Athenaeum Press
Athenaeum Press is a student-driven publishing lab at Coastal Carolina University that crafts a variety of multi-media projects highlighting the Carolinas. This project focuses on Gullah Geechee history in the Gullah Geechee Corridor.
Project Proposal Mockup
All aspects of the kiosk had to be designed with cultural preservation in mind. The words used in the design of the skin are words that members of the Gullah Geechee Community felt most connected to and represented them best. Some words appear larger than others as the frequency of these words were more common when interviewed. The photo used in the skin was taken on site in the location the kiosk is placed in and acts as a strong background to contain these meaningful words. The kickplate at the bottom of the structure is not only for aesthetics but adds more rigid support and balance to the structure.
Original Blueprint
A kiosk structure, designed with accessibility in mind, where the tv casing pivots from a 65 degree angle to 90 degrees to accommodate users in a wheelchair or seated position. The structure stands 32.5” high, 25.25” wide and 9” deep. An aluminum kick plate is used for added stability and overall design. Inside the base houses a flat screen tv, mac mini, and backup battery. This system will offer a virtual experience for users to explore the intended location in an attempt to further educate users about Gullah Geechee Culture. The locations include, Plantersville, Murells Inlet, Sandy Island, John’s Island, and St. Helena Island.
Final Installation
In order to start production of the kiosk, we met with industry leaders in museum kiosk building to gain insight on how to proceed. One of the most important things we considered was accessibility. We needed the kiosk to be viewed at multiple height ranges so that children, adults and wheelchair users could engage with the structure. Adding a mount for headphones so those with vision impairment could listen along was another feature, as well as adding subtitles for those that have hearing impairment.
The other major concern when designing the structure was cost and sustainability. Since the kiosk would be placed in locations that were open to the public, it would not generate a revenue to help pay for the costs associated with production. We had limited grant money and had to design using limited materials and labor.
Other Proposed Blueprints
As seen above, the kiosk underwent many versions and variations to achieve effective communication and satisfied project parameters. In the end, the above version was not chosen as the final product as it was limited to one viewing height and did not account for cost stipulation as it used too much material.
To pair with the kiosk, a Gullah Geechee Community Passport is a supplemental information booklet that users can pick up when the visit a kiosk location. Viewers are encouraged to earn a sticker after visiting and learning from each location and “collect them all” in their passport.
IGGAD 22 Conference swag, featuring a mask, and button designs. Hosted by the Charles Joyner Institute for Gullah and African Diaspora Studies and The Athenaeum Press, IGGAD, or International Gullah Geechee and African Diaspora Conference examines the historical migration and culture surrounding the Gullah Geechee corridor in South Carolina.