week 6

Readings

Museum4punkt0

This text brings up a lot of interesting applications of AR technologies and digitalization being applied to real world art exhibits. It made me think of a lot of different inquiries, such as, how necessary is the digitalization of museums? As well as, how can we incorporate this digitalization fairly given that there is such a grand diversity in collections? However, I believe using websites and digital technologies is a beautiful use of mediums to make museum objects more accessible to the public. This allows for a broader and more educated audience, but will it detract from the classic experience of walking around a museum and being surrounded by art in the physical space? How can we ensure that the reproduction of museum artifacts in multiple spaces will allow their beauty to be represented in spaces of respect and sincerity? However, regardless of these many questions I had, I think the allowance of greater community participation is a beautiful facet of these technologies and cannot be forgotten.

One of the most forwarding examples of this museum digitalization is that done by Museum4punkt0. They are enhancing the museum experience while also generating insights that will benefit many cultural institutions. The application of these new mediums is important because it allows the entire museum community to be assisted by sharing the experience of using AR as forerunners in its usage.

By fostering dialogue between the museum and its visitors, they are not only allowing for the enhancement and personalization of user experience based on each individual’s interests, but also allowing the museum to learn more about how its users interact with the space to gain a greater understanding of how to design all aspects of the museum experience. In general, these digital technologies are becoming more and more relevant in all facets of lifestyle, so museums must adjust to this wave or soon become relics of the past. It is our job as designers to work with the public to ensure that these newly realized technological applications ensure intuitive systems and not cumbersome additives.