Since the introduction of the iPad, we’ve certainly seen some inventive ways people have come up with to make the most of the innovative tablets. From simple things like hanging them up on the backs of seats in the car to entertain the little ones to really cool looking battle-wound Halloween costumes.
After William Coburn, a designer with nClosures (a design, engineering, and manufacturing company, based in the U.S., with a focus on creating tablet stands and cases), showed his colleagues a video of a professor making an aluminum cast of an ant colony, the team got to thinking. They wanted to find ways to use iPads in an inventive way, while also teaching.
The result is what you see above. It’s one part art installation, one part educational tool. The company constructed tall double-helix DNA models, each of which holds multiple iPads. On the screens of each iPad are images and information about DNA, so people walking by can learn as they admire.
What’s even better is that viewers are invited to interact with the installation. Without a doubt, hands-on exhibits always draw in more people and, as a result, serve as much more successful educational tools.
We also noticed a mock-up on the company’s site, which depicted a tree-like structure; at the end of its multiple branches were iPads. It’s not a stretch to assume that, similar to the DNA model, this sculpture, if it is built, will serve to teach people about trees and nature.
We love the intertwining of art and education, and the way nClosures pulled it off is both beautiful and useful.
What type of installation would you want to see created next? The company invites anyone to offer up suggestions.
