XR CASE STUDY
SPACE CENTER HOUSTON // MISSION : SKETCH
IMMERSIVE INSTALLATION 'MISSION: SKETCH' LAUNCHES AT SPACE CENTER HOUSTON - HANDS ON INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS WITH REAL-WORLD SCIENCE!
[ MOON ]
[ MARS ]
[ EUROPA ]
[ TITAN ]
The expert immersive experience designers at Draw & Code were recruited by Space Center Houston to create a new permanent exhibit that aims to inspire family audiences to take an active interest in the space programme. Mission: Sketch had to be informative and interactive, fostering a connection between visitors to NASA Johnson Space Center who may be learning about these subjects for the first time and upcoming interplanetary missions.
During the years to come there are multiple missions planned around the solar system that could have a positive impact on our lives here on Earth. One of the most important and common questions for the space programme is why we are investing so much time, effort and money in going beyond our own world. Mission: Sketch endeavoured to put the ‘why’ into space exploration in ways that are simple to understand.
Interaction was as important as immersion to the success of the project. This all needed to be as accessible as possible, with a simple way to engage with the experience without needing to be well-versed in technology. Fitting the grand scale of NASA’s work, Mission: Sketch also had to be a large installation designed to transform a key area of the Space Center. This was all done with collaboration with NASA experts, including Houston’s Chief Science Officer and renowned astronaut, Megan McArthur.
Draw & Code were entrusted with the whole design process including spatial design, set design user flow, lighting direction and sound design as well as everything that appeared on the screens. Supported by local teams from SRO and Generations who helped realise the vision from our immersive experience designers, this was to be a creatively and technically ambitious install.
For the visitors, the interactions were designed to be child’s play – literally. Crayons were the medium of choice, with visitors asked to pick up colouring sheets and to create their own custom versions of the craft planned to explore The Moon, Mars, Titan and Europa. Each design station features vibrant 3D recreations of the relevant plants, moons and craft, all fitting the bold design language of Mission: Sketch.
Then a one-touch scan with a hidden camera reads the design and starts a launch sequence on a screen in front of the budding flight directors. This sees their design transformed into 3D and a vibrant animated rocket takes off in front of them. As the launch commences, a huge physical replica of the rocket bells from a SpaceX Raptor pulses with light as the sound of the engines plays. From here, they are directed to look towards the vast projection of the solar system where their craft can be seen as it starts its journey. Each flight also shows up on easy-to-read mission control screens, giving visitors the ability to track their own ship as it ventures further from home.
The install involved Draw & Code’s team setting up shop in Houston Texas for weeks of building and testing. With an excellent support team assembled, the immersive experience designers got to see the space taking shape around them.
Throughput was important, so there are multiple scanning stations and the ability for several rockets to launch into the solar system simultaneously. This was needed as the internal testing gave way to a ‘soft launch’ period that allowed visitors to try Mission: Sketch for themselves. With Space Center Houston being such a beloved visitor attraction, this test period amounted to thousands of people experiencing the exhibit and valuable feedback being collated from them.
It was a joy to see so many visitors, including families and school trips, embracing the exhibit. We even had Houston Dynamo soccer players coming through and designing their own ships – in their team colours of course.
One thing that was apparent was that Mission: Sketch succeeded at engaging guests of all ages in the joys and the intent behind space exploration. We witnessed wonder, giddyness and even the odd tear as families got to share in the marvels of space travel together. What could be more exciting than pushing the boundaries of exploration?
