hello, world!

Interactive exhibit built to promote community and connection.

C O M P A N Y

AIA Seattle

T E A M

Isabella Ceriale, Isabella Gaule, Sophia Johnson, Peyton Todd, Charmaine Yabut

L O C A T I O N

Seattle, WA

R O L E S

User Research, Interaction Design, Industrial Design, Exhibition Design, Exhibitor

D E S C R I P T I O N

I collaborated with four students from UW's School of Design to create "hello, world!", an interactive exhibit designed to foster community reconnection in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through three engaging workstations, we invited visitors to share their personal stories, wisdom, and creativity with others. The exhibit was featured in the 2021 Seattle Design Festival and Jacob Lawrence Gallery.

Project Background

There’s no denying that COVID-19 has profoundly impacted communities worldwide. In Seattle alone, the University of Washington Medical Center reports that 40% of the population now struggles with feelings of loneliness, emphasizing the urgent need for initiatives that foster reconnection and support. Recognizing this critical issue, we developed "hello, world!" as a response to these community needs. Our aim was to create an interactive and engaging exhibit that not only addressed the emotional toll of the pandemic but also provided a platform for individuals to share their experiences, reflections, and wisdoms. By promoting personal storytelling and collaborative expression, we sought to help rebuild the social fabric of our community, paving the way to move forth and emerge.

Design Goals

Community Reconnection

We wanted to create a environment that encourages community community memebers to share their own stories and bond through shared experiences.

Safety and Accessibility

We strived to provide a safe, thoughtful, and inclusive space for all visitors to enjoy, ensuring that everyone felt welcome and comfortable participating.

Sustainable Practices

We sought to utilize repurposed materials throught the exhibit, including house-made paper and donated pens, to promote greener practices while reducing our carbon footprint.

User Research

User Surveys: Informed by a deep commitment to understanding and empathizing with our stakeholder’s and attendee’s needs, we conducted online surveys with over 70 members of the Seattle community. The survey aimed at guaging their feelings about isolation, community engagement, and preferences for interactive experiences. We asked several questions about the effects of the pandemic, along with what they would need going forward.

Key Findings

  • High Demand for Connection: 82% of respondents expressed that social connection is something that they felt they needed, highlighting the importance of connection.

  • Value of Storytelling: 80% of those surveyed identified storytelling as a powerful tool for healing, with more than 43% wanting to share their personal narratives to foster understanding and empathy.

  • Creative Expression: 90% of surveyors showed enthusiasm for opportunities to engage in creative activities, indicating that art and expression could help alleviate feelings of isolation.

  • Support for Collaborative Experiences: When asking what “emerge” means, over 50% of answers described it as becoming a part of something bigger than oneself, alluding to the importance of community.

Ideation & Prototyping

Working alongside fellow design students and mentors from AIA Seattle, we held several co-design workshops to utilize user research and brainstorm various concepts and iterate on ideas.

We moved forward with the idea of building three separate workstations for visitors to use, each displaying their own form of creative storytelling and community engagement.

Workstation Design: Each of the three stations was designed to be inviting, intuitive, and colorful.

  1. Pin-Up Board: A space for individuals to create and leave letters for themselves or others, promoting self-reflection and connection.

  2. Wisdom Tokens Display: Visitors could jot down advice or insights to share with the community, fostering a sense of collective support.

  3. Collaborative Chalkboard: An area for artistic expression, encouraging participants to create shared works of art, reflecting their thoughts and emotions.

Installation & Launch

“hello, world!” was launched at the 2021 Seattle Design Festival at Lake Union Park in Seattle, where it attracted over 4,000 visitors. The exhibit was enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

At each station of “hello, world!”, festival-goers would view the following prompts:

  • Write: In this past year, what have you lost? What have you found?

  • Draw: How would you visualize emergence?

  • Reflect: What have you learned about yourself this year?

  • Advise: What helped you emerge from hardships in this past year?

Impact & Reflection

"hello, world!" shows the impact and importance that empathy and storytelling hold in fostering connection. After visiting the installation, over 85% of participants reported a new sense of belonging within their community. The positive feedback reinforced the installation’s role in helping individuals process, reflect upon, and share their feelings and experiences within a post-pandemic world.

Jacob Lawrence Gallery

Following the festival, “hello, world!” was featured at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery in Seattle. Visited by thousands more, the exhibit continued to highlight the power of shared experiences and the importance of community.

Thank you to the “hello, world!” team, donors, mentors, Seattle Design Festival, and Jacob Lawrence Gallery.