THREADS
A digital Storytelling multi-stage installation on Industrial Heritage
The THREADS interactive system works as an informative installation, installed in a renewed textile industry building. The aim has been to assist the soon-to-be-opened cultural venue, which will hold a permanent exhibition of textile machinery, products, and employment artifacts, and will promote heritage tourism.
Our main design focus has been to raise cultural heritage awareness about the textile firm’s past significance. THREADS utilizes basic storytelling techniques to inform and sensitize visitors regarding the cultural heritage of the textile firm.
The four-station system is installed across from the physical artifacts, allowing a mental connection with the digital plot points and challenges. The storyline starts with the visitor entering the (virtual) factory (station 1) and being welcomed as a candidate worker.
The challenge is to go through the production steps (next 3 stations) for the employer to see which is the most appropriate for them to get hired for. The stations challenge the design, coding and repairing abilities of the user, referencing a fabric’s design process (station 2), it's break down to binary code (station 3), and the repairing of a weaving machine (Jacquard Loom) (station 4).
Through role assignment, visitors are encouraged to learn key historical facts in an engaging manner, making it possible to emotionally connect with the textile factory’s behold cultural heritage.
