Experience Narrative
The Artistic journey Beyond the Curtain, examines the artistic displays of illusion that made David Copperfield one of the most profitable and well known magicians. It is a collection of his top ten most notable works that each represents a key point in his career, leading to his success as an artist. Explore the arts of magic as you take a journey into the past, before the Internet into the age of the 21st century. Learn the history of the “Living Legend”, what inspired him, and how David Copperfield became a winner of twenty-one Emmy Awards, eleven Guinness World Records, and the most profitable magician in recorded history in the world.
A Visual Walk-Through
When you enter the gallery, you’re greeted by a central podium featuring a hanging illusion that forms the image of David Copperfield. It’s made from many smaller photographs that come together as one, setting the tone for what’s ahead. From there, you move through the gallery in a clear chronological path, following Copperfield’s story from childhood to worldwide fame.
Each exhibit booth includes a rotating screen that shows the act in motion, a plaque explaining the history behind it, and a physical piece from the illusion itself. Sometimes it’s an entire set element, and other times it’s a single part of a much larger production. After exploring his life and career, you transition into a section that highlights what David is creating today. Here, interactive displays invite you to experience the modern museum and learn a few secrets about the art of illusion.
Throughout the gallery, vivid color, reflective surfaces, and carefully placed lighting immerse you in the mechanics of magic. As you move through the space, you’ll see just how easily an illusion can change with something as simple as a fingerprint.
User Testing, UX Research
The full UX journey for the interactive exhibit. The data-flow diagrams outline how visitors move through the card-based menu, showing the intended pathways and how each choice guides them deeper into the experience. The quiz flow demonstrates the interaction pattern once users enter an activity, highlighting pacing, question structure, and moments designed to keep engagement high. The user-testing section brings the process full circle by showing how real participants of different ages and backgrounds responded to the design. Their observations reveal where the interface felt intuitive, where clarity was lacking, and what changes improved accessibility and ease of use. Altogether, these elements show a complete UX process: planning the flow, building the interaction, testing with real users, and refining the experience based on what actually worked.
This was a class project for college, done during my Junior Year.
