MAPS 2/5 Class - Angela

Feb 5/2019

Discussion on signage at MOXI;

I think having more information about exhibits could be beneficial especially for guests who only have the ability to visit the museum once. It would allow for visitors who desire to know how things work get more information and maximize their experience at MOXI. Having QR codes could be a beneficial way to do this in order to minimize signage in the museum.

In addition, I feel that implementing questions and challenges could also be beneficial in order for guests to maximize levels of engagement at exhibits at certain exhibits. 

Of the signage at MOXI, I observe guests most often reading the signage at Reactable. Often time’s people are confused about how to use the exhibit so they refer to the sign however, the problem that I always encounter is that the volume is not turned up on the cubes. The information on how to do that is not on the sign (move the white dot on the right side of the cube) therefore people often leave more frustrated or confused because even after reading the sign they still cannot figure out how it works.

Readings;

Providing labels could increase the length at which guests interacted with exhibits but could also limit their creativity depending on how the label was worded. I think this is interesting because typically, guests who spend longer periods of time exploring an exhibit will move through different levels of engagement however, a label could limit them to being focused in one level, creating a goal orientated exhibit. Adding one simple label to an open-ended exhibit could completely change the exhibit to a planned-discovery.  I also find it interesting how the Exploratorium label that stated “Try This, What’s Going On? and So What?” was said to imply that the museum is the authority, keeper of knowledge while the visitor is the recipient of knowledge. I agree with this statement in that I want the visitors to ask these questions themselves and creatively find solutions to these questions, however how do we know that is happening? Ask a spark, I often ask guests “What do you think is going on here?” Is there a difference between a spark interacting and asking a guest and a sign asking a guest “What do you think is going on?” Is this still implying the museum is the authority or does the change is wordage “do you think” give the authority back to the guest? I agree that having labels worded as an invitation or challenge is important so visitors feel that they are finding solutions and thinking creatively and there is no set goal or phenomena that they are trying to understand.