About

Welcome to the first of a list of retrospective posts covering approximately 20 years of intermittent development of the concept behind the The Talking Walls; a rich visual interpretation of the architectural time-slices of a cultural heritage site.

As a visitor to many architectural heritage sites, I found historical information considerably lacking in my areas of interest. The snippets of what was deemed relevant on boards not able to be read for the crowd stood in front, the lack of ‘story’ regarding past inhabitants, the portrayal of a single moment in time all left me feeling there was so much else that could be offered to bring the building alive and engage a deeper interest.

As my daughter grew up, engagement with these amazing national treasures highlighted the lack of choice in levels of information. We were seen as one, the same information read by two different age groups. Children were catered for in most properties with colouring, puzzles (i.e. find this object) and outside play areas, but if the child was a little older and interested in learning more about the site and its inhabitants, the offering was the same as for an adult. The adult information was aimed at a wide audience and missed the mark perhaps for those with a deeper interest.

It was from these frustrating experiences the concept evolved for one of the two final major degree projects. This was the ‘Dunster Castle’ project; the second project was a 3D virtual ‘ancient woodland tree trail’ game for Exbury Gardens, again based on wanting to know more as a visitor and see my daughter more engaged with history around her.

I hope you enjoy the posts as they evolve for the past, and the future.

Debs Wilson

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Mr WordPress

16/05/14 - 10.38am

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