Interactive Exhibition Design: New Technologies and Multisensory Experiences

Description

Exhibitions are becoming increasingly immersive and multisensorial experiences, thanks in part to the possibilities of new technologies. How might exhibition narration be enhanced with experiential design and new technologies? What are the key technologies to build a multisensory exhibition?

In this course, you will learn how to create multisensory experiences for exhibitions using the instruments of exhibition design and technology. We will cover the theoretical background of exhibition design; practical approaches and inspiring case studies; as well as step-by-step guidance to develop your own experiential exhibition design.

Over 5 weeks we will cover:

Exhibition design theory

Discover the history and theory of exhibition design through case studies from the fields of modern and contemporary art, art & science and science & technology museums. We will focus particularly on interactive tools, multisensory spaces and new media.

Technological tools

Explore how to create multisensory experiences that build strong narratives for the audience: from traditional tools such as light design, photo, graphics and narration enhancement; to digital tools like sensory design, gamification techniques and UX design technologies.

Production processes

Learn the important production and organisational processes involved in creating multisensory exhibitions, including team formation, working with contractors and necessary managerial tips.

Your own project development

Develop a new exhibition concept during the course or bring an existing project idea to improve. The final session will be dedicated to the participants’ project review.

By the end of the course, you will have an understanding of the history of experiential exhibition design, learn what tools to use to create your own multisensory exhibitions and be equipped with the know-how to manage the realisation process.

The course is for curators, creative producers, art managers, exhibition designers and other professionals interested in new exhibition technologies. Previous experience in art production, curating or exhibition design is preferable but not strictly necessary.

Program

Week 1: Exhibition design: historical context

This session is dedicated to the development of exhibition design through its history and case studies.

• brief overview of the history of exhibition design with a focus on interactive engineering, multisensory experiences and new media
• cases from the fields of modern and contemporary art, art & science, and science & technology museums

Week 2: Strategies of creating multisensory experiences

Discover the existing strategies of creating multisensory experiences.

• user experience design for exhibitions: methodology of collecting and analysing data
• key values of exhibition design today: responsiveness, agility, accessibility, inclusivity, collaboration, innovation, visitor-focus
• strategies of creating multisensory experiences: narration enhancement, sensory design, gamification techniques, sound design, light design, olfactory design, interactive design

Week 3: Creating a multisensory exhibition: tools

This session is dedicated to discussing a variety of tools which can be applied for multisensory experiences’ development.

• space: architecture, exhibition design, light design, sound design
• content: photo, graphic design
• digital: multimedia design, AR, VR, XR, generative content, video installations
• new media and hybrid technologies: AI, interactive technologies, olfactory installations, robotic installations, etc.

Week 4: Production processes of a multisensory exhibition

Explore key managerial processes involved in the realisation of a multisensory exhibition.

• organisational pipeline
• project planning
• project budgeting and contracting
• mounting/ dismounting tips – team and contractors: selection, workflow

Week 5: Projects review

Participants are invited to share their own exhibition concepts, focusing on the multisensory approach and tools chosen for its creation. Each presenting participant will receive feedback from the lecturers.