Governing the Nation
Overview
For the National Constitution Center's (NCC) Governing the Nation gallery, Trivium developed a suite of interactives that bring the three branches of government—and the people who fill them—to life. They encourage visitors to dive into the concepts of separation of powers and federalism, and uncover the ways in which the American government functions.
As visitors enter the gallery, they are met with a large sculptural installation that combines 3D models, projected video, and lighting, setting the scene for what's to come once they move into the gallery. Each branch of government has its own section within the gallery along with its own informational touchscreen interactive. Meet Congress, Meet the Presidents, and Meet the Justices introduce the individuals who make up the American government. Visitors can explore facts about their lives and learn about key decisions they have made.
The Executive Branch section of the experience offers visitors a chance to roleplay as the president. Using a touchscreen as well as physical props like a phone, stamp, and stylus, visitors are faced with the many decisions a president encounters daily, and see how these decisions impact the whole country.
The final section of the gallery focuses on federalism, concluding with an interactive projection. Using buttons, a lever, and a spin dial, visitors trigger animations depicting different approaches and real-life examples of federalism.
Approach
Our approach centered on close collaboration with NCC through regular reviews and feedback sessions throughout the project. We had in-office testing, along with prototyping and QA sessions with students to refine usability and ensure the interactives were engaging and fun. We also worked closely with the exhibit design team and fabricators to ensure that digital and physical designs were aligned and that all hardware was accounted for.
DELIVERABLES
- Three Informational Touchscreen Interactives
- One Role Playing Touchscreen Interactive with Physical Elements
- Two Linear Pieces
- Two Web Pages
Outcomes and Impacts
Governing the Nation helps visitors understand the three branches of government, their distinct powers, and how they check and balance one another. Through the interactives, visitors are introduced to key government roles and the individuals who have shaped the country, while also exploring how power is shared between the national government and the states.
COLLABORATORS
- The National Constitution Center
- Luci
- Hadley Exhibits
- Becker and Frondorf
- Elia Architecture
- Two Left Hands
