The Exquisite Familiar
Software and hardware integration for an interactive museum exhibition.
Project Description
The Exquisite Familiar
Created in partnership with the Art Gallery of South Australia and MOD. Museum, I developed the software and collaborated on the hardware that makes the TEF exhibition work.
I used the C Engine Raylib to develop the software.
"Familiars can be found throughout history in folklore and are uncanny creatures who help and protect their owners. In The Exquisite Familiar project, these creatures take on the meaningful and communicative role of metaphors for access and inclusion for people living with a disability."
Project Details
Software Stack
Tech:
C++, Raylib Microcontroller Programming
Team of 2
Developer Hardware EngineerMy Role:
Development & intergration
Skills Learnt
Key Challenges
- Combining Hardware and Software
Worked with project managers to ensure that the software and hardware met requirements. The setup needed to be intuitive as the exhibition is unsupervised. Bright buttons were chosen to inspire curiosity. - Expandable and Robust
Ensured that the TEF solution is heavy-duty and expandable, by being able to have content added to it. - Easy Setup and Configurable:
The TEF solution can be installed and removed with minimal technical effort. The software automatically starts and can be configured in various ways.
Watch
Video Demo
Quick test after we installed at MOD in April 2023
(Sorry was taken using my phone in portrait!)
Conclusion
Project Outcome
The initial exhibition at MOD was successful. In 2024, more content from additional artists was added and the exhibition toured around Eyre Peninsula and at Hahndorf Academy.