Museum/Exhibit/Design Tool: TerraSlate Waterproof Paper

Life (and Exhibit Development!) is often a series of compromises -- choices between two ends of the spectrum.

While working on a Historical Museum project, our team was faced with how best to display facsimiles of 19th Century receipts. We wanted visitors to be able to pick up and read the information (such as the costs of grocery items and canal boat supplies) without the installation becoming too fussy.  

Since the receipts were installed as part of a historic Tavern setting, we wanted the objects and exhibits to feel more integrated into the space, so there was no heavy lamination or tethering of packets of papers to tables.

The "in-between" exhibit tool choice we made was to color laser print scans of the receipts onto waterproof and rip-proof TerraSlate paper. The final outputs are durable, and they will be straightforward for the client to reprint in the future, as needed.  (Examples of some of the final receipts are pictured at the top of this post.)

Check out the TerraSlate website for more info about the range of products they sell.

What are some of your favorite "in-between" exhibit tools? Let us know in the "Comments" section below!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

Paul Orselli writes the posts on ExhibiTricks. Paul likes to combine interesting people, ideas, and materials to make exhibits (and entire museums!) with his company POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) Let's work on a project together!

If you enjoy the blog, you can help keep it free to read and free from ads by supporting ExhibiTricks through our PayPal "Tip Jar"

Tape-tastic!

Even though I've been stuck at home working on projects because of the pandemic, one thing I've come to appreciate even more as an exhibit developer and prototyper is TAPE!

Tape is one of those handy things that you often use but rarely think about.

So in true ExhibiTricks spirit, here's a listing of a variety of specialty tapes for your creative design toolbox.  Just click on the title link above each tape description to go to a related web page to purchase that tape or for more information.

3M SOLAS Tape

"SOLAS" stands for "Safety Of Life At Sea" and it is a super-durable reflective tape that was designed originally to be used by the Coast Guard. It's strong. It's shiny. What more could you want? It may also be useful outside your exhibit pursuits on bikes, backpacks, or cars.

Gaffer's Tape

If you think duct tape is useful, try Gaffer's tape. You can think of Gaffer's Tape as duct tape without the sticky residue. It's the standard tape in the film and theater worlds. Best of all, the adhesive is designed to not rip off paint. You can leave Gaffer's tape stuck to a wall for days, and then remove it without tearing up the wall surface or leaving sticky gunk behind.

Blue Painter's Tape

The "blue masking tape" is great because it doesn't mar or mess up walls.  Great for painting/masking of course, but also super when putting together large paper or cardboard prototypes that need to interface with walls, floors, or windows.

Vypar X-Treme Tape

X-treme tape is a non-adhesive, self-bonding wrap. It's not really "tape" since it's not sticky. But it really grips and wraps around wet stuff or slimy stuff --- think water exhibits, hoses, bubble exhibits, etc. Once it's in place -- it is NOT coming off! You just pull on the tape and it fuses to itself under tension. As a bonus, it comes in a range of colors as well. 

And here are two variations on good old reliable duct tape:

Gorilla Tape

Gorilla Tape is like regular duct tape on steroids. Sure, it's much stickier, but it also adheres to uneven/rough surfaces.

Clear Duct Tape

From the creative minds of 3M comes "clear "duct tape! It is less noticeable than standard duct tape, but more importantly, 3M claims it lasts 6 times longer than the standard variety, having been engineered for extreme temperatures and UV exposure.

Vet Wrap

A "self-clinging" wrapping material that does not require tight compression.

Instant-bonding Glue Dots

Adhesive "dots" that require no drying time, are clean and easy to use, and work on a variety of materials. Glue Dots bond instantly to any surface.

Terrifically Tacky Tape

This is double-sided craft tape with a red liner that is super strong. (The bond actually increases after the first 24 hours it is applied.)  This is the same kind of ultra-thin, very sticky tape as "3M 4910 VHB Tape" but TT tape comes in shorter-length rolls so it is less expensive.

3M Dual Lock Reclosable Fastener System

Clear self-mating reclosable fastener with clear acrylic adhesive on the back. This is the "mushroom" topped style, rather than hook and loop, so it fastens to itself and doesn't collect fuzz like the "hook" half of velcro.

Colored Plastic Vinyl Floor Marking Tape

Great for outlining areas on floors or walls -- like helping people maintain physical distancing during COVID times.  These tapes come from Identi-Tape and are highly adhesive and resistant to water, oil, fungus, and chemicals, have a semi-gloss finish, and can be written on with permanent markers.

1/4"-wide Colored Plastic Vinyl Tape

Also from Identi-Tape, these 6-mil vinyl adhesive tapes are available in 14 colors plus clear in 36-yard long rolls. These tapes are ideal for constructing lines and tables on dry erase boards, identification of small tools, decorative striping, etc.

Hugo's Amazing Tape

The cool thing about Hugo's Amazing Tape is that it only sticks to itself.  This makes it great for things that need to be wrapped and re-wrapped, or opened and closed, on a regular basis.  Hugo's tape can also be used as a temporary clamp or stabilizer for irregularly-shaped materials as well.

And that wraps up this post about tape!  Do you have any favorite tapes that we've missed here? Leave us the info in the Comments Section below!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

Paul Orselli writes the posts on ExhibiTricks. Paul likes to combine interesting people, ideas, and materials to make exhibits (and entire museums!) with his company POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) Let's work on a project together!

If you enjoy the blog, you can help keep it free to read and free from ads by supporting ExhibiTricks through our PayPal "Tip Jar"

Happy Tapes-giving!

As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States, one thing I am always happy for as an exhibit developer and prototyper is TAPE!

Tape is one of those handy things that you often use but rarely think about.

So here's a listing of a variety of specialty tapes for your creative design toolbox.  Just click on the title link above each tape description to go to a web page to purchase that tape or for more information.

HAPPY TAPES-GIVING!


3M SOLAS Tape
"SOLAS" stands for "Safety Of Life At Sea" and it is super-durable reflective tape that was designed originally to be used by the Coast Guard. It's strong. It's shiny. What more could you want? It may also be useful outside your exhibit pursuits on bikes, backpacks, or cars.


Gaffer's Tape
If you think duct tape is useful, try Gaffer's tape. You can think of Gaffer's Tape as duct tape without the sticky residue. It's the standard tape in the film and theater worlds. Best of all, the adhesive is designed to not rip off paint. You can leave Gaffer's tape stuck to a wall for days, and then remove it without tearing up the wall surface or leaving sticky gunk behind.


Blue Painter's Tape
The "blue masking tape" is great because it doesn't mar or mess up walls.  Great for painting/masking of course, but also super when putting together large paper or cardboard prototypes that need to interface with walls, floors, or windows.

Vypar X-Treme Tape
X-treme tape is a non-adhesive, self-bonding wrap. It's not really "tape" since it's not sticky. But it really grips and wraps around wet stuff or slimy stuff --- think water exhibits, hoses, bubble exhibits, etc. Once it's in place -- it is NOT coming off! You just pull on the tape and it fuses to itself under tension. As a bonus, it comes in a range of colors as well. 



Here are two variations on good old reliable duct tape:

Gorilla Tape
Gorilla Tape is like regular duct tape on steroids. Sure, it's much stickier, but it also adheres to uneven/rough surfaces.


Clear Duct Tape
From the creative minds of 3M comes "clear "duct tape! It is less noticeable than standard duct tape, but more importantly, 3M claims it lasts 6 times longer than the standard variety, having been engineered for extreme temperatures and UV exposure.



Vet Wrap
A "self-clinging" wrapping material that does not require tight compression.


Instant-bonding Glue Dots
Adhesive "dots" that require no drying time, are clean and easy to use and work on a variety of materials. Glue Dots bond instantly to any surface.


Terrifically Tacky Tape
This is double-sided craft tape with red liner that is super strong. (The bond actually increases after the first 24 hours it is applied.)  This is the same kind of ultra-thin, very sticky tape as "3M 4910 VHB Tape" but TT tape comes in shorter-length rolls so it is less expensive.


3M Dual Lock Reclosable Fastener System
Clear self-mating reclosable fastener with clear acrylic adhesive on the back. This is the "mushroom" topped style, rather than hook and loop, so it fastens to itself and doesn't collect fuzz like the "hook" half of velcro.


Colored Plastic Vinyl Floor Marking Tape
Great for outlining areas on floors or walls.  These tapes come from Identi-Tape and are highly adhesive and resistant to water, oil, fungus, and chemicals, have a semi-gloss finish and can be written on with permanent markers.


1/4"-wide Colored Plastic Vinyl Tape
Also from Identi-Tape, these 6-mil vinyl adhesive tapes are available in a 14 colors plus clear in 36-yard long rolls. These tapes are ideal for constructing lines and tables on dry erase boards, identification of small tools, decorative striping, etc.


Hugo's Amazing Tape
The cool thing about Hugo's Amazing Tape is that it only sticks to itself.  This makes it great for things that need to be wrapped and re-wrapped, or opened and closed, on a regular basis.  Hugo's tape can also be used as a temporary clamp or stabilizer for irregularly-shaped materials as well.


And that wraps up this post about tape!  Do you have any favorite tapes that we've missed here? Leave us the info in the Comments Section below!



Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Museum Exhibit Design Inspiration: Glow-In-The-Dark Thread!

I love finding interesting exhibit supplies that show up in unexpected places. While working on a recent exhibit design project, I went in search of different types of glow-in-the-dark materials and found Sublime Stitching in Austin, Texas.

If you scroll to the bottom of the handy Tools Section of the Sublime Stitching website you will find the finely braided glow in the dark thread in a palette of five colors to fill all your fiber and phosphorescent needs. (And now you get twice as much tread per spool!)

Several of the other tools highlighted in this section of the Sublime Stitching website, while originally intended for sewing and stitching purposes, will work well for your next prototyping or exhibition project as well.

What unexpected exhibit development resources do you use?

Share your finds in the Comments Section below!


Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Quick Tip: The SketchUp D'oh! Book

SketchUp is a great, easy-to-learn presentation tool that is perfect for museum/exhibit/design folks. There's even a free version, now called SketchUp Make, and a browser-based version, now in beta, called my.SketchUp.

I know a fellow exhibit developer that calls SketchUp "AutoCAD for Dummies." While SketchUp may have a much more straightforward learning curve than other 3D programs, the results are beautiful and professional even for a clod like me. (The drawing above is a simple SketchUp rendering that I created for a museum project.) 

But as with using every software tool, occasionally your realize there are simpler ways to accomplish things, or aspects of the program that you've completely missed --- a real D'oh! moment (to quote Homer Simpson.)

The website SketchUcation has come to the rescue with a free PDF guide they call "The D'oh! Book" jam-packed with tips and tricks that will make you a better SketchUp user and designer.

If you already use SketchUp, you need The D'oh! Book.  And if by chance you haven't used SketchUp before, click on over to the SketchUp website and download a copy to try out!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Favorite ExhibiTricks Posts: People, Tools, and Inspiration (Summer 2015 Edition)

I've been doing the ExhibiTricks blog for over eight(!) years now, and in that time I've built up quite a "back catalog" of articles and resources.

Since it's summer (in North America) and that is often a time for slowing down and catching up on reading and ideas, I thought I'd put together a list of some of my favorite posts in three recurring ExhibiTricks categories: People, Tools, and Inspiration.  Obviously the Venn Diagram often overlaps between those three topics, but I hope you have fun reading these curated posts nevertheless.  Enjoy!


PEOPLE

User-Centered Design: An Interview with Margaret Middleton

Moving Minds and Bodies: An Interview with Christina Ferwerda

Collecting Authentic Experiences: An Interview with Carolynne Harris

Exploring The World: An Interview With Dan Spock

An Architecture Of Participation: An interview With Nina Simon

TOOLS

Tape!

Spoonflower

Stop-Motion Animation Tools

PAINT!

The Public Domain Project

INSPIRATION

One Day Poem Pavilion

The Cake Boss is a Great Prototyper!

Olafur Eliasson

Circuit Scribe and Autodesk 123D 

Camera On A Car Wheel

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Designer Toolkit: Circuit Scribe and Autodesk 123D apps

Circuit Scribe is a fun way to electrify your drawings with special pens filled with metallic quick-dry conductive ink.  It really makes designing circuits as easy as doodling.  You can check it out in the YouTube video at the top of this post, or buy your own Circuit Scribe pens and accessories at the Circuit Scribe website.

I love this natural mash-up of art and tech, but what's even more exciting is that the Circuit Scribe folks have teamed up with Autodesk and their suite of 123D apps.   If you don't already know all the 123D apps, this intro page gives you a sense of their range.  

Basically, 123D apps are FREE online tools that let you create first in the digital world and then move your digital creation into the real world via 3D printing or manufacturing.  For example, 123D Catch lets you capture places, people or things in 3D using your iPad, iPhone or any camera. Then you can either share your "Catches" with other people or 3D print a real object from your digital files.

Similarly 123D Circuits lets you design and simulate circuits online, and then order PCBs of your own designs (or from other 123D Circuits community members) from the Circuit Scribe store.

Want to do digital sculpting? 123D Sculpt!  Want to create a creature? 123D Creature!  Even if you are a bit of a technophobe, it's still worth clicking over to the Autodesk 123D apps page to see what you might be able to add to your own creative toolbox.


Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Exhibit Designer's Toolkit: SensoryPEN

I recently got to play around with a SensoryPEN, and wanted to share my impressions with ExhibiTricks readers.

SensoryPEN is a way to add audio to exhibit experiences and graphics.  Each SensoryPEN (pictured below) can hold up to 280 hours of audio content in a small lithium ion battery-charged unit. The units can be used indoors or outdoors and come with an earphone port and internal speakers.

Essentially you create a button, image,  or shape that you want to serve as the "trigger" for the SensoryPEN sound file(s).   Then, once a visitor touches the tip of the pen to that audio-enhanced image, the message and sounds play.

The thing I like best (beside the really reasonable cost of each SensoryPEN unit) is that your sound triggers can be printed on a range of materials from simple stickers to more permanent materials like high-pressure laminates, and that you can layer up to 12 audio clips per each sound trigger "code."

So why not head over to the website to find out more about SensoryPEN?  I definitely think its worth a look as a new resource to create more accessible and multi-sensory exhibits.

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Cool Museum Exhibit Design Tool: Spoonflower

Spoonflower is one of those cool Web-based service sites that lets you turn your ideas into real stuff!

It's also a great example of how the intersection of the Web and the Maker Movement can trickle down to serve museum folks and exhibit designers.

Spoonflower gives individuals the power to print their own designs (like the one above) on fabric, wallpaper or gift wrap. The idea is that you upload a digital image (or use the Spoonflower imaging tools) to the Spoonflower Web site and the company prints the design on a range of materials that they then ship directly to you.

You can see some real-life examples and read commentary on using different materials and techniques on the Spoonflower blog.  (Or vote in their weekly "Design of the Week" challenge!)

All in all, Spoonflower's services look like another interesting tool to add to the exhibit developer's repertoire. 

So why not give Spoonflower a try, and then email us a picture of what you made?



Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

ReWind: Inventables

As I've been thinking about and developing "maker" type spaces a lot these days, I thought I'd commend the Inventables website to ExhibiTricks readers again.

Who wouldn't love a website that provides cool stuff like Soft Gel Magnets or Aluminum Foam?   Inventables is just such a website, and it's been great fun trying out their stuff for new exhibits and prototyping projects.

The clean and simple Inventables website gives you examples of new and interesting materials (with specs!) to investigate,  as well as nice search features that lets you sort materials by qualities like "glow in the dark" or "magnetic".

Also, the Inventables site lets you buy small quantities of materials at relatively inexpensive prices.  Maybe you could set up demos or materials science investigation areas for visitors --- a "Material of the Month" perhaps? 

So take a little "mad money" from your current project budgets and click on over to the Inventables web site.  Who knows where some of those cool materials may lead you?

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Goodbye Columbus, Hello Makers!

The biggest takeaway I had from the 2012 ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers) conference that just wrapped up in Columbus was all the session (and hallway) chatter about making and Makers.

In some ways, I find the interest in giving museum visitors access to (relatively) open-ended situations where they can use cool tools and materials a great step forward from past years of over-designed, neon-encrusted exhibition spaces (especially in Science Centers.)

On the other hand, is the term "making" destined to become an over-used "hot" topic that starts to mean so many things to so many people that it becomes a mushy buzzword like "interactivity" or "multimedia"?

It worries me when the appellation "Maker Space" fits everything from a "rebranded" recycled crafts area (where, let's face it, the main activity is globbing together pieces of junk with gallons of glue ... sort of like a bad real-life Katamari Damacy) to a well-staffed space filled with truly generative activities for visitors to explore (like MAKESHOP in Pittsburgh or the tinkering studio at the Exploratorium.)

That tension definitely came out in conversations and session presentations where some ASTC attendees thought letting kids "mess around" with tools and materials in any way they wanted was fine (and seemed to fit their definition of "making") while others felt that unless activities were "framed" in careful ways that lots of opportunities for "authentic making" as well as learning about science were getting lost in the rush to hop on the maker bandwagon.

My own feeling is that this is all getting shaken out during an incredibly active time, with inevitable leaps forward (as well as howl-worthy missteps.)  Ultimately though, if the buzz around "making" can help organizations like museums (and schools, too) get motivated to provide space, tools, and materials for people to push the boundaries of their own skills and experiences, what's the downside? 

But I also think it is important to acknowledge that if you give some people a pile of tools and materials they immediately feel comfortable "jumping in" while other folks need a bit more guidance or examples to help them get started.  And it would be wrong to design a space that makes either end of this learning/personality spectrum feel excluded.

The Maker Movement is in the air both inside and outside of our museums.  I hope we can find ways to capture the core making experiences (like access to new tools and materials) inside exhibit areas without those fundamentals getting swept away by all the media hoopla.

What do you "make" of these topics?  Are you excited by the possibilities for "real making" or are you concerned about "fake make"?  Let us know in the "Comments" section below! 

(Also, if you attend the ASTC Conference --- since I'm just coming onto the Program Committee, I'd like to encourage you to submit session proposals on make (and non-make!) topics for the 2013 meeting in beautiful Albequerque.)



UNABASHED PLUG: In the whole "making" vein, I've just embarked on a collaboration with Brad Larson of Brad Larson Media (that's Brad and me pictured at the top of the post) and Jim Polk of Canstruct to create a series of "Pop-up Maker Space" exhibits and activities for museums. 

We're helping our museum partners help their visitors to make cool projects, share their ideas, and then continue creating and making at home.  You can find out more by checking out (and Liking!) our Pop-Up Maker Space Facebook page, or by going to the newly-started PopupMakerSpace.com Web site (where you can download a free animation activity to make at home.)




Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Exhibit Design Toolkit: Sonic Sites

Sometimes a design project needs the perfect sonic punctuation --- the sound of a zombie munching a brain, or an elephant's trumpet, for example --- to feel complete.

It's been a while since we've done a post on websites that offer sound effects and other aural delights for designers, so find below a new batch of sites that can supply just about anything you might need for your next sonicly-oriented design project:

Soundcli.ps  is a great website that allows users to share or download audio clips.

SoundBible.com offers thousands of free sound effects, sound clips, and straight-up sounds.

AudioFormat.com allows you to convert audio file to other formats online using nothing more than your browser, and it's a free resource allowing you to convert wav to mp3, mp3 to wav, video to mp3, wmv to wav, wav to wmv, and more.

Free-Loops.com serves as an online audio toolbox that you can access anytime.

SoundJax.com is a semi-autonomous sound search platform that indexes and renders waveforms, tags, and catalogs audio from the Web.

So give the sites above a try (and a listen!) and let us know what you think, or tell us if you have another "sonic site" to recommend in the "Comments" Section below.

(Special thanks to Trixie Lee from Soundcli.ps for suggesting we let ExhibiTricks readers know about these Web resources.)


Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Automatic ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Designer's Toolkit: Gear Ties

Gear Ties are one of those forehead-slapping inventions that makes you wonder "why didn't I think of that?"  Basically, Gear Ties are reusable rubber twist ties that come in a variety of lengths, thicknesses, and colors.  While one of the primary purposes of Gear Ties is to wrap around things like computer or electrical cords, you can also make simple hooks or hangers from them, or temporarily bind things together as well.

The body of each Gear Tie is striated with parallel incised ridges, so they stay in place.

While all these attributes are great to keep any museum workshop or designer's space in order, I couldn't help playing around with the Gear Ties as toys and seeing the possibilities to use them as exhibit pieces (either for building or creative spaces) or to use during the exhibit prototyping process by holding pieces together or for changing configurations rapidly.

You can see the range of Gear Ties yourself over at Amazon.  Let me know how you end up using them!

(A special tip of the ExhibiTricks hat to Peggy Monahan for showing me Gear Ties in the first place.)

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Automatic ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

ReWind: Sugru is great stuff!

Sugru is a great addition to the toolkit of any hacker/fixer/maker/artist.

I've been working on a few projects recently to stick exhibit-y things together or to make small replacement parts that need to be flexible and strong, and Sugru really does the trick.  So I thought I'd ReWind this posting. Enjoy!

In fact, "Hacking Things Better" seems to be the company motto!

Plus Sugru has a great story --- creative young woman works with two materials scientists to develop a better (silicone-based) material to fix and improve things.

As you can see on the Sugru website there are lots of clever ways to repair and/or improve even everyday items. 

What's your favorite museum/exhibit/design "fixit" material?  Tell us about it in the "Comments" section below!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Automatic ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Exhibit Design Toolbox: babyCAD

I'm all for FREE tools that help exhibit designers, so let me commend babyCAD to your attention.

BabyCAD is an online tool that lets you intuitively create exhibit installations.   It's clear that right now babyCAD is geared more toward trade show and pop up exhibits, but that being said, I really liked how quickly and intuitively I could knock together a respectable rendering with multiple exhibit elements.

The babyCAD program allows you to choose from a set of items arranged by categories that you can adjust to fit particular exhibit and display situations.  Two additional features that I like are the ability to add "skins" (like logos or artwork) to selected elements, as well as the ability to save your creations (that you want to share with clients) as either a PDF or a custom Web link.  The Web link is a URL that allows clients to control all the 3D-viewing aspects of your exhibit rendering in babyCAD without editing capabilities.

If you need to design kiosk-based or portable installations in your institution, babyCAD is well worth a look.

So what are you waiting for? Go to the babyCAD website and give it a whirl!


Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Automatic ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Exhibit Designer's Toolbox: Sugru

Sugru is a great addition to the toolkit of any hacker/fixer/maker/artist. 

In fact, "Hacking Things Better" seems to be the company motto!

Plus Sugru has a great story --- creative young woman works with two materials scientists to develop a better (silicone-based) material to fix and improve things.

As you can see on the Sugru website there are lots of clever ways to repair and/or improve even everyday items. 

What's your favorite "fixit" material?  Tell us about it in the "Comments" section below!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Free Updates" link on the right side of the blog. P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Museum Exhibit Design Toolkit: An Erector Set for Grownups

Here's a quick one to explore:

80/20 Inc. is a company that sells aluminum T-slotted framing that they call "The Industrial Erector Set."

And just like an erector set, the 80/20 pieces let you quickly put together 3-D realizations of your exhibit designs. Since the T-slotted framing sections assemble quickly, changes are much easier to make than welded frames, so the system is also great for playing around with physical prototypes.

Check out the 80/20 website for images of project examples!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Free Updates" link on the right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Exhibit Design Toolkit: Off The Shelf

Sometimes (especially in these tricky economic times) adapting a well-designed "off the shelf" item to an exhibit purpose can be a real budget saver. Whether to provide an additional tabletop interactive in a larger exhibition, or as a collection of simple, portable exhibits for outreach, I've found the items listed below to provide good foundations for simple open-ended exhibit components.

Each idea below is followed by a short example set-up description and relevant web link(s). All the materials (including laminated graphics/labels) can easily fit into standard-sized plastic storage bins with resealable lids.

1) Mini-microscope

These hand-held microscopes are great! They are battery operated (buy rechargeable!) and can be used with flat(ish) materials like fabrics, papers, etc. Also you can make your own “slides” with a business card sized laminator.

2) CITIBLOCS

Just put out a batch of CITIBLOCS on a flat surface and stand back! People of all ages love them. There are also Kapla Books and cards that have nice images of block projects to get people started.

3) Mirrors/Symmetry

Make, or buy from ETA, small rectangles of plexi mirror (with rounded corners!)

Then use Duncan Birmingham’s books, like M is for Mirror, as references to create your own laminated symmetry activity sheets.

Lastly, Pattern Blocks (also from ETA) make a great exhibit with two fixed plexi mirrors at 90 degrees to each other.

4) Geoboards

Buy a set of 10 WOODEN geoboards, but only put out three or four at a time. Include some colored rubber bands and watch the cool artistic AND mathematical patterns kids make!

5) Magna-Tiles

Use the translucent Magna-Tiles to allow visitors to create both 2-D and 3-D patterns that are like playing with stained glass. If you can throw a light table, or back-lit piec e of milky acrylic into the mix (as in the picture below) so much the better!

6) Moiré

Use “found objects” such as strainers, perforated metal, window screen, to create a Moiré Discovery Kit. You can also laminate downloadable moiré patterns here.

7) "Bill Ding" Acrobat Blocks

Buy a set or two of "Bill Ding" acrobatic blocks for visitors to use. The clever design of these blocks allows folks to not only explore pattern making, but physical principles related to balance, gravity and symmetry as well.

8) 3-D Images

Get several sets of “Proview” 3-D Glasses from the Rainbow Symphony Company. Then laminate 3-D images of your own choosing. NASA has free images you can download of Earth, Mars and the Sun , for example.

See the NASA links and other 3-D resources at this page on Rainbow Symphony’s site.

9) Tuning Forks Station

NASCO sells nice tuning forks and accessories. Buy a variety, but just put out three or four different sizes at a time. You will also want to get a large “rubber pad” or large rubber “activator” for kids to strike the forks on to get them to vibrate. (The idea is not to strike the tuning forks on themselves or other hard objects!)

Other props for this station include a shallow round Tupperware container filled with water to create sound “waves”. Also, a suspended strip of Mylar or Tyvek paper can show the air being moved by tuning fork vibrations.

10) Mazes/Marble Runs

Buy a nice selection of Cuboro wooden marble runs.

Big fun! And great three-dimensional thinking/planning skills.

What "off the shelf" exhibit solutions or resources have you found? Let us know in the "Comments" section below!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Free Updates" link on the right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

Designer Toolkit: Taylor Ergonomic Luggage Scale

The Taylor Ergonomic Luggage Scale is a handy, and relatively inexpensive, digital scale.  As you can see by the image above,  the scale works by hanging things from the handle (that also serves to hold the digital read-out.)

A digital luggage scale is handy for weighing items before you go on a trip (duh!) to avoid excess baggage fees, but this particular unit is also durable enough to be used in interactive exhibits or museum lab spaces as a simple yet effective digital scale.

Last but not least, this is also the perfect type of device to substitute for cheap(er) spring scales in free-fall and "zero gravity" experiments and demonstrations.

The Taylor Ergonomic Luggage Scale is available at Amazon and the other online "usual suspects" for under $20.00 (USD).

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Free Updates" link on the right side of the blog.

P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)