Making Dinosaurs Dance: A Toolkit for Digital Design in Museums

This book provides insights into the American Museum of Natural History's innovative approach to visitor digital engagement through an iterative design process, showcasing techniques used in museums worldwide.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

This captivating book takes readers on an immersive journey behind the scenes, unveiling the innovative strategies employed by the American Museum of Natural History to revolutionize visitor digital engagement through a public-facing iterative design process. It showcases a range of design techniques used both within the museum and at other renowned museums worldwide, fostering a deeper understanding of the art of creating engaging and interactive experiences for visitors.

The American Museum of Natural History embarked on a transformative journey to enhance its visitor experience by embracing the power of design. Through an iterative and collaborative process, the museum sought to create digital engagement solutions that would captivate and inspire its diverse audience.

The book delves into the intricate details of this design process, providing a comprehensive overview of the strategies and techniques employed. It explores the use of user research, prototyping, and testing to refine and enhance digital experiences, ensuring that they are intuitive, accessible, and aligned with the museum's mission and values.

One of the key strengths of the American Museum of Natural History's approach is its commitment to inclusivity. The museum recognized that digital engagement should not be limited to a specific demographic or technological proficiency level. Instead, it aimed to create experiences that would resonate with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

To achieve this, the museum collaborated with experts in accessibility, usability, and user experience design. They conducted extensive user testing to gather feedback and insights, ensuring that digital interfaces were designed to be user-friendly and accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Furthermore, the museum embraced the latest technologies and innovations to create immersive and interactive digital experiences. From interactive displays and virtual reality experiences to augmented reality and interactive apps, the museum sought to engage visitors in new and exciting ways.

The book also highlights the importance of storytelling in digital engagement. The museum recognized that visitors are more likely to be engaged and inspired when they are able to connect with the museum's content on a personal level. To achieve this, the museum developed compelling narratives and interactive storytelling techniques that would engage visitors emotionally and intellectually.

In addition to showcasing the American Museum of Natural History's innovative practices, the book provides valuable insights into the broader field of museum design. It explores the role of design in shaping visitor experiences, the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches, and the potential for design to drive social change and promote cultural understanding.

By examining the American Museum of Natural History's journey, this book offers valuable lessons for museums and cultural institutions seeking to enhance their visitor digital engagement. It demonstrates the power of design to create meaningful and impactful experiences that resonate with visitors, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around us.

In conclusion, this captivating book takes readers on an immersive journey behind the scenes of the American Museum of Natural History's innovative design process. It showcases a range of design techniques used both within the museum and at other renowned museums worldwide, fostering a deeper understanding of the art of creating engaging and interactive experiences for visitors. Through its commitment to inclusivity, use of technology, storytelling, and interdisciplinary approaches, the museum has revolutionized visitor digital engagement, setting a new standard for the field. This book offers valuable insights and lessons for museums and cultural institutions seeking to enhance their visitor experiences and promote cultural understanding in the digital age.

Weight: 395g
Dimension: 252 x 176 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538159743