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GRAPHIC DESIGN

PROJECT

Digital Totem

CLIENT

American Museum of Natural History

YEAR

2019

TEAM

Direction: Hélène Alonso
UX/UI Design: Mol Crickman
Development: Nick Bartzokas

RESULTS

Addressed First Nation concerns
Increased number of artifacts on display by 150%
Increased engagement with Northwest Coast Hall
Increased artifact discoverability

OVERVIEW

A Modern Tribute to Traditional Storytelling

The Digital Totem honors the tradition of the totem pole by weaving together first-person storytelling, sounds, places, objects, and the voices of tribe members into an interactive installation and mobile app. This immersive experience invites visitors to explore the rich cultural history of the Pacific Northwest in a dynamic and engaging way.

Faced with the challenge of displaying the vast collection of Northwest Coast artifacts—and responding to feedback from First Nations visitors who felt the exhibit framed Indigenous cultures as relics of the past—the American Museum of Natural History took action. A dedicated team collaborated with leaders and consulting curators from 10 Native Nations of the PNW to authentically document the region’s living culture.

Inspired by this collaboration, the Digital Totem emerged as an innovative solution, allowing museum visitors to engage with a deeper and more accurate portrayal of contemporary Native life while preserving the tradition of storytelling in a modern, interactive format.