This project was created for the Barrier Islands Center (BIC), a museum and cultural center in Machipongo, VA. While interning at the BIC, I was asked to find new ways to engage the tween and teen demographics. My solution was an interactive digital display that takes visitors through the process of decoy carving, blending the technical and historical sides of American folk art. As a self-taught programmer at the time, I challenged myself to learn a new game engine and scripting language while also collaborating with local artisans, museum educators, and BIC members to ensure the experience was both engaging and educational.

solo commercial project with help from the Margaret Jane Dickinson Internship program at the Barrier Islands Center

materials / software used:

• Godot, GDScript

• Blender

• MediBang Paint Pro

• Android Studio

• various copyright-free images

Game installed in the BIC's decoy exhibit

features:

• display will automatically restart (with a warning and countdown) after a period of inactivity

• modular system that allows for personalized combinations

• unerased surfaces will turn redder as more is erased during erasing stages (coupled with a progress bar), ensuring that users do not get frustrated

• mixing palette for creating infinite colors during painting stage

• featured decoy on the start page is repeatedly replaced with the last decoy created in the program

Images courtesy of Megan Ames