THE
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART Incorporating Design and Technology into the Museum Experience: The New Audio Guides Theodore Allegrini, Justin Besson, Nayana Malhotra, Miri Meischberger, and Chia Schmitz Design At The Edge Spring 2010
The Question: How can we improve the museum experience by enhancing the information technology currently used at museums?
how are people using them? how do they work? what was the final outcome?
The Research:
Tag-Alongs/Participant Observation,Videos, Photos, Interactions, Extreme Users & Interviews
Information points were not synchronised to allow for a seamless experience.
1.
Plaques are the main source of information and offer little to the museum experience.
2.
Other information was compartmentalized into brochures, posters, etc. and information was lost or hard to find.
Current audio guides are complicated to use and require excessive instructions for simple tasks. 1.
Required instructional manuals.
2.
Did not use intuitive symbols or visual cues.
3.
Not being utilized for special exhibitions and had limited usability for foreign speakers [ prime users ].
We observed a disconnect between user’s audio and visual experience. 1.
People were not reaping the full potential of the audio guides due to confusion.
2.
Many abandoned audio guides because it was burdensome to use.
The current audio guide is not adaptable to individual needs. 1.
In an attempt to be universal the guides failed to address specific needs of different user groups.
2.
Often, many users brought their own tools: cameras, cell phones and other guides for their museum experience.
The Problems: Isolative Unintuitive Bulky Not Integrative Not Flexible Archaic Unengaging
The Inspiration:
The Solution:
Intuitive
Informative
Visual
Flexible
Our Solution: An intuitive interface that is easy to access on multiple devices and adaptable to different museums. We focused first on developing individual elements that would help the user navigate the space and provide them with the tools to have a better museum experience.
Intuitive:
The guide structure allows for easy navigation and clear understanding no matter what language you speak.
Informative:
The guide provides the user with a comprehensive variety of information.
Visual: The guide provides visual cues that the user can interact with directly.
Back
Information
Search
Favorites
Back
Information
Search
Favorites
Flexible:
The guide allows users to create their own experience.
Future Developements: Syncing to other devices creating community. Connectivity to other platforms creating a network database.
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