By doing research I found out a lot about the Selfkant district, the target audience and ways in which historical themes can be presented in an interesting way. Design implications are formulated from this research.

After doing my research I came up with several concepts based on the different design implications and presented them to the target audience. The concept which has the most potential is further developed and extensively tested with the target audience. 

Different designs are being made. These are repeatedly presented to different test persons and changes are being made to the design. Eventually there is a final design that aligns best with the target audience, the client and the design implications. 

The final design is tested one last time with a high fidelity prototype. That will bring new insights and based on these, the last changes will be applied to the design. 

This is the first room visitors enter, marking the beginning of the story. Here, the narrative unfolds, detailing the events that transpired towards the end of World War II in Selfkant, as well as the the consequences leading to its annexation by the Netherlands in 1949, a few years later. The room mostly serves as an information hub, rich with visuals that amplify historical insights. Additionally, it offers the opportunity to showcase artifacts, including essential documents that hold significance within this period of Selfkant's history.

This room is  designed to offer informative insights and narrate the stories of the inhabitants from the  year 1949, when Selfkant underwent annexation by the Netherlands. Upon entering the room, your attention will be drawn to the timeline on the right, which outlines the significant events that occurred around the year 1949. This engaging timeline incorporates both textual descriptions and accompanying visuals. To the left, you'll find two phone booths housing phone books and functional pay phones. As a visitor, you're encouraged to step into these phone booths, where you'll discover that the phone books contain a diverse array of profiles, each containing information about various inhabitants. Furthermore, you have the opportunity to dial these phone numbers, and in doing so, you'll be treated to a collection of distinct stories from that era, shared firsthand by the inhabitants themselves.

During the approximate year of 1953, Selfkant experienced a significant influx of smuggling activities. To offer a firsthand experience, I recreated a border crossing that allows visitors to explore the various facets of this forbidden trade. Within this setup, visitors have the opportunity to engage with different exhibits, each shedding light on the methods people employed for smuggling and the specific items that were illicitly transported.
For instance, visitors can delve into the trunk of a car, uncovering a display that educates them about one of the numerous tactics utilized to transport goods across the border. Notably, this period witnessed a proliferation of contraband consisting largely of household products. To provide deeper insight, there's an interactive pantry where visitors can open doors to discover and learn about the diverse range of smuggled goods.
Furthermore, the exhibit includes a collection of clothing items on display, showcasing how individuals ingeniously concealed items within garments to transport them across the border. This approach ensures that visitors gain a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted world of smuggling during that era.

This room is designed to transport visitors back to the year 1963. Within it, I've  recreated a living room that mirrors the aesthetics of that era. Here, visitors are provided with diverse ways to immerse themselves in the historical context surrounding the end of the annexation.
Among the interactive elements, visitors can engage with a wall-mounted newspaper stand where they can retrieve and read newspapers. These newspapers contain an array of articles from the specific time period, as well as other informative pieces and visual materials that were relevant at the time.
Additionally, the room features a television showcasing a series of videos featuring local residents telling about their personal experiences and memories of the annexation's end. These stories from the inhabitants help us understand this very important time in history better. They make the past feel real and interesting.

The last room tells the story of the district's inception in 1969. It also features information about the Westzipfelpunkt, the westernmost point of Germany, and an interactive wall that illustrates life in a border area.
Aspects such as crossing the border for work or to visit family aren't ordinary for people who don't reside near a border.The inhabitants of the Selfkant district, situated near the German-Dutch border, often don't solely identify with Dutch or German identities. Given these intriguing dynamics, I aim to offer visitors a glimpse into life near the border.
To achieve this, I require insights from the Selfkant district's residents. A form will be sent to them, inviting them to answer various questions such as: 'What do you find unique about living in a border area?' Once completed, the forms can be affixed to the wall in the experience center. This inclusive approach engages the inhabitants in the project and encourages them to visit. Simultaneously, visitors gain insights into the diverse aspects of residing near a border.
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