06/26/22 VSA 2008 Conference 1 Visitor Panels: Incorporating Formative Evaluation in Exhibition Planning Houston, Texas July 17, 2008
Nov 15, 2014
04/08/23 VSA 2008 Conference 1
Visitor Panels: Incorporating Formative Evaluation in
Exhibition Planning
Houston, Texas
July 17, 2008
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Our Goal To share the perspectives of those who have
used visitor panels to plan exhibits at two very different institutions Julia Forbes, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA Frank Lopez, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine
Research Reserve, Huron, OH
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High Museum of Art
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Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve 573 acre Reserve Part of a national network that
promotes stewardship of estuaries
The only Research Reserve in the Great Lakes
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Visitor Panel Process ID target audience and recruit panelists using telephone screening
interview ID key issues, develop prototypes to present to panelists Write Discussion Guide and Written Feedback (questionnaire) Conduct front-end visitor panel session, record and transcribe
discussion, tabulate Written Feedback Read and reflect on visitor panelists’ comments, suggestions Conduct debrief meeting, a working session in which team
members engage in collective decision-making to plan next steps in exhibition development
Reconvene visitor panel for formative evaluation
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Louvre Atlanta A 3-year partnership between the High and the
Louvre Three year-long temporary exhibits Staff exchange Joint planning with staff members from the
High, the Louvre, Georgia Tech, Accenture 3 visitor panels and 3 debriefing meetings over
the course of 9 months to plan for year 3 exhibit, “The Louvre and the Masterpiece”
Visitor panelists: young, tech savvy individuals
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High Visitor Panelists
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High Debrief Meeting
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Three Visitor Panels At visitor panel 1 we presented a concept using
augmented reality By visitor panel 2 we had dismissed that idea and
moved in the direction of a game based on the idea of forgeries and an interactive wall
In visitor panel 3 we refined designs and concepts for game and interactive wall with input from visitor panelists
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Interactive Wall Prototype
Visitor Panel 1
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Visitor Panel 2 Interactive Wall Prototype
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Visitor Panel 3 Interactive Wall Prototype
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Final VersionFinal Version, Interactive Wall
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Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve Renovation of existing Visitor Center Schematic Design by outside exhibit design firm Single visitor panel with debriefing meeting the
following day Internal team: staff from OWC and Dept. of
Natural Resources, board members, local informal educators, Exhibit Works staff
Visitor panelists: individuals from 30 to 60 with kids and grandkids
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Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor Exhibit Hall in
DeWine Center (1,700+ square feet)
Last major renovation – 1985
Displays focusing on natural habitats, cultural history, water quality and the NERRS partnership in Ohio need updating
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Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve
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OWC Visitor Panel
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OWC Debrief Meeting
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Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve Panel validated
conceptual designs as “interesting,” adding useful elements for design development
Panel largely surprised that they hadn’t known about the Research Reserve “It’s a secret that’s too well
kept!”
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Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve Panel served as our
“consultants” on many aspects of our visitor services
Feedback based on tour of entire facility – without interpretation
Results humbling for staff who gained appreciation of visitor perspective
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Contacts Julia Forbes, Head of Museum Interpretation,
High Museum of Art [email protected]
Frank Lopez, Manager, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve [email protected]
Daryl Fischer, Musynergy [email protected]