Description of the contract
Techniquest animation software development brief
Techniquest, based in Cardiff, Wales, is the UK's longest established science centre. Our mission is to embed science in Welsh culture through interactive engagement. We offer interactive experiences that are accessible to all, and that have been enjoyed in its centre by over 5 million people since its inception in Cardiff in 1986.
Techniquest’s central strategy is to refresh and renew its visitor experience, and we want to develop animation software that will allow new and established audiences to interact within the exhibition space in a new and innovative manner.
We are now seeking to commission an experienced, creative contractor to collaborate with us on the software and user interface of an animation based interactive exhibit.
Animation Interactive
The software will form part of a project that will see Techniquest iterate and improve on its pre-existing animation interactive, Animate It, to create an as yet undefined number of animation stations within the exhibition space.
Animate It invites the user to sit at a large interactive exhibit platform that houses a camera, a monitor displaying real time images, buttons that allow the visitor to capture a single frame as well as move the final film forward and backwards at various speeds, and an area within which to create animations using supplied figures etc.
In its current iteration the exhibit is designed to introduce the user to stop-motion animation although this may not be the sole focus of the newly developed interactive.
We are now seeking creative proposals to further develop this exhibit concept, taking advantage of recent developments in technology and digital media.
While the project deliverables are solely for software elements, close collaboration with Techniquest’s production team, who will be responsible for all associated hardware and cabinetry work, will be essential.
Objectives
This software will allow visitors to film, edit and share their creations during their visit to Techniquest. We are seeking creative proposals which will identify additional engaging, innovative and exciting features which will appeal to our visitors. Examples of likely key functions of this software include (but should not be limited to):
• Allowing visitors to develop and capture their animations created within the exhibition.
Key audiences for primary interaction with this software are:
o Parents and adult carers of young children
o Teachers
o Older children from the ages of 11 upwards
o Independent adults
• Encouraging the sharing of creations via traditional social media platforms.
• Allowing content to be added, edited and uploaded outside of Techniquest.
• Build on the pre-existing animation interactive designed and developed by Techniquest.
Techniquest is also looking for the provider to assist Techniquest in identifying and procuring the most cost effective hardware with which the software will integrate.
We welcome proposals that identify features that will further enhance this interactive exhibit.
We envisage developing a detailed brief in consultation with the contractor, and are looking for creative concepts in response to this brief, however the following requirements are key:
• Bilingual – the software must accommodate both English and Welsh languages
• Hosting – the software will be linked to Techniquest’s main website
• Updatable – the software must be maintainable by core Techniquest staff to ensure it is up to date and
• Consistent with the visual identity of Techniquest’s new website, to be launched in its first phase in early 2017
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