our team could do, they added a pre-opening video and website, a multi-sensory immersive theater, and Medal of Honor and Congressional Gold Medal experiences to their wish list. The design and fabrication project moved through many phases over several years and changing leadership, with the results being far beyond what the Army thought possible.
MY ROLE: As the Creative Director for each project phase, I led the internal and external creative teams in support of the Army Game Studio. This allowed me to develop the visitor experiences, write and art direct exhibit areas, direct and produce videos and touchscreen interactives, and oversee the design and writing of the pre-opening website.
For the Army Theater, we created a sync-motion seating platform, dynamic lighting, and an audio experience to support a 300-degree surround video that carries the visitor through the Army‘s history based on the Soldiers’ selfless values.
Through informative graphics, videos, and interactive experiences, our Medal of Honor exhibit and garden plaques celebrate the heroic Soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor since its inception during the Civil War. The Nisei Soldiers’ Path to the Congressional Gold Medal exhibit reveals the courage and fortitude of the “Go For Broke” Japanese-American Soldiers of World War Two.
AGENCY: The Scenic Route
300-Degree Surround Theater - Showing “Of Noble Deeds”
THE MEDAL OF HONOR ROOFTOP GARDEN
The outdoor garden overlooks the Museum campus and identifies and honors Army recipients of the nation’s highest award for valor.
MEDAL OF HONOR GARDEN PLAQUES
The nine plaques tell stories of the Medal of Honor‘s history, aligning with the three garden sections - Courage, Valor, and Intrepidity.
MEDAL OF HONOR GARDEN PLAQUE DETAIL
The plaques are engraved in stainless steel. Each has a Soldier‘s Story at the bottom that aligns with the theme of the area.
THE MEDAL OF HONOR EXPERIENCE AREA
The exhibit exists in the vestibule leading to the garden. The Museum was honored to have Ray Kapaun (seen here) present his Uncle Emil Kapaun's Medal of Honor for temporary display as part of the Experience.
THE WHAT WOULD YOU DO? INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
The kiosk is home to a thought-provoking experience that lets visitors walk a mile in a Soldier‘s boots. The actions that each Soldier took that led to their Medal of Honor are the basis of the experiences.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? SELECTION SCREEN
The visitor chooses from one of five recipients from diverse backgrounds and eras.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? INTERACTIVE SOLDIER INTRODUCTION
The visitor learns about the Soldier‘s background and era.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? PRELUDE TO ACTION
The visitor learns about the situation the Soldier faced that led to the awarded action.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? MISSION CONTEXT
The context now complete, the visitor can start the mission with full knowledge of the aspects of the real-life situation
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? DECISION POINT
At several points in each Soldier‘s sequence of events, the visitor is confronted with the moment of truth when they must decide what to do next.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? CHOICE SCREEN
Three options are presented, each within reason. The visitor taps their choice and the outcome is revealed. The Soldier‘s decision is revealed and the experience continues.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? OUTCOME SCREEN
The awarding of the Medal of Honor is a sacred moment for the Soldier and/or the surviving family.
MEDAL OF HONOR FACTS AND FAQS GRAPHIC PANEL
Surprising and entertaining tidbits are shown in this informative chronological display.
INTERACTIVE MEDAL OF HONOR TIMELINE
The timeline starts with establishment of the Medal of Honor by President Lincoln during the Civil War.
INTERACTIVE TIMELINE COMMUNICATION LEVELS
Four lines of communication allow the visitor to take in information and context easily. The era‘s president, current conflict, highlighted event or evolution, and smaller factoid are all available.
INTERACTIVE TIMELINE PROGRESSION
The visitor can jump to any era by tapping the time-span in the footer. All controls are available at wheelchair-height by tapping the The International Symbol of Access.
INTERACTIVE TIMELINE DETAIL
Tapping on any highlighted item opens a detail screen giving deeper information about that entry. Tapping the Medal of Honor recipient section brings up their citation text and information.
INTERACTIVE TIMELINE DETAIL
Entries with multiple aspects of conflict information and/or recipient citations provide access through a deeper level of embedded interactive touch points.
NISEI SOLDIER CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL EXHIBIT
Honoring the Japanese American World War II Soldiers who fought in the service of the United States, this exhibit is in one of the vestibules leading to the Medal of Honor Garden.
VETERANS VISITING THE NISEI SOLDIER EXHIBIT
Japanese American Soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442d Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service, collectively known as “Go for Broke,” were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2011.
NISEI SOLDIER DISPLAY CASE
The custom display case holds several historic artifacts belonging to members of the Go For Broke Soldiers. Their stories come to life in the accompanying interactive experience.
ARTIFACT STORIES INTERACTIVE OPENING SCREEN
This interactive tells the Nisei Soldiers‘ stories of the artifacts in display case next to the interactive kiosk.
ARTIFACT STORIES INTERACTIVE SOLDIER INTRODUCTION
The visitor meets the Soldier whose artifact resides in the nearby case. The story unfolds as the visitor scrolls to the left.
ARTIFACT STORIES INTERACTIVE DETAIL
Photographs and drawings add context to the Soldier‘s service life.
ARTIFACT STORY INTERACTIVE
Most of the stories follow the Soldier beyond their service life.
PATH TO THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL GRAPHIC PANEL
Each era of the evolution of the Nisei Soldier is described along with historic photographs.
TWO FRONT WAR INTERACTIVE OPENING SCREEN
A living history video introduces the visitor to the Nisei Soldier‘s unique plight of being at war in the Pacific and European theaters, but also dealing with anti-Japanese American sentiments at home with other Americans.
TWO FRONT WAR INTERACTIVE MAP
Visitors choose a historic battle to explore. The European War map and the War at Home video can also be accessed from this screen.
TWO FRONT WAR INTERACTIVE SELECTION
Choosing a battle region brings up a short description of the Nisei Soldier's participation in that theater
TWO FRONT WAR INTERACTIVE IMAGE GALLERY
Historic photographs and descriptions add a deeper level of storytelling.
Pre-opening Promotional Video
Pre-opening Web Site
