Mimi Jiao Looking Outwards 1

Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum’s Pen system was the first time I became actively aware of the design of the museum itself. By implementing its pen throughout the museum, it brings technology into a museum setting, and enriches and extends the overall experience.

The project was commissioned by Cooper Hewitt to implement visitor technology. Many teams, both domestic and international, including Local Projects and Sistelnetworks, were involved in the making of the pen. Designers as well as engineers, computer scientists, and manufacturers helped bring this to reality. To my knowledge, the technology used did not use much off-the-shelves software. The pen operates based on an embedded sensor that reads NFC tags throughout the museum. This technology is available the general public and is available on Android phones and many other products.

The Cooper Hewitt focuses on current and upcoming designed artifacts, with many exhibitions showcasing works that integrate technology and coding with the product/experience. By introducing this pen, that aspect of Cooper Hewitt’s identity is reinforced. In addition, it adds a playfulness to the experience, making it friendly for kids and adults alike. The part that impressed me the most about this design is that it brings power to the user and gives them the opportunity to revisit the museum remotely. Peripheral to the pen, interactive screens on tables were also implemented to push visitors to be become more hands on with design. These screens allowed people to design their own objects, giving them the freedom to manipulate form, material, context, and color. It has brought museum-going into the digital dimension, and has set a precedent for this type of experience.

For more information, visit Cooper Hewitt