Giovanni Nappo & Katja Ronkanen

presents

Where magic happens

We designed a museum for children based on Magic and Illusion. We called it Abracadabra. Abracadabra is an incantation used as a magic word in stage magic tricks, and historically was believed to have healing powers when inscribed on an amulet. The word is thought to have its origin in the Aramaic language, in which ibra means “I have created” and k’dibra which means “through my speech”, providing a translation of abracadabra as “created as I say”, thus its use in magic.

Abracadabra: a magic exhibit.“I have created through my words”

The target audience is mainly for children from 9 to 11 years old.

We took the approach of teaching magic tricks to the visitors because we want to give not only a fun experience but also an educational one. Teaching how the tricks are done is a very valuable way to understand that physic and math can be used to fool the human mind, and so this can push children to get more excited a about these subjects

While designing we decided to give priority to some criterias such as the importance to have a safe environment, a lot of interactivity, simple and easy access to all the areas, creating an enthusiastic and

According our research, we found out that magic can be divided in many areas. We decided to focus on this aspects: mathemagic, optical illusion, sleight of hand and history of magic and oath of secrecy.

While designing we decided to give priority to some criterias such

as the importance to have a safe environment, a lot of interactivity, simple and easy access to all the areas, creating an enthusiastic and engaging atmosphere.

Floor plan First floor

0.5m

1.0m1.5m ENTRANCE

EXIT

STAGEMATHEMAGIC

OPTICAL ILLUSIONROOM

SLEIGHT OF HANDROOM

1.5m

VANISHING CABINET

SIGN

VANISHING CABINET

TOUCH SCREEN

ENTRANCE/EXIT

TABLE

TABLE

TABLETABLE

LIFT

STAIRS

BENCH

SIG

NBENCH

BENCH

TOUCH SCREEN

TOUCH SCREEN

TOUCH SCREEN

TOUCH SCREEN

MIRROR

TOU

CH

SCREENTO

UCH

SCREEN

TOU

CH

SCREEN

FLOORSCREEN

Floor plan Second floor

PICTURE

ROOM

CRAFTROOM

DIPLOMA ROOM

HISTORYROOM

BENCH BENCH BENCH BENCH

BENCHBENCH

LIFT

STAIRS

TABLE TABLE

TABLE

TOU

CH

SCREEN

TOUCH SCREEN

TOUCH SCREEN

MA

GIC

IAN

TIM

ELIN

E

HOLOGRAMHOLOGRAM

HOLOGRAM

HOLOGRAM

CHAIR

SIGN

CAMERA CAMERA

CAMERA

CAM

ERA

CHAIR

CHAIRCHAIR

0.5m

1.0m

1.5m

Floor plan Some numbers.

9,44

m

Main entrance/exit length: 3 meters Walls: about 20cm thickMirror floor screen length: 0,50 cmThe vanishing cabinet: 1.5m x 1.5mLift: 1.5 m x 1.5mBench: 1,5m x 0,50cmDoors length: about 2 meters Holograms length: about 1 meterTables lenght: 1x1m Stage performances length: 4 meters Wallscreens length: about 1,20 metersTimeline length: 6,30 metersChairs photo room: 0,50 cmDirection signage length : 0,50 cmStairs length: about 1,25 meters

1 feet = 0.3 m

50 feet =15.24 m30 feet = 9,44 m

9,44m

15.24m

Entrance & exitThe magic hat.

The entrance has a top hat-shape, because it is an iconical sign related to magic and illusion. In this way childrend would feel more attracted and curios to go get into. A wall signage outisde the exibihit would guide the visitors. From here visitors can get help from the Abracadabra musuem employees, which will be happy to show tricks or answer questions all around the musuem. The hall has a directional sign which will direct the visitors towards the first interactive component the “Vanishing Cabinet”, an horizontal lift where the groups will be “driven” in the first room (Mathemagic) through a “shaking path”. This will give the illusion to be disappearing from one palce and appear to another completely different. The hall environment is mainly dark to give a misterious atoshpehere.

Mathemagic More than numbers.

This area is dedicated to magic tricks that are based on numbers and math. The visitors can learn different kinds of tricks using the touch screens and then try them out using the tables, which are build with a mirror on the top, to allow the user how he/she is performing. Materials like cards, dices etc will be available from a top-hat shaped basket nearby the table. Also, on the right corner of the room, is placed a floor-touch screen, which allow visitors to play using their foot. The game is called “Find the Magic Number” which displays several games based on math. There are red curtain above the exit door.

1.5 m

The second room is dedicated to tricks using illusions. The visitors can again learn tricks using the touch screens and perform on the table choosing tools on their top-hat shaped basket. On the way to the next room, visitors can interact with a free-standing-mirror that doesn’t’ show the reflection of the person looking at it, but will show the reflections of the people behind the person. This is possible using a tracking camera which will detect from a certain distance the shape of the viewer, “deleting” it from the scenario. The exit door will present a mirror and will be opened by movement sensors.

Illusion Strange - but true.

On this room, the visitors will be able to explore tricks made by using the hands. Due the level of difficulties of these tricks, a larger number of employees will be present to help the visitors. Also, this is the last room before the “Magic Theatre”, where visitors can be involved on the stage.

Sleight of handBe amazed.

Magic Theatre Magic happens.

This space is dedicated to live performance made by professional magician. A free-standing sign is placed before the entrance (just after the sleight of hand room) and will display schedule (one each half-an-hour) with the show descriptions. A number of benches is available for the visitors to assist to the show. This is the last room of the first floor.

Craft room Dress well.

1.5 m

This is the first room of the second floor and the entrance has a movement detector which sprays smokes to create suspance. Here is where the visitors starts their path towards becoming a real magician. They will be able to craft out of paper their own top-hat and magic wands. In support of the touch screen explanations, employees will be helping and showing how to do it. A light-floor path guides the visitor on the right direction and amuse them with effects.

Picture room Smile.

1.5 m

This is where visitors can take pictures of themselves as magician, wearing the paper-crafts made in the previous area (Craft room). A rack of clothes and tools is additionally placed in the room to allow the visitors to add elements to their outfits and look more “professional”. A sets of touch-screens with built-in cameras are available for the visitors to take the pictures by themselves. Optionally the visitors can have his picture taken by an employees which will digitally add a background.

History room Have a talk.

1.5 m

This is the biggest room of the exhibit and allows visitor to get in “touch” with famous magicians and learn about their history. There are 4 interactive holograms placed around the room, and each one present a touch-screen where the users can choose from a list of magicians and also voice-system which allows the visitors to communicate with the selected characters. In the end of the room, there is a huge screen showing the magic history timeline. Users can interact by touching the screens and get the information they wants. The screen it's so wide that it continues to the next and last room. The visitors exit the room through a “door” of smoke. The smoke is thick and there are lights pointed at it, so the visitors can't see to the other side.

Magic MirrorWait a minute...

1.5 m1.5 m

free-standing-mirror that doesn’t' show the reflection of the person looking at it, but will show the reflections of the people behind the person. This is possible using a tracking camera which will detect from a certain distance the shape of the viewer, “deleting” it from the scenario.

1.5 m

Diploma room The oath of secracy.

This is the final part of the exhibition. The visitors have now learned the basic magic tricks downstairs, and become true magicians with professional equipment. Now they are ready to sign the Oath of Secrecy. After passing trhough the “smoke wall” they will be amazed by seeing their picture that they took before, on the big screen, showing them on the current year as new magician. Basically they will be a part of the magic history timeline. All the visitor will get a diploma which certify their new status as professional magician.

Logo Abracadabra identity.

We chose to use the top-hat because is an icon internationally recognised and linked to magic. Orange and red, vivid colors to impress childrends minds and catch their attention. Smooth and geometric shapes.

Flyers can be distribuited can be distributed inside the museum to attract visitors’attention towards the exibit.

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Where magic happens

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Magic MirrorA point of view.

The magic mirror is placed in the Illusion room. This is an interactive piece created by using tracking camera on a led-screen which simulate a mirror-effect. When a visitor is approaching this free-standing-installation, something unexpected will happen: the Magic Mirror will not reflect the image of the closest user but only of the ones behind him/her. The mirror changes randomly background colors and also has a screensaver options when unused for longer then 5 minutes. Surprise is a fundamental aspect of magic and illusion.

The MagicMirror

ThMaMirM

AbracadabraAbracad

Touch me

Touch screens are a vital part of the exibith.They can be found - almost - in each room. They are a guidline for visitors on how to perform tricks and understand the dynamics. Also, they are an engaging way where childrend can play games, answer questions and know more about the history of magic. Each touch screens has a different frame.

Touch screen Explore. Learn.

Touch

me

How many timescan you spellAbacadabra?

can yAbacAAAAAba

Banners Big friends.

1- One - Choose the magician

you want to interact with.

- Two - Shout Adacadabra

- Three - Have a talk.

Have a talk.

Instructions

Banners enhance the visibility of specific area or components of the exhibit, giving them a particular emphasis and intruct the users on how to interact with, giving some hints or instructions. Their dimension are considerable bigger then normal signage deliberately to give a better impact on the audience.

Abracadabra

Welcome

to Harry Houdinii

Signage Find your way.

A musuem without functional signage, would be like a maze. Even more when the target are children. Before designing we had to take into consideration few factors: basic graphics, readability, vivid colors, position and dimensions.

Next shows

9am - Sleightly Magical

9.30am - No Rabbits Allowed

10am - Illusions of Grandeur

Craft

r o om

Welcome. Your magic journey starts here.Please jump into thevanishing cabinet.Be amazed

Illustration Katja Ronkanen

Digital illustration Giovanni Nappo

Thank you.