Project Title:  Interactive and Static Digital Signage at the Museum of Arts and Design

Museum/ Institution: Museum of Arts and Design  

Program Created:  2009

Program URL (if available):  http://www.madmuseum.org/

Project Image(s) and/or Video

Media Source(s)/Credit(s):

Images from digital design firm Pentagram - http://www.pentagram.com/search/Museum+of+Arts+and+Design/#/1609/

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fCTiB4EINE (sinalizartube)

Program Description: (150-250 words)

The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting contemporary hand-made objects produced by a variety of media such as clay, glass, wood, metal and fiber.   MAD attracts around 300,000 visitors a year and implements different technologies to facilitate museum flow and visitor-museum interactions.   Such technology is seen through the use of static interactive digital signage displayed throughout the museum.  The Museum's static signage was created by Pentagram's Lisa Strausfeld and her team and it includes vertical screens that serve as directories to the various floors and screens that face the sidewalk to show and attract people to the Museum.

The Museum's interactive displays are placed around the Museum.  Within the Collections Gallery, visitors are invited to explore objects in the Museum’s collection through three different types of digital screens.  The first is an interactive touch screen in the gallery which allows visitors to study specific objects in depth and to watch videos highlighting certain techniques as they relate to the object being viewed.  Within this interactive, visitors can also explore images of other works by the same artist, listen to an interview with the artist, and view similar works created by other artists.  The second digital screen is at the Collections Research Station where visitors can find information, located in the online database, about all of the objects and their artists within the Museum’s permanent collection.  The third screen is similar; it’s a large plasma screen that allows visitors to interactively explore the collection.

Firsthand or secondary review/critique: (150-250 words)

The Museum of Arts and Design has dynamic digital media program that consists of informational and interpretative screens.  I have not had the opportunity to visit MAD, but want to now that I have seen some of its digital media offerings.   MAD has utilized digital screens for a variety of purposes like general information (displaying exhibit information, ticket prices, membership opportunities, etc), education, and marketing.  From a marketing perspective, I think that it was genius to place digital screens where people passing by could see them.  Not only does it promote MAD, but it also gives the visitor a taste for the type of digital media (such as interactive screens) that he or she will be experiencing within the Museum.  

MAD's interactive screens, from what I have learned, are valuable digital tools for the Museum because of its content and the accessibility of the content.  The screens are designed in a way that the majority of visitors (regardless of age) can use the touch-screens with ease. It only takes a couple touches of the screen to find the information that you are searching for.  Visitors, who decide to use the screens, can gain access to information about any and every object within the Museum's collection as well as important supplemental material about related objects and artists.  I like MAD's interactive screens because you are actively involved.  I think that when you feel involved and connected in learning, then you have a greater overall experience.  

Regarding the screens, I still have a number of questions that I didn't find answers to in my online research.  I would like to know how many screens are located in the museum and are there issues like too many people and not enough screens?  In terms of accessibility, do those who can't see or have seeing problems have an alternative solution for finding out information about a specific object and/or artist?

Technologies incorporated:

Plasma television screens, touch screen technology

Internally or externally produced:

Content produced in-house by the Museum of Arts and Design and digital design produced by Pentagram

Entry Contributor and Date: 

Emma Birge-Osborne - March 3, 2011

Related projects/articles:  

http://pentagram.com/en/new/2009/07/museum-of-arts-and-design-medi.php