#06 market scan
Overall, though it is still a work in progress, I know that I want to create something that would elevate visitors’ physical museum experiences and a digital experience that would help them learn, understand and familiarise themselves more with the art they would consume during their physical visit.
In a 2015 Straits Times article, a spokesman for the National Heritage Board noted that technology gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the objects/items that pique their interest. Additionally, with technology, visitors are able to access more information which would help make the museum experience more immersive for them. It also increases the appeal and relevance of the exhibits to younger audiences.
In this digital age, there is an abundance of apps for museums today. Furthermore, with the pandemic, many museums created visual tours that allow visitors to explore exhibits from the comfort of their homes. However, I chose to look into museums or past exhibitions with interactive features (both physical and/or online).
Asian Civilisation Museum (ACM)’s Virtual Reality App
In a 2016 GovInsider interview with Cherry Thian, the Senior Manager for Audience and Digital Media at the Asian Civilisation Museum, she explains how the museum had planned to connect with its younger audience through interactive virtual reality experiences.
Through personalisation, ACM had created an app that would tailor information and exhibitions to an individual's preference. Additionally, the app brought the exhibitions alive for visitors through the use of augmented reality (AR).
National Museum of Singapore x Google Tango
In 2017, the National Museum of Singapore collaborated with Google’s Tango, an augmented reality computing platform. This helped breathe new life into their exhibitions. Upon entry, visitors were provided with a Tango-enabled Lenovo Phab 2 Pro phone and were led by museum volunteers on a tour. With this technology, visitors were not only able to visualise what a 42-feet-long Indian Fin Whale looked like but also how it sounded. Additionally, they were able to take photos with the AR. Also, the AR gave visitors new perspectives on the architecture of the museum, bringing the building to life as well.
My House of Memories App
Created in the UK by National Museums Liverpool, My House of Memories is a “museum-led dementia awareness training programme”. As of 2019, the app was adapted to a Singapore context which featured “a curated selection of 100 objects from Singapore’s National Collection and 11 addition objects from the Alzheimer’s Disease Association”. It officially launched in September 2020.
Users of the app could retrieve and discuss items from the aforementioned National Collection. Additionally, they were able to curate photos of items, people, places and more into personal albums for those living with dementia. This feature allowed caregivers to easily personalise the content for their seniors.
Available in four different languages, this app also provided information on dementia in Singapore, as well as, activities seniors and caregivers could take part in.
These are some of the apps and experiences I found particularly interesting. However, there is definitely a long list of other interactive apps that can be found here.
In conclusion, I found that one of the key similarities especially between the apps is the idea of personalisation. I think being able to personalise the content within the app might help with piquing visitors’ interest in it.
