Transition Objekte

AR Exhibition Design Project

Transitionobjekte is an experimental augmented reality (AR) exhibition project developed from a doctoral dissertation. The research and development process was initially conducted for one year at Humboldt University of Berlin and was subsequently completed at Yıldız Technical University.

The project explores the experiences of people who migrated from Turkey to Germany through labour migration, focusing on the personal objects they carried with them and the memories, identities, and sense of belonging attached to these objects. The title Transitionobjekte is rooted in the concepts of liminality the state of being neither entirely “from here” nor “from there” and duality, reflecting the complex and layered identities shaped by migration.

Situated at the intersection of technology, experimental design, and exhibition design, the project investigates how emerging technologies can create alternative ways of accessing, experiencing, and transmitting cultural memory. Contemporary exhibition technologies, including augmented reality, interactive media, and digital storytelling, provide opportunities to transform archival and personal materials into immersive experiences.

The project aims to transfer the documents, letters, photographs, objects, and personal memories collected and preserved by Turkish immigrants in Germany across three generations to younger generations through an interactive and experimental exhibition presented in different cities across Turkey.

By bringing together personal narratives, historical materials, and AR technology, Transitionobjekte explores migration, hybrid identities, belonging, and national values within the context of Turkish migration to Germany. More broadly, the project investigates how exhibition design and emerging technologies can create new ways of preserving, experiencing, and transmitting collective memory across generations.

Responsibilities

Idea & Concept Development

Field Research

User Interviews & Semi-structured Surveys

Wireframing

Design Development

Iteration Based on User Feedback

Duration

18 Months

Project Team

Visual Design

Ceren Çalışkan Türel

3D Design

Merve Nur Akbayır

Coding & Animation

Oğuz Çağrı Kara

Exhibition Design & Interactive Experience

Exhibitions have evolved from simply displaying information into a multidisciplinary design practice that brings together architecture, visual communication, technology, and experience design.

Today, exhibition design focuses not only on presenting information, but also on creating interactive and meaningful experiences that allow users to explore and engage with content.

Within this context, Transitionobjekte explores how emerging technologies can reshape contemporary exhibition experiences. The project focuses on interculturalism and migration through the personal stories of Turkish immigrants who migrated to Germany as part of the labour migration movement.

Combining documentary content, personal narratives, multimedia, and interactive technologies, the project transforms historical materials into an experiential environment. The aim is not only to communicate information, but to create an engaging experience through which users can discover, interact with, and connect with stories of migration and cultural identity.

Project Gallery

Research & Field Study

The project explored the relationship between migration, culture, technology, and exhibition design.

I conducted a qualitative field study with 16 Turkish immigrant families across different cities in Germany. Through in-depth interviews with three generations, I investigated their migration experiences, memories, cultural values, and personal objects. Participants were recruited through social media and personal networks, and interviews were conducted both face-to-face and by telephone.

I analysed the interviews, photographs, documents, and personal materials to identify key themes and insights. These findings informed the content, information structure, and interaction design of the exhibition, helping transform personal stories into an interactive experience centred around migration, identity, and belonging.

Holistic Design

Beyond graphic and interactive solutions, the spatial layout of the exhibition was designed as an integral part of the experience. For example, sloped floors were used to represent the hardships and struggles experienced by migrants, creating a more holistic approach to the exhibition design.

The research approaches exhibition design as an interdisciplinary practice, highlighting the shift from conventional exhibition methods towards new forms of design shaped by emerging technologies.