Practice-based research methods for new media design in museums and interpretive interactive environments : what practice-based research methods allow the design and development of an interactive touch screen interface for children between the age of 6-13 years, which is informative, engaging and exploratory within the Powerhouse Museum Sydney?
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2010
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Design and research methods specifically for the development of interactive touch screen
interfaces in a museum contexts was limited to and relied on summative evaluation to
determine the effectiveness of the design. Further more, curators were relied upon to
determine content and structure narratives within the exhibitions. This resulted in a subjective
narrative and a design that doesn't necessarily engage or appeal to the audience.
The objective of the research was to develop an interactive table touch screen interface about
the Moon for children between the ages of 6-13 years within the Powerhouse Museum in
Sydney. The interface was developed using a practice-based design and research approach to
discover the necessary methods for effective design. Therefore the interactive touch screen
interface was developed from a user-centered/participatory iterative design approach, which
included a diverse range of methods.
The methods of research required for the design development were structured within a
reconfigured framework in which multiple methods of research and design were practiced to
inform and justify design decisions. The methods of research operated within an iterative cyclic
process in which a mixed-fidelity prototype was utilised. The reconfigured framework not only
provided a struct ure in wh ich the design was justified by data, it also allowed for basic design
practices to be incorporated into t he structure, these included critical reflection and
intervention to interpret and inform the design .
The reconfigured framework allowed qualitative and quantitative methods to feed into design
decisions. As a result of the hybrid approach a series of statistical data analysis, observation
and interpretation were necessary to decipher testing results and raw data from cultural probe,
low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototype testing and evaluations.
As well as these methods observation, unstructured interviews and cultural probe testing were
carried out informed by literature and formative research methods. These methods were
broken down into phases and roles in which the structure and relationship between each
practice is visually represented and directed. The framework was visualised to allow future
designers to utilise this structure.
The study revealed that the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods and usercentered
design was essential and unavoidable for the design and development of the
interactive touch interface. This was represented by the successful design and development of
a high-fidelity prototype that proved to engage, inform and allowed an exploratory experience
for the target audience. This development was a direct result of the reconfigured framework
and the focus on user participation as a key component in which data, reflection and
interventions were utilised to inform the design.
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