Revolutionizing Heritage: The Mukden Palace Mixed Reality Interface

Jiayi Chen's Design Merges Tradition with Cutting-Edge Technology

The Mukden Palace Experience, crafted by Jiayi Chen, stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of historical reverence and technological advancement. This mixed reality interface serves as a bridge, connecting visitors to the rich tapestry of the past with the ease and engagement of modern digital tools. By integrating this innovative approach within the Shenyang Palace Museum, Chen has set a new standard for interactive learning in cultural heritage sites.

What sets the Mukden Palace Experience apart is its pioneering use of mixed reality within a heritage museum context. While many modern museums boast interactive displays, heritage sites often lag behind due to the delicate nature of their exhibits. Chen's design delicately navigates this challenge, offering a digital layer that enhances, rather than overshadows, the authenticity of the historical artifacts.

The technical realization of this interface is as impressive as its conceptual foundation. Utilizing tools like Figma and Adobe Photoshop for the design, and macOS Xcode for testing, the project adheres to Apple VisionPro's stringent design guidelines. This ensures a seamless and accessible user experience, with optimized gesture recognition and eye-tracking, allowing visitors to engage with exhibits in a deeply immersive manner.

Chen's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the design specifications, which prioritize user comfort and accessibility. The interface features button dimensions and spacing that accommodate natural hand movements, and font sizes and weights that guide the eye effortlessly through the content. This careful consideration ensures that the technology enhances the museum experience without becoming a distraction.

The Mukden Palace Experience operates through devices supporting mixed reality displays, like Apple Vision Pro. Once the application is installed, users can navigate the museum's exhibits with intuitive controls, accessing rich multimedia content that brings history to life. This interaction design not only enriches the visitor experience but also serves as an educational tool, deepening the understanding of cultural heritage.

Spanning from March 2023 to January 2024, the project's journey from Shenyang, China to Plano, Texas, is a reflection of its global significance. The design process was informed by extensive research, including field observations and user interviews, ensuring that the final product truly resonates with its audience. This meticulous approach has culminated in a design that not only overcomes creative and technical challenges but also sets a new benchmark for interactive museum experiences.

Chen's Mukden Palace Experience has rightfully earned the Silver A' Design Award, a recognition of its exceptional design quality and innovative approach to user experience. As visitors don the mixed reality interface and step into the storied halls of the Shenyang Palace Museum, they are not merely observing history—they are partaking in a groundbreaking chapter of museum interaction.