Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History BrightSign Interactive Kiosks

Client Background

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is a leading institution dedicated to sharing and expanding knowledge about natural history. The Predator-Prey and Hippo Interactive Exhibits were originally designed as Flash-based educational experiences in Adobe Director. These exhibits provided museum visitors with engaging, hands-on learning about ecosystems, species interactions, and natural habitats. To modernize the exhibits, NMNH commissioned a rebuild using web technologies, making the interactives more accessible, future-proof, and compatible with modern devices.

Project Goals

1. Migrate Legacy Flash Interactives to Modern Web Technologies

Rebuild the Predator-Prey and Hippo exhibits using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and GSAP to replace outdated Flash and Director technologies, ensuring future compatibility and smoother performance.

2. Create Intuitive, High-Impact User Experiences

Develop engaging, educational interactives that leverage animations and intuitive controls to provide users of all ages with an accessible, immersive experience.

3. Ensure Accessibility and Compliance Standards

Design exhibits that align with accessibility standards, incorporating features like visual cues, narration, and responsive controls to cater to a diverse visitor base.

4. Optimize for Performance on Museum-Grade Hardware

Use efficient code and media management to guarantee stable performance on BrightSign devices, preloading and sequencing assets to ensure responsive and smooth interactivity.

Challenges and Solutions