Smart Cities, Wyndham Tech School

Through a series of discovery workshops, we gathered valuable insights from both the Tech School facilitators and the Smart Cities office. These discussions provided a comprehensive understanding of the facilitators’ perspectives, classroom dynamics, and program requirements, as well as the Smart Cities office’s ideas and needs.

Following the initial workshop, we conducted a second round of discussions to refine the project’s direction and subject matter. This iterative process helped shape the project’s design stages as outlined below:

Concept Development: Initial digital artwork design, software development, and prototype creation.

Digital Artwork Development: Continued refinement of digital artwork with stakeholder workshops to ensure alignment.

Spatial Design Phase: Designing the space for optimal student use, determining accessibility, and shaping the projection surface.

Software and Experience Design: Development of software, user experience, and audio-visual elements.

Hardware Profiling: Identifying and selecting the right equipment for a high-quality, permanent installation.

Spatial Audio Composition: Collaborating with a composer to create a tailored Quadraphonic audio score for the experience.

Implementation and Project Management: Overseeing the installation of A/V equipment and coordinating with builders for project execution.

This structured approach ensures a well-rounded and effective design process, addressing all key aspects from the initial concept to the final implementation.

The project exemplifies and exceeds the criteria for good design by integrating key attributes such as functionality, accessibility, aesthetics, safety, quality, and sustainability. Functionality is achieved through a hands-on, engaging educational experience that aligns with future workforce needs. By utilising real-world smart city data, students gain practical insights into decision-making processes, making the project highly relevant and impactful.

Accessibility is enhanced through a physical 3D printed model of Watton Street, making complex data visualisation approachable for students with varying tech savviness. Aesthetics are prioritized with high-quality motion graphics, vibrant artwork, and a thoughtfully designed projection surface, creating a visually stimulating environment.

Safety is seamlessly integrated, with a robust physical space designed for class settings and group interaction and a controlled simulation environment ensuring a secure learning experience. Quality is evident through the meticulous development process, involving co-creation workshops and iterative prototyping, resulting in a polished, reliable educational tool.

Sustainability is woven into the project by promoting smart city planning principles and encouraging students to consider the impact of their decisions. On local residents, local business and festival attendees

The user experience is holistic and high-quality, featuring both idle and simulation modes to cater to different learning scenarios. The idle mode continuously educates by visualizing real-time data trends, while the simulation mode offers dynamic, scenario-based activities. Its modular design allows educators to customize the experience.

This project sets a new benchmark for design excellence in Victoria, showcasing innovative technology, a collaborative approach, and significant educational impact. Its scalable and adaptable design makes it a model for broader application across Australia and internationally.

By engaging the local community and connecting with smart cities office, it highlights the broader societal benefits and fosters a culture of informed decision-making and sustainable urban development, effectively communicating the benefits of investing in professional design.

The project tackles the challenge of engaging high school students with data in a fresh, innovative way. By creating an interactive and hands-on learning experience, it showcases how smart city data can be applied to urban planning, making data both meaningful and exciting. This approach addresses the need to prepare and inspire students interest in a data-driven workforce by equipping them with practical skills and insights into decision-making.

A key innovation is the way the project engages students collectively in real-time simulations. This creates a dynamic, interactive classroom experience where students must collaborate, make decisions, and adapt their strategies based on immediate feedback. Such a setup turns abstract concepts into tangible, real-world applications, making learning both practical and captivating.

The project’s uniqueness lies in its integration of advanced technologies. Combining real-time smart city data with interactive simulations offers a groundbreaking educational approach. In simulation mode, students take on roles as smart city planners, making decisions based on local data. This gamified experience not only makes learning enjoyable but also provides a hands-on understanding of how data impacts urban planning.

The design is user-centered, reflecting the needs and interests of students. Through co-creation workshops, the project ensures the educational experience is tailored to various learning styles. The modular nature of the simulation mode allows for customization, addressing diverse class requirements and goals.

In summary, the project stands out for its innovative educational approach, unique technological integration, and user-centered design. It sets a new standard for educational tools by providing an engaging, hands-on learning experience that inspires students for a data-driven career pathways.

The project has made a significant impact, engaging thousands of students and countless teachers by providing valuable insights into smart city planning and the practical application of data. This innovative educational tool fosters a generation of future data industry professionals inspired to work with data, addressing the need for skilled individuals in the evolving workforce.

Socially, the project enhances educational outcomes by offering an interactive and relevant learning experience. The immersive simulation encourages teamwork and critical thinking as students make decisions based on real-time data. This hands-on approach not only enriches their learning experience but also motivates them to consider careers in data science and related fields, addressing future workforce needs.

From an environmental perspective, the project aligns with Circular Economy principles. By using smart city data, it encourages students to consider sustainable urban development and the environmental impact of their decisions. The physical 3D model and interactive simulations are designed to be durable and reusable, minimizing waste and supporting sustainable learning practices.

Commercially, the project underscores the value of investing in professional design. It demonstrates how high-quality, innovative educational tools can be both effective and engaging, benefiting the client and showcasing the potential of design-driven solutions. This investment in professional design highlights the importance of design processes in creating impactful and sustainable solutions.

The project significantly enhances Victoria’s reputation and status in design and creative culture. By setting a new benchmark for educational tools, it underscores Victoria’s commitment to innovation and excellence in design. The positive feedback and successful implementation amplify the importance of professional design, promoting its broader adoption both within Victoria and internationally. This project exemplifies how investing in design can lead to effective, sustainable, and commercially viable solutions across various sectors.