TECHNICIANS GALLERY

“Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery” is an extraordinary exhibition at the London Science Museum aimed at ages 11 to 16. This exhibition allows visitors to explore all kinds of technical professions. YIPP provided five interactive games for this new, permanent exhibition, which opened in October 2022.

Prototypes, user tests, and collaborating with experts
Before YIPP was asked to participate in this exhibition, the museum worked on a number of concepts for us to elaborate on. We participated in the design, production, installation, and ongoing service of the games. The museum collaborated with various industry partners for each of the four zones, which in turn are divided per subject. That meant we had access to different experts for each of the games: a robotics production expert, ROV Remotely Operated Vehicle) drivers, and even Disney lighting technicians! Having digital content calls with these experts was extremely helpful and made a world of difference to the end result of the exhibition.

We designed three unique prototypes for each of the five games. The museum then performed user tests for each of the three prototypes, providing feedback after each phase. As the corona pandemic affected our travel plans to the United Kingdom, we needed to adjust and work closely with the museum to test the prototypes.

Accessible games with physical attributes
When it comes to accessibility, YIPP shares a vision of full commitment with the London Science Museum. That means we were able to really emphasise accessibility while designing the five games. Both in the UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience).
1. In the ROV game, visitors use two joysticks to drive a remote-controlled vehicle across a beautifully designed ocean. Remove boulders from the seabed to make way for a cable to an offshore wind farm; 2. Taking the role of welder, visitors try out different types of welding to see which one will work on a rollercoaster. As you work with a controller shaped like a welding torch, the rollercoaster thunders overhead; 3. Always wanted to learn CAD (Computed Aided Design)? This technical game challenges you to design a working wind turbine blade in CAD; 4. Wall-E is that you? In this waste-sorting game, you become the programmer. Add your code and see a functioning robotic arm run your program and sort the museum’s waste; 5. Lights, camera, action! In this interactive, you become a lighting technician on a film set, installing the lights according to the director’s notes. Once your setup is done it’s time to test it on a real-life filmset: Shuri’s laboratory from the Black Panther films. Wakanda forever!

Educative and interactive design
We really enjoyed adding a physical aspect to our games. The welding torch, joysticks, and large screens for the ROV pilot experience. The robotic arm and waste-sorting setup. Not to mention an actual film set for the lighting technician game. These physical aspects added a layer to these games that really makes them come alive.
The result is a truly interactive exhibition that allows visitors to touch, play with, experience, and discover everything they encounter. The London Science Museum aims to awaken an interest for technical professions in a younger generation.


Want to know more about Technicians Gallery or the London Science Museum or have a similar project in mind that we can help you with? Get in touch with Wouter Verbiest (wouter.verbiest@yipp.nl).