Design Museum Research Articles

Participation and affect intertwined: Linking participatory experiences and affective intensities in a collaborative craft-based art project

Abstract This article investigates the collaborative craft-based art project Data Mirror, launched by the Trapholt Museum of Art and Design in Denmark in March 2022 with artist and weaver Astrid Skibsted. Through the lens of affect theory (Massumi, 2002, 2009), the article explores how the textile making practice and the materials in Data Mirror affected the participatory experience. Building on Christopher Kelty’s understanding of participation as strung between individuality and collectivity, the article argues that the experience of participation in Data Mirror is in fact “more than individual,” but not only in the sense defined by Kelty of being “both individual and collective at the same time” (2019, p. 18). Over and above this, the participatory experience is also about connecting with and being moved affectively by materials, tools, and – in the Data Mirror case – artistic dogmas. The aim of the article is both analytical and theoretical. Based on a close analysis of (1) material intensities and embodied experiences of stitching and (2) felt potential and creative capacity, it calls for a more embodied, material, and affective understanding of the horizontal and vertical (Eriksson, 2019; Kelty, 2016) dimensions of participation.

The ability of experience design characteristics to elicit epistemic value, hedonic value, and visitor satisfaction in a wine museum

PurposeApplying the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theory in a wine museum context, this paper aims to examine how and why experience design characteristics influence visitor satisfaction, particularly investigating the role of epistemic (learning) and hedonic (having fun) values as the underlying mechanisms of this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected field survey data from 652 visitors at a world-leading wine museum. The authors tested the research model on ten modules of the museum using path analysis and a bootstrap approach; the authors further conducted mediation analyses to test how the design of the museum’s modules influenced perceived value and satisfaction.FindingsContent comprehensibility and surprise, as well as interactivity and ease of use, are core design characteristics that drive visitor satisfaction. More significantly, hedonic and epistemic values play a significant mediating role in influencing the relationship between design characteristics and visitor satisfaction.Practical implicationsThe authors provide clear and actionable recommendations to help managers design museums that provide educational, entertaining and satisfying visitor experiences.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to apply the S-O-R theory in a wine museum context. The significance of this study lies in demonstrating how and why experience design characteristics support the creation of an edutainment visitor experience that drives visitor satisfaction.

Enriching Museum Collection with Virtual Design Objects and Community Narratives: Pop-up-VR Museum

In the Pop-up-VR Museum, a selection of design objects from the Design Museum collection can be explored as virtual reality experience together with stories and comments collected in workshops organized with senior communities and museum visitors amongst others. The collaboration between the museum and the Aalto University Department of Art and Media in the EU Horizon 2020 project SPICE (2020–2023), seeks to increase social cohesion and inclusion through cultural heritage. Using semantic tools designed and developed in the project, it studies ways to promote novel forms of “citizen curation” activities. The article discusses the co-design process between media designers, heritage professionals, and different user communities, with varying understandings and needs regarding museum data and Finnish design heritage. In the museum, community-based data raises practical as well as ethical issues. Also the new digital artifacts challenge existing systems: what and how should be preserved in the museum collection from the dialogue with the user that takes place in the Pop-up VR Museum and does this new data demand re-assessing earlier information and, how does should the process of creating new digital artifacts be documented and described.

An Exploration of Design Museums’ Niche Communication Strategies in the Perspective of the Long Tail Effect

An Exploration of Design Museums’ Niche Communication Strategies in the Perspective of the Long Tail Effect

The Museum of Instructional Design: an Examination of Learner Experiences & Usability in a Collaborative 3D Virtual Learning Environment

The Museum of Instructional Design: an Examination of Learner Experiences & Usability in a Collaborative 3D Virtual Learning Environment

Defining Digital Design in the National Collection

As the national design collection of the United States, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City is dedicated to historical and contemporary design with a collection of over 215,000 objects. Since its founding in 1897 as the Cooper Union Museum for the Arts of Decoration, its collection departments have been defined taxonomically by materials. In 2022, the museum created a new collecting department for the first time in its history, acknowledging that Digital collections represent a separate “material.” The introduction of a Digital department stakes a claim that digital design is itself a separate discipline with its own needs of collections management, curation, and conservation. Digital design as both process and product is now pervasive throughout design fields and the collection will continue to grow as the museum strives to represent contemporary design practice. While the museum’s early digital collecting came from a lineage of graphic design and typography, this article discusses the challenges inherent in developing new taxonomies, typologies, classifications, and collections management and preservation processes.

Application of Independence Land Use with Contemporary Architecture Approach in Human Rights History Museum

Indonesia is a state of law that has a recognition to protect the rights of every citizen, every human being has the right to live, grow and develop without discrimination. Surabaya is a city that has a lot of history as well as being the capital of East Java Province and the second largest city in Indonesia. The design location is on Dr. Ir. Soekarno (Merr) street, Surabaya City. Human rights are owned by all human beings from birth and are valid for life, but human rights currently tend to be ignored, so that many people do not get their rights fairly, there is no mutual respect, are oppressed and treated inhumanely in violation of existing norms. Using descriptive and qualitative methods to determine case studies. The selection of the theme of Contemporary Architecture with the macro concept of Independence which means free or independent, so that the design of the Human Rights history Museum design applies freedom of work but still adheres to existing norms. The design result of the transformation of the land concept results in a micro-landscape that is extensive and has a wide-reaching nature. With the existence of the Museum of Human Rights History, it is hoped that it can become a means of education and knowledge for all groups, both for the public, students, and students so that they can respect each other regardless of differences in any aspect to raise awareness of the importance of Human Rights as a message of peace to be free in accordance with the norms of Pancasila.

Analysis of the Qiang Museum Design Proposal

A museum serves as a window into a region, not only as a place to display artifacts and artworks but also as a bridge connecting history, the present, and the future. Museum design is a kind of interpretation method to effectively convey and express historical and cultural connotation by using architectural language. By introducing the design ideas of Qiang Museum located in Qiang Feng Village, this paper fully reflects the design concepts of past inheritance and future innovation in exhibit design and architectural design, hoping to create an interactive and inclusive rural museum of Qiang culture, better tap the original Qiang memory, and display the excellent Qiang culture.

MULTIMODAL APPROACH TO TRAINING OF TEACHERS OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: FOCUS ON INTERESTS AND NEEDS

In recent decades, the multimodal approach has gained traction across various fields, including mathematics, entertainment, education, museum design, and medicine, signifying a holistic shift in the academic realm. This study explores multimodality in the context of adult education, with a particular focus on its application in the training of preschool teachers. By examining the role of multimodal education as a transformative pedagogical strategy, this research identifies the significance of integrating various sensory modes—verbal, visual, audio, spatial, and temporal—into the educational process. Drawing on both theoretical analyses and empirical data collected from educators and attendees at the Institute of In-Service Training, this study highlights the importance of a multimodal learning environment that caters to the diverse needs and preferences of learners. The findings underscore the value of cooperative learning, critical reflection, and interactive learning technologies in enhancing cognitive engagement and reducing learner fatigue. This research advocates for the adoption of multimodality as a natural component of lifelong learning, necessitating the redesign of educational frameworks to foster flexible, adaptive, and dynamic learning experiences. The study concludes by suggesting further exploration into the application of multimodal approaches in various educational settings, including those involving learners with special educational needs.

Application Research on Integrating Digital Garden Culture into Exhibition Space Design of Science and Technology Museum

Application Research on Integrating Digital Garden Culture into Exhibition Space Design of Science and Technology Museum

Application of the simulation method in the development of the concept for the Silk Road museum

The paper substantiates the development of a simulation model in the design of the Silk Road Museum. A brief description of the current world museums and exhibitions on the territory of the Russian Federation dedicated to its legacy has been made. A description of the methods used to establish the system of key objects and their corresponding qualitative and quantitative characteristics has been presented. Such information is the input parameters and rules of the simulation model, enabling to implement scenarios for the behavior of all participants in various processes in order to create regulations for the organization and management of the museum.

Room acoustics of Mycelium Textiles: the Myx Sail at the Danish Design Museum

Abstract Taking the Myx Sail displayed at the Danish Design Museum as a case study, this article investigates the room acoustics of an architectural installation made of Mycelium Textiles. Mycelium Textiles represent a novel typology of mycelium-based composites (MBC). The Myx Sail absorbers are grown on a composition of different layers of plant fibres combining woven jute textile with hemp mat and loose wood wool substrate enhancing the mechanical and acoustic properties of the composite. Two complementary acoustic tests were conducted to measure the absorbing properties of the mycelium material and its effects on the acoustics of the exhibition hall. The results show that the sail acts effectively as an acoustic absorber especially in higher range of frequencies, reducing the reverberation time and improving speech intelligibility. The effect of the sail on the overall room acoustics is especially effective, if the sound source is placed directly underneath the sail. The results of a complementary survey amongst visitors on their subjective perception of comfort and well-being however indicate that the degree to which a grown surface (and by extension, a grown building) is perceived positively or negatively depends on the relationship the individual has with Nature.

Architectural design of an open cultural space for a cultural heritage art museum

Starting from the interaction between art museums and the public and the way to get along with them, art museums can be closer to the life of the public, and provide the public with spiritual enjoyment, while also playing a certain role in promoting the dissemination and inheritance of local and even national culture. The audience, as the receiver of the exhibition information of the art museum, is also the medium of cultural dissemination of the art museum. This interactive relationship is exactly what we want to explore in the process of art museum design.

Between Architecture, Story, and Place Identity: A Narrative Approach for Creative Placemaking in Museum Design

Museum architecture is required to tell a story more than just the physical building to be able to convey the knowledge and messages it carries. When architecture can be enjoyed physically and psychologically, architecture can be more memorable, easier to understand and appreciated by its users. How people value a place can be influenced by a narrative that gives character or identity to that place. Therefore, stories play a crucial role in making a place and shaping its identity. Placemaking concept has several types of approaches to transform spaces and enhance their significance. In particular, this study explored how to use narratives for creative placemaking in museum design, using a qualitative descriptive method that refers to the design process. Using narratives in architectural design has been well-known as storytelling architecture involving two techniques that are ‘storytelling as a metaphor’ and ‘storytelling through sequencing’. The results indicated that these techniques play a part in creative placemaking application which has three design principles, particularly in museum design. By incorporating storytelling techniques, architects and designers can create spaces that evoke emotions, foster connections, and enhance the overall experience of a place.

Emerging trends in sustainable design: Integrating museums for a resilient future

The paper unfolds the intricate tapestry of sustainable design, weaving in the pivotal role of renewable energy systems and astutely tying it to the eco-conscious blueprint of modern museums. The introduction sheds light on the potent impact of sustainable design in mitigating environmental hurdles and fostering a greener, more sustainable future, with a nuanced nod towards sustainability in museum management and design. Motivated by an aspiration to traverse diverse viewpoints and methodologies in sustainable design, the research stretches across numerous sectors—encompassing construction, architecture, engineering, manufacturing, software development, and notably, museum design—intending to carve out energy-sparing and ecologically mindful solutions. This paper underscores the imperative of astute design practices that optimize structures, such as museums, to maximize the utilization of renewable energy resources like solar arrays, wind turbines, and geothermal systems. It advocates for a burgeoning need to escalate the horizon of sustainable design beyond singular buildings, intertwining standalone energy systems at multiple tiers—from community power grids to expansive urban networks—ensuring a streamlined energy distribution and curbing waste. Wading through the literature review, an exploration of varied sustainable design strategies unfolds, encompassing facets like supply chain management, product safety, architectural design, manufacturing, food packaging, transportation, and pedagogy, with a specific lens on embedding sustainability in museum infrastructure and operations. The culmination of the paper discerns ten cardinal trends in sustainable design, spanning from the integration of renewable energy systems to the infusion of sustainable education and positive psychological interventions in educational institutions, thereby spotlighting the metamorphosing terrain of sustainable design across an array of disciplines.

Research on Visual Communication Design in the Perspective of Museum Display

In the museum display, the unique way of visually conveying design information is based on cultural relic appraisal and exhibition appreciation, which has sufficient persuasiveness. As a medium for visually conveying design information in museums, it has distinct characteristics. The interaction between various visual media presented in museum design can mobilize the audience's various visual communication information presented in the design. Good visual communication design not only can better convey the visual communication design information from the perspective of museum display to the audience, clarify the distinct characteristics of visual communication design from the perspective of museum display, but also play a huge value and significance in the dissemination of visual communication design information in museum display. This article introduces the visual communication design elements in the traditional perspective of museum display. At meanwhile, simultaneously studies the visual communication design elements and their combination in the new museum presentation perspective under technological elements.

Beyond the walls: the design and development of the Petralona Cave virtual museum utilising 3D technologies

The Petralona Cave, which local inhabitants discovered by chance in 1959, is a remarkable natural and cultural landmark close to the village of Petralona, in the Chalkidiki peninsula of Greece. The site has gained global recognition for the discovery of a remarkably well-preserved Palaeolithic human skull, unearthed in 1960; it also holds archaeological and palaeontological significance. In this paper, the researchers introduce the Petralona Cave Virtual Museum: an innovative project whose mission is to increase public awareness and comprehension of the site. Our approach goes beyond mere replication of the physical museum located close to the cave; instead, the objective is to create an independent and comprehensive experience that is accessible to all visitors, irrespective of their ability to visit the site in person. Our methodology involved the documentation of the site and its history, analysis of user requirements, development of use cases to steer the design process, as well as architectural designs creation, itineraries and findings digitisation, and architectural structure finalisation. The Virtual Museum provides a well-organised frame structure that serves as an efficient gateway to the content, making navigation easy for visitors. Thanks to various presentation methods, including videos, high-quality images, interactive maps, animated content, interactive 3D models, plus searchable item libraries, among others, users are empowered to create a highly personalised navigation plan; thus the Virtual Museum experience is comparable to visiting the physical museum or cultural site. Cutting-edge digitisation techniques were employed to create highly detailed 3D models of the site. The Petralona Cave Virtual Museum is expected to offer an immersive experience, engaging diverse audiences; the interactive and educational exploration provides highly innovative access to archaeological knowledge. The visibility of the Petralona site is amplified and there is a significant contribution to knowledge dissemination about this important cultural heritage site.

Days of Architectural Heritage in Yekaterinburg

On 12-14 October the Museum of Architecture and Design of the Ural State University of Architecture and Art (USUAA) held the regional festival “Days of Architectural Heritage. Yekaterinburg: past, present, future”. The participants discussed the problems of heritage preservation, restoration, reconstruction and popularisation. There was a presentation of a new publishing series and awarding of the winners of three competitions.

Investigating the Socio-Economic Sustainability within the Egyptian Museums over the Last Decade

Over the last few decades, contemporary museums have undergone a radical change: they have become public places that promote socio-economic sustainability through recreation, commercial, and cultural activities. This shift has altered public perception of museums globally and had a profound impact on today’s museums, resulting in new prototypes that differ significantly from prior ones. This study tries to answer the following questions: How far have Egyptian museums evolved over the last decade? what degree can the radical transformation in museum design assist in fulfilling Egypt’s SDGs? To answer these questions, this study attempts to explore how far Egyptian museums have adapted to this fundamental change, by tracing the evolution of Egyptian museum design compared with the findings of the author’s previous thesis in 2012 and Egypt’s SDGs. This study used qualitative methods, which began with a thorough literature review, followed by a comparative analysis of the selected case studies. The findings revealed that the contemporary design of recent Egyptian museums, by including social and economic activities, significantly supports the national and global agenda in terms of SDG. This article provides architects, designers, and policy makers with clear design criteria to enhance the social and economic role of museums, towards fulfilling SDGs.

Community‐informed design: Blending community engagement and museum design approaches for sustainable experience development

AbstractThe museum field currently and historically has centered on the needs of White, educated, privileged, and affluent people, and changing that reality requires new ways of conceptualizing, organizing, and assessing our core practices. Practice‐based models—including specific stories of how museums and communities work together—are still needed in our field, both as guidance for structuring future projects and as inspiration for what is possible. We share a case study of a 10‐year makerspace design process and identify key features for sustaining community–museum relationships over an extended period of work, which we call community‐informed design. We describe five key aspects that promote sustainability in terms of community–museum relationships and the creation of high‐quality experiences: naming values and assumptions, emergent planning, flexible and distributed staffing, organization‐to‐organization relationships, and layered data.