REFLECT - Masks in Mirror
This project aims to provide a better exhibition experience and increase the online exhibition participation rate during Covid-19.
Type
Individual Project
Duration
May 2020 - Dec 2020
Role
Exhibition Design, UX Design, Academic Research, Prototyping
The Challenge
In 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic, lots of the public institutions were closed, about 5 to 7 percent of the world’s museums are shuttered. The virus reshaped the relationship between in-person and remote interactivity.
Which leads many museums to explore the possibility of online and digital exhibition. Many art museums started their new events like artists talk, virtual exhibit tour or storytelling videos of museum collections on the social media channel.
During the pandemic, how can we facilitate new forms of participation in museum exhibitions to provide a better experience for online and offline visitors?
Exhibition Subject
The face mask is a controversial topic during the pandemic, it becomes a symbol of censorship and separation, but also about care and protection. In this exhibition.
The exhibition “REFLECT - Masks in Mirror,” will use a new perspective to look at face masks, show how masks’ forms, functions, and meanings changed from past to present.
By traveling between virtual and physical experience, visitors further engage with the exhibition content, understand the coexistence of past and present, and immerse themselves in the world of mask creation.
Concept Diagram
Institutions
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The National Museum of Anthropology
Our Goals
Serve the missions of museums
Provide a better learning and socializing experience for audiences
Enhance and increase the connection among online users and offline visitors
Foundational Research
The foundational research focuses on the ongoing shifts inside the exhibit industry during the Global COVID-19 pandemic and explores the thesis which involves synchronous communication and interaction to enhance visitor’s social experience on virtual platforms.
For a short introduction of the research Synchronous Communication in Online Exhibition click here
Site Survey
Ideation & Concept
Based on previous research, I start to realize that what audiences need is an environment for them to share, interact, and then learning about new things. Take into consideration of the COVID-19 situation, I develop the exhibition design in three directions:
Experience Map
Graphic Identity
Digital & Online Interactions
Prototyping & Iteration
In order to provide a better experience for online users, I started with the prototype(ver1.0) and ran a usability test on the design with 13 participants. The following are the feedbacks and revision insights I received:
The users want more interaction with the mask
Users want to know the story of masks
Users want to share their experience on the social media platform
After collecting all the feedbacks, I started on the prototype(ver2.0) as further revision:
Use QR Code for easy sharing
Allow users to try on masks and interact
Add information tag around each mask
(ver1.0)
(ver2.0)
Final Exhibition Walkthrough
Activities
Try to scan the QR code on the right side and experience the same activity in the exhibition : ).
Detail drawings
