We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer YiJun Jiang about their original and creative Mobile Exhibition design work. YiJun Jiang is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original mobile exhibition works.
YiJun Jiang ("YJ") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Saia 100 Year Museum Truck Mobile Exhibition. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
YJ : The main principle behind the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck design is to celebrate and educate the public about Saia’s century-long legacy in the trucking industry. The idea is to create a mobile exhibition that effectively communicates Saia's evolution and milestones through an engaging and interactive experience. The inspiration for the design stems from the rich history of the automotive and trucking industries in the United States. The truck draws from Saia’s transformation from a modest produce-selling business to a prominent logistics company, reflecting key historical events such as the Great Depression and the Motor Carrier Act of 1980. This historical journey is presented through a series of immersive exhibits and interactive elements that connect Saia’s past to its present and future, while also highlighting its impact on American trucking history.
YJ : The main focus in designing the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck was to create a compelling and interactive mobile exhibition that effectively conveys Saia's rich history and its significant role in the trucking industry. The key goals were: Immersive Storytelling: To transport visitors through Saia’s century-long journey, showcasing pivotal moments in its history and the broader context of the trucking industry. The design aims to engage visitors with a narrative that reflects Saia’s growth, achievements, and contributions. Interactive Engagement: To incorporate interactive elements that enhance the visitor experience, making history tangible and engaging. Features such as simulators, interactive signs, and hands-on exhibits are designed to capture attention and educate visitors in an engaging way. Educational Impact: To provide a comprehensive educational experience about Saia and the history of trucking. This includes displaying brand artifacts, historical advertisements, and interactive exhibits that offer insights into Saia’s evolution and the logistics industry. Nationwide Outreach: To travel across the country and reach a broad audience, engaging communities in various cities with the mobile museum. The design facilitates easy setup and operation at multiple locations, ensuring that the exhibition can effectively communicate its message wherever it goes.
YJ : The Saia 100 Year Museum Truck aims to travel across the country and reach a broad audience, engaging communities in various cities with the mobile museum to sustain its relevance and broaden its educational impact. By visiting multiple locations, the truck ensures that the exhibition can effectively communicate its message wherever it goes. This ongoing journey not only highlights Saia’s rich history but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the evolution of the trucking industry, continuously inspiring and educating diverse audiences throughout its tour.
YJ : Designing the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck took approximately 5 months from conceptualization to final design. This timeline included extensive research, historical fact-checking, and collaboration with experts to curate the exhibits. The design process also involved creating detailed plans for the truck's layout, interactive elements, and technological features, as well as coordinating with production teams to ensure the successful realization of the mobile museum.
YJ : The design was commissioned by Saia to commemorate their centennial anniversary and to celebrate their significant contributions to the trucking industry. Beyond the commission, the concept was inspired by the dynamic landscape of the American automotive and trucking industries. The design aimed to reflect Saia’s journey from a modest start to becoming a major logistics player, incorporating historical milestones and the broader context of trucking history. The inspiration also came from the desire to create an immersive and interactive experience that would make Saia’s legacy accessible and engaging to a wide audience.
YJ : The Saia 100 Year Museum Truck is a custom-designed project created specifically for Saia, and it is currently being used exclusively by them. The design is not being produced or used by any other company.
YJ : Designing the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck was driven by several key factors: The primary motivation was to commemorate Saia’s centennial anniversary. The desire to educate the public about Saia's evolution and the broader trucking industry inspired the creation of a mobile museum. A mobile museum was chosen to reach a wide and diverse audience across various locations. The design aimed to preserve and showcase Saia’s history in a way that is both engaging and informative.
YJ : The design of the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck was influenced by a variety of sources and design principles. The truck features versatile layouts that maximize the use of limited space. Additionally, inspiration was drawn from trends in interactive and immersive exhibit design, incorporating elements such as simulations, multimedia displays, and hands-on activities to enhance visitor engagement.
YJ : The target audience for the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck primarily includes: General Public: The mobile museum aims to engage a broad audience across various cities, including individuals interested in learning about trucking history and Saia’s contributions to the industry. Saia Customers and Partners: The design also targets Saia’s existing customers, partners, and stakeholders, offering them a deeper connection with the company and its history. Local Communities: The truck brings the museum experience directly to local communities, making it accessible to those who might not visit a stationary museum.
YJ : The museum is deeply intertwined with Saia's own 100-year history, reflecting the broader narrative of American trucking. It combines Saia's evolution with key moments in U.S. transportation history, offering a rich, contextual experience. Unlike typical static exhibits, this museum includes interactive elements such as a truck simulator with a live-streamed perspective, interactive signs, and a child-friendly pegboard. These features engage visitors in a dynamic and participatory manner. The design transforms a trailer into a fully functional museum with features like a 70-inch screen resembling a billboard, ambient sound systems, and detailed exhibits, all within the confines of a mobile unit.
YJ : The name "Saia 100 Year Museum Truck" was chosen to succinctly capture the essence and purpose of the mobile museum.
YJ : SketchUp is used for detailed design and layout planning of the truck’s interior and exterior. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop are used for designing the visual elements. For the physical construction of the truck, tools like CNC machines, laser cutters, and other fabrication equipment are used to create custom parts and features.
YJ : Transforming a truck into a fully functional museum on wheels is an innovative approach, allowing the exhibition to travel across the country and reach diverse audiences. This mobility extends the museum's reach far beyond a fixed location.
YJ : We work as a team. Graphic Designers, writers, 3D Modelers and Animators, Project Managers, and Fabricators and Construction Teams all contribute their expertise to ensure that every aspect of the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck is meticulously crafted and executed. This collaborative effort brings together diverse skills and perspectives.
YJ : Technology is central to the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck, driving its interactive exhibits, immersive simulations, and dynamic visual and audio experiences. It enhances visitor engagement through digital displays, interactive signage, and a sophisticated audio-visual system, while also ensuring operational efficiency with environmental controls and reliable backup systems.
YJ : Yes, the design of the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck is influenced by data and analytical research. We conducted extensive research into Saia’s history and the broader context of American trucking, analyzing audience demographics and interests to ensure the museum's content and interactive elements were engaging and educational. This data-driven approach informed the design and content, ensuring that the museum meets both educational goals and audience engagement needs.
YJ : During the design and realization of the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck, we faced several challenges, including the need to reconstruct and present historical content with limited original materials, ensuring accurate and engaging representation of Saia’s legacy. Additionally, integrating advanced interactive technologies into a confined mobile space required careful planning and adaptation. Balancing historical accuracy with interactive elements and managing the logistics of a nationwide tour presented further complexities that required innovative solutions and meticulous coordination.
YJ : We decided to submit our design to an international design competition to showcase the innovative aspects of the Saia 100 Year Museum Truck and gain broader recognition for our work. The competition provided an opportunity to highlight our unique approach to mobile exhibition design, engage with a global audience, and receive feedback from industry experts. Submitting the design allowed us to celebrate the project's success, demonstrate our commitment to excellence, and connect with other professionals in the field.
YJ : I gained insights into managing the complexities of designing within a constrained mobile space, balancing functionality with engaging aesthetics. Additionally, I improved my skills in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and leveraging research to inform design decisions, all of which contributed to enhancing both my design expertise.
YJ : Beyond its innovative design and interactive features, the museum truck plays a crucial role in engaging diverse audiences across the country. By traveling to 34 cities and covering over 11,000 miles annually, it not only educates the public about Saia’s rich history but also raises awareness of the broader trucking industry and its evolution.
