tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post2941758027022972101..comments2024-03-27T05:04:39.476-07:00Comments on Museum 2.0: Mapping Experiences: Rethinking Wayfinding in MuseumsNina Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723930679606298550noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-78435885158881978642007-03-01T15:00:00.000-08:002007-03-01T15:00:00.000-08:00Ah. Problems we all face. I'm at a museum constr...Ah. Problems we all face. I'm at a museum constructed from six historic buildings... which would be fine if they weren't slowly drifting apart. We used to have maps but then found that they were so useless to guests that we stopped producing them.<BR/><BR/>Are you planning to physically relocate and reappropriate space in the museum, or just provide better ways to navigate? If you have to stick with what you have, perhaps you could take a humorous approach and show exhibits as bloated or smooshed into place. Flooring changes are a big opportunity for subliminal separation of spaces. Footsteps that guide you. <BR/><BR/>I was in an airport bathroom recently there was a handwritten sign telling you where the sinks were (they were strangely hidden behind a mirror). You knew looking at the sign that some exasperated employee had put up the sign after everyone asked. It might be a good exercise to have staff walk around the museum with paper and pens and make their own signage, just to see what they think is most important, most often missed or misunderstood. You may find something on the floor that makes you rethink the problem spots and how to explain directions. Good luck!Nina Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11723930679606298550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-15376556108815416912007-02-27T15:50:00.000-08:002007-02-27T15:50:00.000-08:00So I'm the guy with the ASTC listserv query, and w...So I'm the guy with the ASTC listserv query, and while I think your analysis is spot on, Nina, I have to sheepishly admit that our wayfinding problems aren't this conceptual.<BR/><BR/>In fact, our problems are more or less strictly architectural. Leaving aside fundamental issues like the fact that you enter our building at the top level and the only bathrooms are underneath the stairs two levels down, we just have an awkward building. The spaces don't flow in a sensible or comprehensible way, and there's almost never a good one-to-one relationship of exhibition to exhibition space. <BR/><BR/>Our two main exhibit halls are just a bit too small to house a traveling exhibit comfortably, so we always have some spillage out into adjacent gallery areas. The lobby is too big to just be a lobby, but too small to do meaningful work as an exhibit hall. At some point in history, our museum store was wedged into one of the galleries in the most ridiculous way possible.<BR/><BR/>Our building is basically one long succession of "oh... I didn't think that would be <B>there</B>" experiences.<BR/><BR/>Anyway... I don't want to derail your fine post with a rant about our building. Thanks for your thoughts on the more conceptual architecture of the museum experience. If we ever conquer the practicalities here, maybe we'll be able to try to make progress with the stuff you're talking about! <BR/><BR/>--Allan AyresAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com