Bringing History to Life Through Immersive Digital Experiences

Atlanta History Center

‘96 Olympic Games

My Role

Creative Direction, UI Design, Fabrication, Animation, Emerging Technology

Project Description

The Atlanta History Center sought to create a signature exhibition capturing the impact of the 1996 Olympic and Paralympic Games on Atlanta. They partnered with Dragon Army to build digital experiences that would feel seamlessly integrated into the exhibition, rather than added as an afterthought. Through audio kiosks, interactive displays, and a city skyline builder, our goal was to allow visitors to deeply engage with the Games’ legacy and Atlanta’s transformation.

Challenges

This project required creating several multimedia experiences that would engage museum-goers while ensuring audio and video elements did not compete or disrupt each other. Strict ADA/WCAG compliance was essential for both digital and physical accessibility.

Solution

We developed five distinct experiences for visitors:

An interactive video display showcasing memorable moments from the Olympic Games.
Audio kiosks featuring intimate interviews with athletes, fans, and citizens who witnessed the Games’ impact.
A dynamic map of Atlanta allowing visitors to explore how the Games influenced the city’s development.
A city skyline builder where visitors created their vision for Atlanta based on what they valued, using Leap Motion technology for touchless interaction.
An archive of the full ‘96 Olympic Games website, giving users a window into the digital history of the event.

Then COVID happened.

• Then COVID happened. •

Making touch screens touchless.

Right as the pandemic began, we realized that all of these touchscreen experiences would be completely obsolete and we’d need to find a quick and affordable solution.

We quickly threw together a demo using Leap Motion as our touchless controller, came up with some fabrication ideas and go to work creating an alternative control scheme for every experience. It was tough but I’m absolutely thrilled that we were able to pivot this effectively.

Delight

To make each exhibit feel responsive and alive, we incorporated subtle animations and feedback within the displays. These elements ensured the installations felt immersive and engaging, enhancing the sense of discovery for each visitor.

Conclusion

Now a permanent feature at the Atlanta History Center, the ‘96 Olympic Games exhibition has been met with enthusiastic engagement, even during COVID-19. Visitors praised the interactive experiences, which helped to elevate the impact and legacy of the Games on Atlanta, making history accessible and relevant to today’s audience.