National Waterways Museum

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DJW together with project designers Haley Sharpe recently undertook the renovation of several existing displays at The National Waterways Museum, Gloucester Docks. DJW was asked to produce a series of interactives including games, interactive questionnaires and an information database.

One of the touchscreen interactives designed by DJW was the "Canal Share Option Scheme". This game allows visitors to buy and sell shares in canal companies between 1790 and 1880, teaching them about the history of the canal business.

DJW set up five different display kiosks, first the log-in point where visitors enter their details and are given instructions on how to play the game, then one kiosk for each of the four time zones. Using the historical information given at each zone, the visitor must decide how best to trade their shares.

DJW also produced a database to contain extensive information about the UK canal network. For each piece of information in the database, DJW designed a touchscreen information point with scrolling text and illustrations as well as options for videos, maps, a glossary and other canal information.

DJW designed an interactive to demonstrate the structure and function of a working lock. Using touch screen controls, the visitor is asked to direct a canal boat through a lock. Visitors must work out for themselves in which order to operate the various options which control the lock gates and water levels.

Another touchscreen interactive was designed by DJW to explore the traditional decoration of canal barges. The visitor is given a plain canal boat and a selection of colours to paint it with. There are a series of options to add traditional patterns to the cabin panels and even to give the barge a name. The final design will be personal to each visitor.

DJW Mini Interactive: Castles & Roses
This is a scaled down version of the actual interactive which is on display in the National Waterways Museum.

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