...
During this interview, Matt gave his feedback on Engage mapping scenarios, informed by prior work he has done @ the DIA. Last visitor research survey - about 4 years ago.
General feedback:
Scenarios are assuming a motivated, agenda-driven visitor. This is idealistic.
Personalization is not for everybody.
Pre-visit planning is most likely to occur by art history students and school teachers. E.g. mapping scenario of adult visitors who plan their visit to Vancouver Art Gallery - Mapping Scenario + Wireframes (adult couple at art gallery) - not evidence based. Could be adapted for a would be most realistic as an educator scenario.
Many of the scenarios give the visitor a series of complex choices. In other words, these scenarios present a number of different areas visitors must orient themselves to: (1) the museum itself - its floorplan, exhibits; (2) the art; (3) technology.
A few years go DIA did a survey with educators. Why take students to a museum? Inspiration. Opportunities for learning outside the classrom. Exploration. Taking a day off school.
Why do non-education (general public) visitors come to the museum?
Reasons for visiting a museum were less about a specific aesthetic experience.Visitors often don't have specific reasons for visiting. Motivations: Emotional, spiritual, social interaction, want to regenerate creativity & imaginations, opportunities for learning, atmosphere...
Accessibility
No visitor studes done in this area. Generally DIA is behind the times here. Comment cards have indicated frustration with DIA's parking situation. There has been some contacts made with local vision loss groups. Christine Reech from Museum of Science @ Boston is a good contact in this area.
...
It would be good to get a sense of what visitors want/how they personalize - these could be indicators of engagement. When there is a clearer idea of what Engage products are visitor researchers can have a better sense of what they would be evaluating. Evaluation would probably track use patterns - tracking (how are tools used?) and timing (how long are they used for?)[not finished... ]