SOFTlab
Interactive art connecting visitors with Lincoln Motors
As a designer at SOFTlab, I worked on Nautilus, an interactive and responsive installation commissioned by Lincoln Motors and The Atlantic. I led a team of 6 people to build and install over 100 touch and sound responsive poles. Located at Pier 17 in Manhattan’s Seaport District, 95 touch-activated poles emit sound and light. Simultaneous interactions with the installation’s poles create a symphony of sounds and a field of glinting lights. The installation acts as a large reactive network symbolizing the collective spirit of visitors and representing the power of community. The end result was increased visitor foot-traffic and an impactful social media presence, attracting new visitors to the site.
Role
designer
assembly manager
Team
SOFTlab founder
project manager
2 designers
2 design technologists
4 installation contractors
Timeline
May - September 2019
5 months
Tools
Rhino 3D
Adobe Illustrator
laser cutting
3D printing
How might we create an immersive experience that embodies the brand essence of Lincoln vehicles?
Increased social media presence and foot-traffic to the Pier 17 site with visitors interacting with the art and connecting with the Lincoln brand.
The installation is dynamic and reactive to users and the site. On each pole, touch-activated sensors embedded in an anodized aluminum cuff lights up when touched. Speakers at the top of each pole are responsive and emit a sound when noise is detected. Colored acrylic panels filter views and cast multi-colored shadows on the ground.
Prototyping and material testing were conducted prior to pole construction, using both off-the-shelf and custom parts. Collaborating closely with design and engineering, I used 3D software for digital fabrication and conducted material tests to ensure their durability.
Pole components included custom bent metal brackets, powder-coated steel, anodized aluminum, frosted acrylic tubes, and 3D printed connective joints. I designed a jig to aid the efficient and consistent assembly of over 100 poles.
The installation involved several on-site tasks such as installing raised floors, arranging computers and electrical equipment, mounting the poles on the floorboards, and testing the electrical work. The on-site installation required organization, adaptability to unforeseen obstacles, and efficient planning.
The project success resulted in a strong social media presence, increasing brand and product recognition for both Lincoln Motors and SOFTlab.
Besides supporting the business objectives of Lincoln Motors and The Atlantic, a successful installation was advantageous for SOFTlab's business goals as well. This increased visibility led to new clients and future projects for the studio.
I led newer team members by setting an example through teaching, using humor, and maintaining a positive attitude, all of which helped to alleviate stress and foster camaraderie. With a tight timeline of 5 days to complete installation construction, an unexpected rainstorm hindered our progress, forcing us to abandon outdoor work for safety reasons. I swiftly pivoted our efforts towards indoor tasks, such as teaching others how to build parts using my established systems.
Although extensive prototyping and testing were conducted within the studio, user behavior was not as deeply explored. Therefore, some user behaviors were not anticipated. Conducting user testing on-site or in a similar context could have assisted in the implementation of solutions that accounted for realistic user behavior towards the installation. To enhance the design of future projects, I would have also developed project success metrics and planned strategies to gather those metrics.
