Introduction
The goal of this project is to design an interactive museum exhibit with a theme of design or technological history, featuring at least 3 different interactive touch points to create an immersive and informational experience. In the process, we must also deploy a cultural probe to gather information during user research.
The theme of our exhibit is Victorian era methods of communication, creating an entertaining and engaging experience as patrons experience the Victorian life style. This exhibit prompts patrons to reflect on the evolution of communication as they interact with telegraphs, florigoraphy, letter writting and more
How do Victorians communicate daily?
To gain a comprehensive insight into the Victorian era, our group undertook secondary research, delving into various aspects such as Victorian communication systems and interior design. Setting clear goals, we utilized Miro to collaboratively curate an inspiration and idea board, refining the focus of our project. With the theme established, we conducted further in-depth research on communication methods prevalent during the Victorian period. Our exploration extended to architectural styles and decorations of the time to ensure the accuracy of our exhibit. Multiple rounds of research yielded valuable takeaways, unveiling that letters served as the primary communication mode. The telegraph emerged as the optimal means for long-distance messages, while stamps, flowers, and fans possessed secret languages. Contrary to our initial perception, the Queen Anne architectural style was rare, primarily found in America. The evolving prevalence of dyes and luxuries contributed to the era's vibrant and lavish decor, as illustrated in our ideation board showcasing various Victorian communication forms such as posters and floriography.
We used a sticky note board to idea dump the different plans we had for possible themes of our exhibit and the types of communication methods we wanted to feature.
Our groups ideation board, featuring the different forms of communication that were prevalent in the victorian time period such as posters and floriography.
Observations
Our team opted to conduct observations at two distinct exhibits on Purdue's campus with the aim of assessing valuable practices and insights that could enhance our project. Our goals centered on evaluating the design practices employed by these exhibits and extracting inspiration for touchpoints and elements within our own exhibit. During this process, key learnings emerged, emphasizing the importance of clearly indicating which exhibits are touchable—a lesson drawn from the Purdue University galleries where confusion arose. Additionally, the Robert L. Ringle Gallery's use of QR codes to generate an augmented reality (AR) experience with posters caught our attention, serving as a touchpoint that sparked ideation within our group for potential incorporation into our project.
We learned that the primary means of communication during the Victorian Era happened through letters. However, we wanted to know more information about communication in the modern age and how the activity of “letter writing” may be perceived and practiced today. Initially, we asked the broader question of how our generation communicates to not limit it to just letter writing. In the early stages of designing this exhibit, our guiding questions consisted of very broad questions that may take study over a lifetime to find answers to such questions.
These questions that asked what communication means to our generation, how different they are, and if it can come as novel were too broad to be answered nor were they helpful for bettering our specific musuem exhibit, after evaluating from peers’ feedback. Therefore, we narrowed back in to think about letter writing specificly because our exhibit will include that as one of the activities the users will engage in. We wanted to learn about how it might look like in today’s time period.
Probes and how we got there
In our exploration of modern-day communication practices, our team delved into the realm of penpalling—a resurgence in popularity observed around 2015, marked by enthusiasts using platforms like Penpal.me to connect with strangers for the exchange of handwritten letters. Recognizing the historical significance and literacy-promoting aspects of this activity, we sought to understand its contemporary manifestations. Deploying a cultural probe, we curated a physical kit containing letter-writing essentials, inviting participants to engage in the nostalgic art of composing handwritten letters. The kit included not only stationery but also guides to flower language and stamp angles, aiming to capture reactions and insights on various communication methods intended for our exhibit. By refining our guiding questions to focus on specific aspects of modern letter writing, such as recipients and content, we aimed to gather actionable insights that would inform the design of our interactive museum exhibit on Victorian-era communication.
For the letter writing probe, we meticulously crafted a hands-on experience that would resonate with our participants. The kit consisted of letter-writing papers, envelopes, stamps, and guides to flower language and stamp angles. Establishing a controlled yet engaging environment, we provided participants with clear instructions, guiding them to write one letter to a team member, simulating a connection with a known recipient, and two letters of their choice, allowing for more creative expression. This probe not only facilitated insights into contemporary letter-writing practices but also laid the foundation for our exhibit's interactive elements. As participants shared their sentiments through letters, we gained valuable perspectives on the nuanced aspects of communication, guiding us in refining our approach to letter writing within the larger Victorian-themed immersive experience.
deploying the probe
After evaluating, comparing and contrasting the data from our interviews, our group decided to create a layout for the current mental model of our user group. We took the most important aspects in order to find out the user groups motivations, their fears, their thoughts and ideals, so that we could make sure that we were designing with the right solutions in mind. One big idea was that many of the users were motivated by sociality and passion. They liked hanging out with others and stated that they wanted to be healthy, even though it was a bit difficult for them. Most of them also claimed that they were aware of the insurance health benefits since lots of jobs provide it, and admitted that this is most likely a reason why many people fake their steps. Research also supported the idea that middle-aged parents weren’t as motivated by body image as they were by nature and the outdoors.
When we created the current mental model of our user group, we also decided to list out characteristics that we wanted the refined mental model of our user group to be with this new product. A main point we brought up was that we wanted the users to be less motivated by money and external rewards, and more motivated by a need and want to be healthy and happy. We also knew that since they were very motivated socially, we wanted them to be able to encourage others to be healthy so that those that were encouraged would also encourage others as well, and it would be a positivity chain. A big aspect of our design was also nature, and so we wanted them to continue to be interesting and motivated by nature, and we overall wanted them to be more motivated and excited to reach their step goals.
differences between modern day & victorian communication
A closer look at how people communicated in modern times compared to the Victorian era revealed some interesting differences. Nowadays, conversations are polite and friendly, with letters usually filled with good wishes and positive vibes. Letters play a smaller role in our communication, and when they happen, they're usually more personal and directed towards close friends and family.
In the Victorian era, things were quite different. People relied heavily on letter-writing for all sorts of messages, both happy and not-so-happy. Letters weren't just for loved ones; they were sent to practically anyone, even strangers. This understanding led us to adjust our plans for the letter-writing activity in our exhibit. Instead of focusing on teaching Victorian English, we decided to highlight the variety of recipients and the different things people wrote about back then, enriching our ideas for the overall exhibit experience.
Musuem occupation
Our research journey into the Victorian era involved studying how people communicated and the design elements of that time. Using tools like Miro, we created boards to gather ideas and inspiration. We learned from observing exhibits at Purdue, understanding the importance of clear instructions and considering interactive elements like QR codes. Discovering Victorian communication, we found letters were prominent, the telegraph connected distanced messages, and secret languages adorned stamps, flowers, and fans. This influenced our approach, focusing on a more immersive exhibit about diverse Victorian communication methods. We also explored modern penpalling, learning it's revived and not just limited to historical practices. Comparing modern and Victorian communication, we noted differences in politeness, intimacy, and the prevalence of letter-writing in the past. This insight guided us to shift our exhibit focus to showcase the varied recipients and contents of Victorian messages rather than teaching specific Victorian writing styles.
ideation
In our first round of sketching, we were focused on integrating our methods of communications within a set of rooms that museum-goers can go through. We ideated names like the study (letters), the parlor (fans & flowers), and the post office (telegraph) which were typical parts of Victorian household and society. This round of sketching didn’t have enough stations to handle the number of participants our exhibit would have so when we moved on to creating the model, we changed these layouts to include different styles of stations that would let more people get involved. Our next iteration of sketches was the sims model. As it is a digital medium, it was much easier to create quick edits as our touch points evolved.
A final contribution we made to the app was a page titled “Nature Feed,” which is a social media aspect that allows users to view other’s walking paths and see how many steps they had taken in order to do it. It is meant to motivate the users as well as emphasize the competitive aspect. There are likes that users can add to the images, which is what the little shoe in the bottom right-hand corner of the image post represents.
Exhibit walkthrough
The exhibit unfolds in various rooms, each offering a unique Victorian communication experience. The Waiting Room serves as the entry point, where visitors familiarize themselves with the main characters through screens behind picture frames. A butler guide introduces the Victorian era and communication methods. In the Study, visitors interact with characters William and Charles, writing letters in Victorian English. The Parlor explores fan language, taught by actors and through a magic mirror, an interactive touchpoint. The Flower Shop involves creating bouquets with specific meanings, utilizing paper flowers and digital touchpoints. Floriography, the language of flowers, is explained through tablets in this hands-on activity.
Moving to the Post Office, participants experience Victorian communication challenges, including Morse code. A morse code translation poster guides them in decoding secret messages related to the story of William and Charles. This touchpoint empowers individuals to encode and decode messages, fostering personalization in the museum experience. Overall, the exhibit provides a journey through Victorian communication methods, blending character interactions, digital touchpoints, and hands-on activities for an immersive learning experience.
The "After the Museum Experience" segment is designed to offer patrons a tangible and memorable connection to the Victorian communication exhibit. To enhance their visit, patrons are provided with personalized artifacts to take home. One such item is a handwritten letter, crafted uniquely based on their exploration during the exhibit. If patrons engaged in the codebreaking activities, they receive a personalized response, adding an element of fun and connection to their experience.
Additionally, patrons can take home a beautiful bouquet, designed according to the package they selected. These souvenirs, including the letter and bouquet, serve as more than just mementos; they encapsulate the enjoyment and knowledge gained during their visit. By providing physical, personalized artifacts, the museum ensures that patrons not only leave with memories but also possess tangible items that represent their immersive journey into the world of Victorian communication. This thoughtful touch adds an extra layer of value to their overall museum experience.
Video Walkthrough
Conclusion
In conclusion, our Victorian communication exhibit holds promise for success, drawing inspiration from well-received precedents such as the Bridgerton Experience and Disneyland's Royal Hall. The positive reception and immersive nature of these attractions validate our approach to creating a captivating and educational journey for museumgoers. Despite certain limitations, such as the absence of concept testing and external evaluation due to time constraints, as well as challenges related to exhibit space and actor scripting, our team remains optimistic about the exhibit's potential impact.
The Bridgerton Experience, known for its story-based attraction set in the Regency era, aligns closely with our Victorian Era exhibit's goals and thematic focus. Similarly, Disneyland's Royal Hall demonstrates the effectiveness of actors engaging with the public in character, offering insights that influenced our approach to character interactions within the exhibit.
Acknowledging our limitations, we recognize the need for further development, including addressing the lack of a fully fleshed-out script, refining the "after the museum" experience, and exploring budget logistics for enhanced souvenirs. Despite these challenges, our proposed next steps involve prioritizing concept testing, external evaluation, and a comprehensive assessment of actor-visitor interactions within museums. This iterative approach aims to refine the exhibit, taking into account valuable feedback and ensuring a more robust and engaging experience for our visitors. With careful consideration and additional refinement, we are confident that our Victorian communication exhibit has the potential to captivate audiences and offer a unique and memorable museum experience.
Contributions
Neo Agrawal - Brainstorming in Miro, Coding HTML and CSS touchpoint in Post Office, 3 letters probe, Presentation (Post Office + After the museum experience), Documentation (Post Office + After the museum experience)
© 2023 All rights designed, developed and definitely owned