Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

The Pen is an interactive tool that facilitates exploration in the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Part of a carefully curated user experience, the Pen is used in conjunction with motion detection devices to navigate the museum's vast collection. Visitors can browse the digital archive by drawing with their Pen, or by using Kinect to search for objects that match their movements. The Process Lab allows visitors to design improvements to everyday objects, while the Immersion Room lets visitors select wallpaper swatches from the museum's collection, or make their own. Using the Pen, visitors can save items and designs, which they can later retrieve online. By offering context and personalisation, Cooper Hewitt transcends the traditional museum model.