On 06/10/10 we visited the Rotunda Museum to see the where our work is going to be located and also to learn more about the interactive exhibits the museum currently has on display.
The museum had two interactive displays offering different content; one installation was contained entirely on a single large touchscreen, the second was presented on four separate screens and intended for simultaneous use by multiple users.
These two installations appeared to be aimed at different ages, with the former being targeted at a younger audience and the latter being aimed at more mature age range.
The large touchscreen installation offered a simplistic question and answer activity followed by the chance for users to ‘create their own coastal environment’ by placing images of prehistoric flora and fauna into an empty landscape. Upon correctly responding to a question a short video clip would play in which a small amount of information was given further qualifying the user’s answer. I found the quiz to be engaging and believe that it would succeed in holding the attention of the younger audience at which it is aimed. The information provided is not overwhelming and doesn’t risk losing the users attention. By alternating rounds of the questionnaire with rounds of the ‘create your own environment’ activity I felt this display was extremely effective at engrossing the user in what they were doing and encourages them to work their way through the entire interactive sequence.
An additional benefit of placing this content on the large screen is that it can be both viewed by and participated in by a relatively large number of people; with a young target audience I believe this to be an extremely positive aspect of the display as it’s content leant itself towards group involvement.
The second interactive display was clearly intended for an older audience. It offered a greater range of subject matter and went into greater detail in each area. Features such as activities involving scrolling through past news stories and interactive diagrams and question and answer sections sought to put across a more comprehensive view of the subject matter but in its attempt to engage the user I felt it sacrificed some of its clarity. The content seemed to work against itself, with the interactive aspects making the information seem scattered and diffuse and the abundance of information making the interactive element flow less naturally for the user. Even though the smaller screens were clearly intended for one or perhaps at most two people to work through the content in their own time thereby allowing more information to be given, because of the way in which it was presented, I found myself tiring of this exhibit more quickly then I had the previous one.
However the overall aesthetic appeal and graphic design used within this display was to a much higher standard then the large screened installation and appeared much more professional.
Of the two displays I feel the large screened installation was more fit for purpose, however there are aspects of each I hope to emulate whilst working on my group project; finding the balance between over simplifying our display and overwhelming the user will be crucial.
The intended location of our display requires users to be drawn in as it is not a place all visitors may pay too close attention to and once they are using the display it is essential the content is both informative and entertaining enough to hold their attention.
But it’s okay, we’ve got a plan.
(I also enjoyed the fossils. Unfortunately these had no interactive element... shame)
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