Samantha Heinrich

The Override Guide is an interactive book that allows you to experience the Convergence Station at your own pace, anywhere and anytime. You can explore hidden features and translate secret languages using the augmented reality app, OvAR. It also contains exclusive Meow Wolf soundtracks and information about the artists behind the exhibit.

Meow Wolf would like MaCher, in collaboration with SMC IxD, to create a product that allows patrons to bring a little piece of Meow Wolf home. Meow Wolf has yet to venture into Augmented reality and is interested to see where they could go with it. Macher needs the product to align with its sustainability focus.

Visitors tend to only scratch the surface of the exhibit’s narrative by physically being there. One day, let alone a few hours, is not enough to fully explore and experience the Meow Wolf exhibits. And considering the limited locations, these exhibits are not easy for people to visit or revisit, especially those who do not live in the locality. People have also expressed their curiosity wanting to know more behind-the-scenes details, such as the artists and music that plays in the exhibit. However, the music is all original soundtracks and cannot be easily found online.

Based on our team's qualitative research, we conceptualized a thoughtful solution that matches the client's brand identity and meets the audience's overarching needs and pain points. We decided to create an immersive literature experience that serves as memorabilia and an opportunity to learn more about Meow Wolf post-visit.

The SMC IxD program and CicLAvia partnered together to identify, create, and design ways to get community members excited and engaged in their community. The team created a large-scale mobile map to provide CicLAvia participants with a visual understanding of their location and enlighten them about neighborhood businesses to check out. The map also helped participants locate local hot spots and gems by enabling volunteers to spread the word about favorite areas along the route, which may have yet to be highlighted on the CivLAvia website.

When planning a CicLAvia event, organizers will go door-to-door through specific communities—and for many people, it’s hard to understand what the event is (and isn’t). For example, many people consider the event a closure of the community, with many businesses not fully grasping the benefit of staying open. What are some ways to explain the benefits of the event to the locals to ensure maximum participation?

During the research phase, our team discovered that participants at the CicLAvia Heart of LA needed access to a map to help them navigate the route and find open businesses. The map created an opportunity to have conversations with eventgoers to help them explore new places within their community. The map acted as a focal point for participants to access community information and will enable businesses an opportunity to advertise in the future.

A travel map will help even volunteers engage with participants along the route by helping those who may miss what the community has to offer. The travel map fosters communication with participants and enriches their knowledge of the interactive points and local businesses along the route that otherwise may not be on the main map.