From You To Nature: Designing an interactive installation to encourage reflection on biodiversity and human impact at Naturalis Museum
P. Torntham (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
M.A. Gielen – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
A.P.O.S. Vermeeren – Mentor (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
Pieter Aartsen – Mentor (Naturalis Biodiversity Center)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
This project addresses a critical gap in public understanding: while many museum visitors are aware of environmental challenges, they often lack a deep comprehension of the biodiversity crisis and their personal role in mitigating it. To bridge this gap, this thesis focuses on designing an interactive museum installation for the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. This installation is an interactive experience that guides families through relatable daily scenarios, connecting their everyday behaviors to visible impacts on local biodiversity through cumulative visual feedback on a miniature neighborhood model.
Grounded in Transformative Experience Design Theory (TED) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the research employed a mixed-methods approach, including literature review, stakeholder and expert interviews, a co-creation session with Naturalis staff, and a context mapping study with families and children aged 9-12.
An iterative design process led to the development and testing of a prototype with seven family groups. Key findings revealed a "right vs. wrong" effect during gameplay, with children often approaching the experience as a quiz rather than an open exploration of behaviors. Differences in learning gains were observed between families with varying levels of prior environmental awareness. Despite these challenges, testing confirmed the installation's strong potential to encourage visitors to recognize the environmental consequences of their daily choices, prompting reflection and willingness to make small changes.
The project concludes with recommendations for refining the installation, including adjusting moral framing, increasing scenario complexity, and enhancing opportunities for long-term engagement. Broader strategic recommendations aim to strengthen emotional impact, expand educational applications, and better integrate the installation within the museum's mission to inspire care for nature.