Personalisation, storytelling, participatory strategies: the exhibition designer of the 21st century needs to know all these techniques to communicate science information effectively. But what about the role of atmospherics? How does it interact with other elements in the exhibition? Many studies highlight the role of atmosphere in cognitive and emotional processes and show that it has a great impact on how visitors experience an environment. However, research in the museum field is limited.
In this session, three speakers who have created an atmosphere in an exhibition and/or researched the effect of this atmosphere will share their insights and do's and don'ts.
Facilitator
Session speakers
project manager exhibitions
Leiden
Netherlands
Studio Louter and Rijksmuseum Boerhaave show how to design the
atmosphere in exhibitions. It all starts with clear guiding
principles and your dreams! Two (parts of) permanent exhibitions
of Rijksmuseum Boerhaave and NEMO Science Museum do illustrate that you can set the mood in the development proces.
Audience Analyst
London
United Kingdom
In the exhibition 'Life in the Dark' design elements such as sounds, innovative lighting and design and art pieces were used to simulate the feeling of being in different habitats that are hard to reach such as caves and the deep sea. NHM's research on the effectiveness of this experience showed that different audiences had different reactions. In evaluating this exhibition questions arose as to the primary purpose of atmospherics – is it to deepen engagement with the natural world, provide a physical introduction into the exhibition content or make it the experience more family friendly.
Creative Partner
Studio Louter
Rijksmuseum Boerhaave and Studio Louter show how to design the
atmosphere in exhibitions. It all starts with clear guiding
principles and your dreams! Two (parts of) permanent exhibitions
of Rijksmuseum Boerhaave and NEMO Science Museum do illustrate that you can set the mood in the development proces.