ENCAGED
Speculative+ Interactive Archives
@Tin Sheds Gallery
Tool
Figma
Adobe Photoshop
Rhino
Adobe Premier
Year
2023
Category
User Experience
Team
SALLY FANG
XINYU MA
JUNYU YAO
MIRANDA LI
Role
UX UI designer
Model designer
The brief
“How can speculative design and futuring help us to engage with the archives and possible futures of galleries?”
This course explores creative interventions in gallery archives using speculative design and futuring. Students will design interactive systems to engage with gallery histories and futures, emphasising ethical archival interactions. Through a major project, participants will enhance their interaction design skills, working collaboratively to research, design, and prototype a concept for the Tin Sheds Gallery. The project aims to make audiences active participants in the gallery’s ongoing story.
For the major project, students will design and prototype an interactive concept for the Tin Sheds Gallery, engaging audiences with its past, present, and future. The project aims to make audiences active participants in the gallery’s ongoing story, fostering innovative, ethical interactions with archives.
The primary objective of the "Interactive Archives for Human Rights" project is to design an engaging interactive system that connects visitors with the archives and potential futures of the Tin Sheds Gallery.
The goals are to enhance visitor interaction with the archives through symbolic elements like locks and keys, and to bridge the past, present, and future of human rights discussions. The design aims to be simple, feasible, and accessible to both on-site and remote visitors, promoting inclusivity. By using metaphorical elements, the project seeks to evoke empathy and raise awareness of marginalised groups' struggles. It also encourages visitors to contribute and interact with others' comments, fostering a collaborative narrative. Furthermore, the design incorporates and respects Indigenous perspectives, ensuring ethical and inclusive engagement with the archives.
Objective and Goals
Research
Physical Research
History Background
Initially established in 1969 as an autonomous art studio where established artists, students, academics, activists, and art-based political collectives convened to create, TSG underwent a transformation by the end of the 20th century when it initiated a partnership with the University of Sydney and became integrated into coursework as part of Sydney University’s Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Planning (ADP). While TSG is no longer under autonomous student control, it continues to provide a platform for students to showcase their art, which includes architecture models and paintings, to the public. Today, TSG plays a vital role on the university campus, serving as "a physical and intellectual space that contributes to the broader discourse of national and international art, architecture, design, and urbanism," as stated by a university spokesperson.
About Tin Shed
The Tin Sheds Gallery (TSG) comprises six regions (A, B, C, D, E, and F) with three primary entrances: the courtyard, store room, faculty hearth, and City Road Display entrances. The gallery is divided into inner and outer areas, with the outer area accessible via two entrances and the inner area housing the other three.
Despite its relatively compact size, the gallery boasts ample natural lighting, enabling the consistent presentation of exhibitions across different sections. Notably, the outer area is equipped with a projector for video displays on its walls, aligning with the gallery's versatile exhibition capabilities. Both the inner and outer areas are furnished with similar devices, accommodating a diverse range of exhibition and display requirements.
Limitations
Firstly, visitors have varying tour experiences based on their entrance, with Courtyard entrants seeing outer exhibitions first, and City Road entrants seeing inner exhibitions first. Secondly, the constrained space, with only two walls, makes setting up exhibitions challenging and time-consuming for artists. Additionally, there is a lack of clear navigation guidance, making it difficult for visitors to locate their desired exhibitions. Lastly, the absence of proper segmentation leads to artworks of different themes being mixed, potentially causing confusion for visitors and customers encountering multiple disparate exhibitions in the same space.
Background Research
Initially established in 1969 as an autonomous art studio where established artists, students, academics, activists, and art-based political collectives convened to create, TSG underwent a transformation by the end of the 20th century when it initiated a partnership with the University of Sydney and became integrated into coursework as part of Sydney University’s Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Planning (ADP). While TSG is no longer under autonomous student control, it continues to provide a platform for students to showcase their art, which includes architecture models and paintings, to the public. Today, TSG plays a vital role on the university campus, serving as "a physical and intellectual space that contributes to the broader discourse of national and international art, architecture, design, and urbanism," as stated by a university spokesperson.
-
1.Aboriginal Land Rights (1970s-1980s):
The Tin Shed was a hub for politically-oriented poster collectives like the Earthworks Poster Collective, which focused on social issues such as feminism, nuclear concerns, and Aboriginal land rights.
The 1988 exhibition "200 Under the Shade" showcased historical cartoons depicting Aboriginal people over two centuries.
2. Anti-Nuclear (1980s):
The notable 1984 anti-nuclear poster "Pacific without Nuclear Weapons" originated from the Tin Shed Workshop.
The 2022 exhibition "Art and Activism in the Nuclear Age" revisited the ongoing threat of nuclear warfare.
3. Feminism (1975-1990):
The exhibition "Girl in the Tin Shed: Sydney Feminist Posters 1975-1990" curated by Katie Yule at the University of Sydney Art Gallery.
"Girls at the Tin Shed (Duplicated)" curated by Louise R. Mayhew, featured screen prints created by women associated with TSG.
4. The Promise of Housing (2022):
Featured portraits of Aboriginal residents alongside depictions of their homes, highlighting housing issues.
5. Contemporary Themes:
TSG continues to focus on current social issues like climate change, the effects of colonisation on Indigenous Australians, and gender diversity.
Recent exhibitions also explore the integration of technology in art, such as AI-generated artworks and digital media.
6. Speculative and Interdisciplinary Works:
Emphasis on speculative design and interdisciplinary collaborations, showcasing the intersection of art with science, literature, and technology.
Audience Research
The current audience of Tin Sheds Gallery (TSG) includes university students, art enthusiasts, community members, and cultural seekers. Initially established for Architecture department students, TSG has expanded its reach to include students from various disciplines, external visitors, and art enthusiasts. The gallery aims to create an inclusive and welcoming environment, offering thought-provoking and engaging experiences that inspire conversations and self-reflection. TSG supports contemporary art practices, cultural diversity, human rights, and interdisciplinary collaborations, appealing to a diverse and evolving audience.
TSG engages its audience through multiple channels, including its website, which provides detailed information about past and current exhibitions and serves as an informative hub for archival exploration. The gallery maintains an active social media presence on platforms like Facebook, interacting with audiences and disseminating updates, events, and engaging content. Onsite visits allow for direct interaction with exhibitions, participation in workshops, events, and guided tours. Additionally, TSG relies on word-of-mouth and referrals from friends, family, and peers, leveraging strong community ties to grow its audience.
Speculative Design Methodologies
Utilise speculative design methodologies such as TimeScape, Double Variable, and STEEPLE analysis to examine pivotal moments in human rights history and explore possible futures. Analyse the intersection of human rights progression and technological advancements to speculate on potential future scenarios for TSG.
TimeScape
STEEPLE Analysis
Double Variables Method
Scenario Analysis
Develop future scenarios based on the twin drivers of technological development and human rights progress. Evaluate these scenarios for their impact on TSG’s role in promoting equality and inclusion through innovative artistic presentations.
The future scenario we have chosen is based on human rights progression worldwide and technological advancement in TSG. In this scenario, TSG becomes a centre for representing equality and inclusivity, shaped by social, technological factors and more. This dynamic environment enables TSG to explore innovative presentation methods and immersive art experiences, driven by the ongoing technology boom, plausibly the advancements in virtual reality and artificial intelligence. Factors such as economic stability and growth stemming from philanthropic contributions and cultural grants, influenced by global economic trends, could in turn bolster TSG's financial capacity and artistic endeavours. Its possible commitment to sustainability could align with societal expectations and environmental considerations, attracting eco- conscious audiences. Moreover, strong political support and favourable policies could further elevate TSG's role as a catalyst for social change. As legal complexities arise at the intersection of technology and rights, TSG has to ensure compliance with copyright and data privacy regulations. Ethical considerations encompass diverse representation and equitable access, aligning with evolving ethical discourse shaped by progressing human rights movements, enhancing TSG’s reputation and fostering community engagement.
Interpretation of the brief
In this future, TSG is will play a significant role in advancing human rights development. As it is important to safeguard the past, present, and future advancements, TSG will function as a dynamic repository, enabling visitors to gain profound insights into the evolution of human rights in diverse societal settings, while also serving as an interactive platform for diverse users to exchange ideas. Moreover, our design aims to provoke contemplation about the future of human rights development and facilitate user engagement with the archives and potential future galleries.
Design Vision
Our design prototype aims to be accessible to a wide audience interested in human rights issues. Therefore, in developing the concept, we have prioritised the following aspects:
Facilitating interaction between on-site and remote visitors with the archive, fostering a connection for all viewers with the archive.
Encouraging interaction between visitors and the archives, as well as creating a link between the past, present, and future
Focusing on simplicity, feasibility, and accessibility in the prototype design.
Conducting a thorough examination of the spatial layout of TSG and venue constraints.
Addressing potential issues in the visitor experience and ensuring a structured and flexible visit.
Designing for future scenarios, enabling visitors to engage in interactive experiences related to the future development of human rights.
Establishing links to TSG's history to help the audience understand its past and ignite their interest in TSG's future.
Design Focus
Concept Overview
This concept addresses the brief by employing symbolism and metaphor to prompt visitors to reflect on human rights issues, the historical backdrop of human rights movements, and the possibilities for change in the future. In doing so, it actively engages with the past, present, and future of the Tin Sheds Gallery archives.
Our concept is centered on the metaphorical elements of cages and locks. Visitors will explore a combination of physical and electronic archives that focus on human rights themes within the Tin Sheds Gallery. By sharing their thoughts about the archives on locks, they are able to interact with both in-person and remote audiences with the comments. Similarly, by interacting with the AI robot in the Discussion Cage, visitors will be able to contribute to the future of the gallery. On the other hand, the cage-like structure of the design allows visitors to feel more deeply about the archives. This, in turn, creates a more extensive engagement between the visitors and the archives.
Symbolism
Cages in a human rights exhibition symbolise the profound feelings of confinement, oppression, dehumanisation, and marginalisation experienced by minorities in their quest for equal rights. They evoke a visceral emotional response, fostering empathy and awareness about the urgent need for human rights advocacy.
Locks symbolise the safeguarding of fundamental rights, while keys represent liberation. By engaging in an abstract interactive experience where visitors contribute their support and thoughts by leaving messages on the locks, they are symbolically ensuring the preservation of this progress. Similarly, by unlocking the door of the cage to a futuristic space (depicted by the robot), they unlock a liberated, equal future.
Iteration
Our early concept, "Human in Cage," envisions the year 2050, where technology and human rights movements are at their peak. The Tin Shed Gallery (TSG) reimagines traditional archive rooms using cages to symbolize historical oppression, aiming to evoke empathy. Each cage displays archives on specific topics, using brain chip technology to let visitors experience the emotions of those depicted.
Inspired by this, we created "Encaged," a speculative space for the present "Encaged" invites visitors into cage-like exhibition spaces for a 4D experience, engaging all senses. This immersive approach aims to deepen understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented groups, fostering a lasting and impactful learning experience.
Initial idea
Iteration 2
The prototype utilised for testing comprises five cages, serving as symbolic representations of historical oppression experienced during various human rights movements. Each cage symbolises a different suppressed group in history, such as those fighting for LGBTQ rights. Within each cage, visitors have access to an extensive collection of archives pertaining to the respective group, along with the option to engage with an AI robot for additional information.
The design of the cages aims to evoke a sense of confinement, mirroring the oppression that these marginalised groups endured before their respective movements. Additionally, the use of scent within the design creates a multi-sensory experience, enhancing emotional engagement and reinforcing the intended educational and empathetic impact.Located in the corner of the exhibit is a black cage designated for discussions, allowing users to interact directly with an AI robot to share their thoughts on the archives. These conversations are archived to establish a connection to the future of TSG.
User testing
User testing for the "Interactive Archives for Human Rights" project involved role-playing, the think-aloud protocol, SUS forms, and interviews to evaluate the prototype's usability and gather feedback. Participants highlighted a lack of interaction with other users and the AI guide, and found the multiple cages repetitive, though visually appealing. Initial confusion about navigation was also noted. Based on this feedback, enhancements were made to improve user interaction with interactive comment features, diversify the visual environment, and simplify navigation. These changes aimed to create a more engaging, varied, and emotionally impactful experience for visitors.
Design.
Physical Space Design
Digital interface Design
Desktop Version
Mobile Version
It shows how online and offline visitors can interact with the archive inside Tin Sheds Gallery in real time through our design and upload their views.
Reflection.
Reflecting on the "Interactive Archives for Human Rights" project, I learned the importance of user-centered design and iterative improvements. The initial concept aimed to evoke empathy through immersive experiences, and user feedback was crucial in refining our approach. Addressing issues like lack of interaction and repetitive elements, we introduced more engaging features and diversified the exhibition environment. This process underscored the value of incorporating diverse perspectives and continuously adapting based on user input. The project not only enhanced my skills in speculative design and prototyping but also deepened my understanding of how technology can be leveraged to promote human rights and social justice. Moving forward, I aim to apply these insights to create more inclusive and impactful designs.