Okay Real Estate
Rabobank Vista
Het Nationaal Archief
About me
Client: Het Nationaal Archief
Role: UX/UI Designer & Service Designer
Duration: 5 months
Tools:Figma, Adobe Suite, Midjourney
Het Nationaal Archief planned to launch a exhibition In February 2023. This exhibition featured maps that reflected the worldview from the colonial period.
So their goal was to bring these maps to a younger audience, to not only interest this group, but also to educate and raise awareness on their prejudices and racist undertones.
https://www.figma.com/proto/nX0I9SbDDyhCn3llFtF1uN/Untitled?page-id=0%3A1&node-id=37-5716&node-type=frame&viewport=781%2C-635%2C0.06&t=PU0yYFoIO7O3ejn2-1&scaling=contain&content-scaling=fixed
Prototype
https://www.figma.com/proto/Q3ylrzHxMOLsy9tJIRFwfH/Design-file?node-id=2474%3A6581&scaling=min-zoom&page-id=2333%3A5945&starting-point-node-id=2474%3A6581
The Challenge
Developing a solution for this goal presented a multifaceted challenge that involved addressing several key issues. Some of the challenges we considered in this case study were:
- Which information to show to a younger audience and how.
- A target audience with different political views.
- Biased viewpoints that could be seen as negative.
- Information availability on the chosen subject.
Specifically, the project needed to highlight the stories of individuals like Jacob Matroos and Jacob Beeldsnyder, connecting locations in Amsterdam and Suriname linked to the colonial era. We aimed to develop a digital platform using augmented reality (AR) to bring this history to life, ensuring it was both informative and engaging. The primary challenge was presenting this complex historical content in an interactive and accessible way for a broad audience, while also encouraging exploration and retention.
Research
In the research and discovery phase, we conducted thorough historical research to ensure accuracy and relevance in our storytelling. This included:
- Historical Research: We researched significant locations in Amsterdam tied to the colonial past, such as the Oude Kerk, and connected them to relevant figures like Jacob Matroos and Jacob Beeldsnyder.
- User Research: Surveys and interviews were conducted with the target audience, including students and curious learners. The research focused on understanding how they engaged with historical content and what motivated them to explore.
- Technology Exploration: We explored the potential of augmented reality (AR) and mobile navigation tools to create a seamless user experience. Our goal was to make the technology accessible to a broad audience, including those unfamiliar with AR.
Project Objectives
The main objectives of the project were to:
- Create an Engaging User Experience: Use familiar ways to provide users with an immersive historical tour of key locations in Amsterdam.
- Educate and Inform: Highlight lesser-known historical facts about the colonial era and its impact, especially on the lives of those affected, such as Jacob Matroos and Jacob Beeldsnyder.
- Foster Engagement: Encourage users to visit multiple locations, interact with the content, and test their knowledge through quizzes.
- Reward Engagement: Incorporate gamification elements to reward users with virtual and real-world incentives, such as tickets to exhibitions at the National Archive.
The Result
The final product was a conceptual AR-based mobile experience that allowed users to explore historical locations in Amsterdam linked to the colonial era. Key outcomes included:- Positive Impact on Awareness: The project successfully highlighted often overlooked aspects of history, encouraging users to reflect on the impact of the colonial past on the present day.
- Het Nationaal Archief was positive about the solution we created. It not only highlighted our shared history, but it also offered new perspectives.