Table for All
A proof-of-concept installation designed with Tinker Imagineers to explore how museums can engage visitors in difficult societal issues. The project addressed stigmas around refugees by inviting visitors to share conversations, fostering empathy and human connection.
Co-developed with Eva Neve, I focussed on research, concept development, filming and editing video's, and contributing to the design and build of the prototype.
About
My Role
When people are forced to flee unsafe situations, they often receive the label refugee—a word that carries stigmas and prejudice. Too often, this label overshadows the individual person, their story, and their humanity. Through conversation, however, common ground can be found, and the label begins to fade. You see each other as human beings, with strengths and vulnerabilities alike.
With this in mind, we designed “Table for All”, a proof-of-concept inviting people to sit down together and start those conversations. The installation encourages visitors to see refugees not as a label, but as individuals, fostering empathy and dialogue.
The project was developed in collaboration with Tinker Imagineers, an immersive experience design agency in Utrecht. Tinker challenged us with the following question:
"How do you actively engage museum audiences in social issues without losing the weight of the subject matter?"
Together with my fellow student, Eva Neve, we researched visitor engagement and developed the Path to Engagement tool. This framework helps determine what exhibitions need in order to spark genuine visitor participation and connection.
The Design Tool
We applied our research to FLUGT, a museum in Denmark built on the site of a former refugee camp. While FLUGT already used storytelling and atmosphere to build awareness, our analysis identified three missing elements: a moment of self-reflection, active visitor participation, and personalization to evoke empathy.
These insights guided the design of Table for All—a concept installation where visitors are invited to connect and share, creating space for empathy and dialogue.
Case Study
Proof of Concept
