I am currently in Saigon, Vietnam, and visited the War Remnants Museum, a very powerful experience! As I am walking through the Museum I keep noticing small issues that are easily changed, but have a large impact on the visitor experience such as lighting, wayfinding and heights of graphic panels. Recently I have completed an exhibition audit for the Mobius Science Center preview facility. The Review included:
Interviews with visitors
Mapping of the visitor experience
Review of exhibition lighting
Suggestions for changes to visitor flow
Review of graphics
Review of wayfinding
Review of audio visual systems
Review of exhibition media
Review of exhibit maintenance and repair program
A review of the mix of types of exhibit, static, highly interactive, simple manipulatives
A written report containing, recommendations for changes
If you are interested in a $1000 objective exhibition audit send me an email;
“Mission Statement: To develop an understanding and appreciation of the cultural heritage and natural history of the Lowcountry through exhibits, hands-on experiences, tours, and a wide range of educational programs for people of all ages.”
My Review:
I love going to museums with my niece and nephew, first because I love spending time with them and second because they are the perfect ages, 5 and 7 years old. I have a pet peeve about museums / visitor centers that appear to have run out of money when it comes to the exhibits. The building in beautiful, the grounds are perfect and then you get inside the building and wonder, “where’s the beef”?
The Coastal Discovery Museum is such a place, there is only one interactive station and 8 large text panels and little else. “How can this happen?” (rhetorical question, the answer is: “poor project management”).
At some point (usulally six month before opening), someone realizes that the museum building is under construction, the landscaping is being planted; but “what are people going to do inside the building?”. Then, I receive a phone call and it usually starts with, “We are opening our visitor center in six months and we would like some suggestions on the best type of exhibits? ”. I politely answer the question then start to ask my own questions, “how long before the building is complete?”, “Who is your audience?”, “What is your budget?”, “How much money do you have left for exhibits?” (often the answer is “none”).
Don’t let your building and grounds drive your project, people will not visit a museum just to see the building, plan your project from the point of view of the visitor, “what is the visitor going to do?”. I often refer to it as the “parking lot conversation”; when people have finished with their visit to your museum/visitor center/science center what will they be talking about? My advice is design to the “parking lot conversation”.
Summary
Not enough interactive exhibits (only one)
Too much text
Needs exterior signage
Parking confusing
Exterior wayfinding
Museumplanner
museumplanner.org is run by Mark Walhimer, Managing Partner of Mark Walhimer Exhibition Design an exhibition design and museum planning company.
Mark is available for consultations. Feel free to contact him by email at mark@walhimer.com.
