Ohio State’s Department of Design worked with the Columbus Historical Society to create an interactive exhibit in the organization’s new space at COSI, a hands-on science center in downtown Columbus, Ohio.

The technology-driven exhibit was unveiled in February 2012 as part of the Columbus Bicentennial celebration.

Jeff Haase, Associate Professor of Design, Matt Lewis, Graphics Research Specialist at ACCAD, and David Staley, Director of the Goldberg Center in the Department of History, worked with students in the department’s interdisciplinary graduate studio throughout fall quarter to create two features:

• An interactive game – based on motion capture technology – quizzes children and families about Columbus history in an engaging and fun way. An Xbox360 camera and numbered floor tiles let visitors “choose” answers to questions, and get “graded” on their knowledge of the city. Three of these educational games are installed around the exhibition space.

• A looping video depicts a visual collage of the history of Columbus, its architectural evolution, and people and places.