This graduation thesis presents the design concept Echoes of Sand, and the design process to achieve it. For this work the design goal was to ‘Design an interactive experience, as an introduction at Museum Tot Zover’s entrance corridor, to make adult visitors aware of their
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This graduation thesis presents the design concept Echoes of Sand, and the design process to achieve it. For this work the design goal was to ‘Design an interactive experience, as an introduction at Museum Tot Zover’s entrance corridor, to make adult visitors aware of their physical mortality and reflect on this.’ Tot Zover is a museum in Amsterdam, as well as a knowledge centre about death and death rituals. They know that many people have questions about death and like to share thoughts and experiences around the topic. Tot Zover stimulates people to learn and reflect on mortality and life. The museum’s core values are to educate, inspire and emotionally touch their visitors and to do this in a lovingly (liefdevol), light-hearted (luchtig) matter and with courage (lef).
Relevant research showed that death has become less visible in daily life. Discussing the topic and understanding what death can mean to you personally can intensify life. Illiteracy around or lack of education on death can cause people to create false illusions around or denial of death. Worldwide, museums are becoming centres of experiences. Interactive and participatory designs in museums create a serious role for visitors that goes beyond visiting and attending. By designing participatory exhibits museums can connect to present life.
The Double Diamond Process (Design Council, 2024a) has inspired the structure of the design process. It values iteration, collaboration & co-creation, clear communication and human centred design.
Different human centred approaches and methods, such as visitor interviews, context mapping session, co-design and prototype testing have been employed to understand the boundaries of this design goal and find a fitting design direction. Four archetypes of visitors were identified, forming the target group. Ideas have been developed into four concept ideas, which resulted in the final design concept of this work: Echoes of Sand.
Echoes of Sand’s core element to trigger awareness of physical mortality is a round table, where visitors can write their name in sand. Their name slowly disappears because of a rotating arm in the middle of the table. This arm creates a repetitive pattern of circles, which represents the circle of life, the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The visitor is guided by a meditative voice to interact with the sand table and to write down their thoughts and feelings. Their words can be shared with other visitors to share perspectives, find comfort and spark inspiration. After sharing words, visitors can translate their reflections into a wish before continuing their museum visit towards the permanent exhibition on the dying phase of life and the rest of the museum. The design aims to be personal, guiding and caring and creating a layered reflection after inviting the user. Echoes of Sand connects visitors to their physical mortality, brings them into a receptive mood and introduces the museum’s theme and the rest of the visit.
