HISTORY HUB

HISTORY HUB

HISTORY HUB

HISTORY HUB

Client

Master's Assesment

Sector

UX Design

Year

2023

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History Hub: Bringing the Past to Life

The Meadows Park has a rich history, yet visitors had no structured way to explore it. Faded plaques and scattered engravings did little to tell its story. Many people were curious but lacked an engaging way to connect with its heritage.

History Hub was designed as an interactive kiosk to make historical storytelling immersive and accessible. Instead of relying on an app or website that could be a distraction, the kiosk allowed visitors to engage with history directly in the park.

My Role

As the sole designer, I handled research, wire-framing, prototyping, and usability testing. Unlike typical digital interfaces, designing for a physical on-site experience required unique considerations.

This university project had to be tied to The Meadows Park due to our campus location. The goal was to create a self-sufficient and intuitive system that made historical exploration seamless for all visitors.

Understanding the Visitors

I conducted six interviews with tourists, locals, runners, and history enthusiasts to understand their awareness of the park’s history. Many had little knowledge and rarely noticed the existing plaques.

A key insight was that the park attracted many international visitors, which I had not initially considered. This led to multilingual support becoming a necessary feature.

I also studied existing digital displays across Edinburgh, including those at Princes Street, Waverley Station, and St. James Quarter, to draw inspiration for an interactive and engaging experience.

Defining the Solution

History Hub needed to be more than just digital plaques. A kiosk provided a distraction-free, location-based experience, guiding visitors through history as they explored the park.

The core features included a chronological journey of the park’s history, multilingual support, and rare historical archives with images and videos not widely available.

Defining the Solution

History Hub needed to be more than just digital plaques. A kiosk provided a distraction-free, location-based experience, guiding visitors through history as they explored the park.

The core features included a chronological journey of the park’s history, multilingual support, and rare historical archives with images and videos not widely available.

Understanding the Visitors

I conducted six interviews with tourists, locals, runners, and history enthusiasts to understand their awareness of the park’s history. Many had little knowledge and rarely noticed the existing plaques.

A key insight was that the park attracted many international visitors, which I had not initially considered. This led to multilingual support becoming a necessary feature.

I also studied existing digital displays across Edinburgh, including those at Princes Street, Waverley Station, and St. James Quarter, to draw inspiration for an interactive and engaging experience.

Designing for a Kiosk

Unlike apps and websites, kiosk design lacked established user interface references, making content structuring a challenge. Visitors needed an intuitive, touch-friendly interface with clear navigation.

Usability testing showed that standard app navigation patterns did not work. For example, a back button placed in the top left corner was difficult to reach for shorter users and those in wheelchairs, so I replaced it with a left-swipe gesture to improve accessibility.

Refining Through Testing

Testing a kiosk was different from testing an app. Real-world size and interaction had to be considered, with larger touch targets for ease of use. Users also expected real-world guidance, leading me to refine the interactive map so digital content connected with physical landmarks.

The multilingual feature became an essential improvement after realising that a diverse group of visitors used the park. This made the experience more inclusive and accessible.

A New Way to Explore History

History Hub turns historical storytelling into an interactive journey. Unlike static plaques, it creates a self-guided experience that helps visitors connect with the park’s past in a more engaging way.

Lessons Learned

This project challenged me to think beyond standard digital design. Unlike websites or apps, kiosks required designing for public and instant interactions. I learned that testing beyond the screen is crucial, as what works in a prototype may not work in a real-world setting.

The importance of user-driven decisions became clear. Features like multilingual support and gesture-based navigation were not part of my original plan but became necessary through research.

Designing History Hub helped me develop a problem-solving mindset, adapting to physical, environmental, and accessibility constraints while ensuring a seamless user experience. It reinforced the value of designing beyond screens and creating technology that improves public spaces.


Lessons Learned

This project challenged me to think beyond standard digital design. Unlike websites or apps, kiosks required designing for public and instant interactions. I learned that testing beyond the screen is crucial, as what works in a prototype may not work in a real-world setting.

The importance of user-driven decisions became clear. Features like multilingual support and gesture-based navigation were not part of my original plan but became necessary through research.

Designing History Hub helped me develop a problem-solving mindset, adapting to physical, environmental, and accessibility constraints while ensuring a seamless user experience. It reinforced the value of designing beyond screens and creating technology that improves public spaces.

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