29.10.2008
Shower of prizes for “chemieraum” (“chemicals in cyberspace”)
Molecules can be built up on the media table of the “chemieraum”. (Copyright: Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd)
Jens Franke and Thomas Gläser, design students of the
Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd (University for Design), managed to take away three highly regarded awards in quick succession. The two students made an international breakthrough with their “chemieraum” project – which was the concluding one for their Bachelor’s course – by winning the Europrix Multimedia Award 2008 in the Interactive Installation category. On 28th November they will receive the red dot concept design award 2008 “best of the best” in Singapore. Finally, they were given the Bavarian State Prize for up and coming designers on 20th October 2008.
And this is how the “chemieraum” works:
Chemistry that you can almost touch was the basic starting idea for the interactive exhibition project of the two young designers. By means of the “chemieraum” concept they make the world of atoms a palpable experience. The “chemieraum” is made up of a media table and a wall projection system that is arranged in parallel. Using a so-called “puck” as an input device, existing molecules can be selected from a library or - with the aid of a toolbox – they can be assembled from hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and sulphur atoms. At the same time, all the main properties of the substance and its relevance to everyday life are displayed. The aggregate state of any particular substance can be monitored by means of a temperature controller. In the event of excessively high temperatures or other visual forms of stimulation, the puck gives an immediate feedback by vibrating strongly or by lighting up brightly.
More:
http://www.hfg-gmuend.de
