The Tech Virtual

The Tech Virtual connects science and technology museums worldwide with a collaborative design platform for prototyping museum exhibits and even entire exhibitions. Project-based categories allow museum curators to focus the creative abilities of design students, scientists, experts, artists and volunteers towards delivering prototypes of interactive exhibits. The goal? Better exhibits delivered faster, and with a far more diverse foundation of expert design input. 

During 2008, the project successfully generated seven digital media exhibits for The Tech Museum, and concepts for dozens more.  In 2009, the project is on track to expand to include design of new digital arts exhibits and interfaces, generating ideas for the design-challenge educational program called "Tech Challenge", as well as an international search for new collaborative technologies called "Program for the Future".  Teen input has been found to be distinctly helpful in exhibit design, and the program has provided one intern with an ability to lead other teens in developing and honing these career-advancing internet and design skills.  

Using the latest in online collaborative software, The Tech Virtual serves as an international brainstorming workshop, prototyping lab, and meeting area.  In a central location, without travel expense, members can review exhibit ideas, network, build, and meet with designers.  Partnering with international museums and universities, the project is providing a valuable venue for contributors as well as an "open source" repository of rich ideas for curators that would never have been possible before.