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The Story of a Nation

Roles
  • Interaction Designer,
  • Lead Developer
Company/Client
  • Museum of the American Revolution,
  • Bluecadet
Activities
  • Experience Design,
  • Interaction Design,
  • Knowledge Management

Bluecadet’s work for the Museum of the American Revolution exemplifies how digital storytelling and interactive design can effectively convey historical narratives, making the past accessible and engaging for a contemporary audience.

American Association of Museums: Muse Silver Award Communication Arts: WebPick of the Week Addy Awards: Silver

The Client

The Museum of the American Revolution, located in the heart of historic Philadelphia, is dedicated to telling the compelling story of the American Revolution through immersive exhibits, engaging programs, and a rich collection of artifacts. Since its opening in 2017, the museum has become a vital cultural institution that educates and inspires visitors by connecting them to the profound events and people that shaped the nation’s founding.

The Background

The museum’s founders sought Bluecadet’s expertise in 2011 to create a web presence that could effectively tell the story of the American Revolution. Known for crafting compelling historical narratives, we were the right choice for this ambitious project.

Drupal never looked this good before

With the same design vocabulary shared by both the HTML and Flash components of the site, the technology stack stepped back and let the content shine.

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The Challenge

The museum boasts an extensive collection of artifacts, including weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art from the Revolutionary era. Highlights include George Washington’s headquarters tent, an iconic symbol of the general’s leadership and the American fight for independence.
Our task was to capture the vast historical narrative contained within this material record and deliver it to the public through an engaging online platform.

Immersion

The interaction design for the exhibit focused on using the content itself as the interface.

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Immersive Interactive Experience

Leveraging our backgrounds in American history, design, and technology, we designed an immersive website framed with educational materials for teachers and general information about the museum.

An enriching experience

The site supported the museum's educational mission with a collection of materials and resources tailored to the needs of teachers.

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Educational Programs

The museum provides a wide range of educational programs designed for students, teachers, families, and history enthusiasts. These programs include guided tours, workshops, lectures, and interactive sessions that deepen visitors’ understanding of the Revolutionary period and its enduring significance.

The final product

In the final product, content and interface were indistinguishable, creating an immersive and engaging experience for visitors.

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The final product

In the final product, content and interface were indistinguishable, creating an immersive and engaging experience for visitors.

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Museum of the American Revolution Interactive Timeline

A standout feature was an immersive interactive timeline showcasing the American Revolution Center’s collection. This timeline allowed visitors to explore artifacts within the broader context of American history, accompanied by curator podcasts explaining each artifact’s story and significance.

Seamless exploration of items in the collection

The exhibit presented featured items from its rich collection as part of a historical narrative.

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Integration of Content and Design

The project’s success was attributed to the harmonious integration of content and design. High-quality artifact images, supplemental materials, and curator narrations combined to create a rich, engaging narrative, enhancing visitors’ appreciation for the museum’s role in preserving and interpreting American history.

The Lesson

The end product set a benchmark for educational websites, marrying historical content with modern technology to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of America’s foundational history.

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