Sanjana.

Fireside Interactive

Wildfire Simulation Exhibit

Project overview

The problem

Wildfires are increasingly frequent and deadly, but traditional safety education (brochures, lectures) can't convey the dynamic, chaotic nature of how fires actually spread. People leave not understanding the variables that make fires unpredictable.

What I did

Designed the UX for an interactive wildfire simulation exhibit — a 3D topographic table with real-time projections. The challenge was making complex fire science feel approachable for families, educators, and first-timers.

The outcome

A three-mode interactive experience — Learn, Simulate, Act — displayed at public science events. Users could see fire spread in real time, adjust environmental variables, and deploy suppression tactics on a physical 3D terrain.

Key outcomes

1

Designed for audiences ages 8–80 with no prior wildfire knowledge

2

Three distinct interaction modes with clear entry points

3

Deployed at public science events and community centers

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