Project Title:

Woodson Art Museum Electronic Signage: Main Lobby

Museum/ Institution:

Woodson Art Museum     

Program Created:

2010

Program URL: 

www.lywam.org

Project Images:

Media Source(s)/Credit(s):

iPhone pictures taken by Erin Narloch, on Saturday, February 5, 2011.

Program Description:

The Museum went through a two-year wayfinding process (2008-2010 - as a result of an Museums for America IMLS grant). The wayfinding project explored the whole Museum campus/facility. In the Museum's main lobby, a monitor was set-up, this monitor scrolls through upcoming events at the Museum, including programs and exhibitions. This video works in conjunction with other wayfinding devices - below the monitor is a rack for Museum material; on the opposite side of the main wall (see in the second image) a mirror panel has a map of the Museum's public spaces on it, as well as, another rack for Museum publications. This monitor is the only technology-piece in the wayfinding project, however all other signs resemble the look of the panel the monitor is presented on.

Firsthand review/critique:

The monitor itself is about seven feet off the floor, adjacent to the monitor is a wall of windows and the main doors (which are also glass), it is in a two-story atrium (no access from above, just a wide open space). When you enter the main doors this is in front of you, slightly to the left. Directly to your left is the greeter desk, this is usually manned by a museum volunteer, who will welcome you to the museum. I think the monitor is effective, you could spend about two minutes looking at the scrolling events, nothing is ever out of date, because it is updated daily by visitor services staff. The content of the monitor seems to make you more aware of the different events taking place at the Museum, it seems like another entry point for the visitor, who would like an edited version of the events calendar (found below the monitor in the rack). It is a really quite space and I wonder if it could benefit from some relaxing music, sometimes I find the greeters to be a little over bearing in their welcome, this one is far more relaxed. It's technology without being too slick, which seems to work well with the ambiance created at the Woodson.

Technologies incorporated:  

Video, still images, PowerPoint movie.

Internally or externally produced: 

Internally produced - weekly.

Entry Contributor and Date: 

Erin Narloch, Saturday, February 5, 2011.