Interactive Museum Exhibits: What Makes Them Tick?
Museums. Some say they are gateways to new dimensions. Epicenters of discovery. Priceless links to our past, present, and future. But whatever you call them, museums are essential for humanity (because as is so often said, those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it). And their thoughtfully curated displays and compelling narratives have long married entertainment and education better than the Romans married gladiators and coliseums.
But now there’s a relatively new kid on the block. One that brings new tech to the scene; interactive museum exhibits. And this is where the game changes, big time. These experiences turn traditionally passive observers into full-on active participants and players, inviting visitors to step into incredible immersive worlds where exploration is the be all all and end all.
In other words, don’t just see it. Live it. Breathe it. Be there.
So what does it take to forge these exhibits? To craft an experience that tantalizes the mind and stands every hair on its end? Well, let’s delve into the amazing alchemy of interactive museum exhibits together, right now.
What Are Interactive Museum Exhibits?
Interactive museum exhibits are a whole different story (often literally) than the usual displays people are used to. Instead of just sharing stories, they pull visitors right into the action, giving everyone their very own part to play.
It’s not just about looking, it’s about doing, feeling, and diving headfirst into something truly unforgettable. We’re talking about a whole new level of engagement that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. It’s kinda like that feeling of going from VHS to 4K; your senses are overwhelmed in the best possible ways. And it becomes addictive.
But, how do we make it happen? It’s all about a magical mix of gamification, hands-on features, and the latest digital tech. And while we’re always tweaking our methodology, we’ve spent well over a decade perfecting this formula. So, let’s take a look at how the sausage is made.
OK Then. Just How Do You Make a Museum Exhibit Interactive?
It ain’t easy. But then again, nothing worthwhile ever is (apart from eating Funyons...we’ll let that one through). So let’s talk shop.
How do you turn a regular museum exhibit into an interactive powerhouse? One that stuns everyone from 8 to 88? Well, we developed a cunning six-step process that ensures every project resonates with its audience and achieves its goals. And as we’re not greedy, we’re gonna share.
1. Define the AUDIENCE
Rule number one: You should know EXACTLY who you’re talking to, and why. Are you about to engage tech-savvy millennials, adventurous families, or people barely dipping their toes into the world of interactivity? Find out. There’s also a big possibility you’re talking to several of those audiences at one time, so knowing how to make the experience as interesting to an expert as it is to a beginner is crucial. But there must always be a foundational link between them all, whether it’s Harry Potter, a love for ancient Egypt, or even wanting to explore space…the final frontier (thanks Kirk).
2. Outline the EDUCATIONAL Goals
Every experience (sorry, no exceptions) should leave your visitors with something inherently valuable, whether it's a deeper understanding of the exhibit, an inspiring takeaway, or a memorable story they can’t wait to tell others. With that goal very much front of mind, we always set clear educational objectives, ensuring that the content is as entertaining as it is informative. These goals act as your definitive North Star, guiding the narrative and interactive elements to deliver impact that’s much like a meteor slamming into Earth.
3. Spell Out the NARRATOR’S VOICE and Point of View (POV)
There’s a saying that’s almost cliche because it’s used so often; but good gravy, it’s on the money. It’s not just what you say but HOW you say it. That’s why we carefully choose the narrator's voice and perspective to resonate with the target audience. It could be an authoritative guide (think Walter Cronkite), a playfully cheery companion, or a trusted friend sharing insights. But as long as you know exactly where that voice is coming from, you’re guaranteed to get consistency in the messaging; and this helps build trust and a lasting connection with your audience.
4. Brainstorm Engaging INTERACTIONS
Next up, we get busy with super-creative brainstorming sessions to figure out captivating ways for your visitors to interact with the exhibit. The goal here is to make the tech behind these interactions feel invisible, creating a seamless experience that looks and feels more magical. From holographic-like elements to touch-free controls, we aim to make technology feel invisible and for natural and intuitive interactions. And that’s the crystal key to immersion.
5. PROTOTYPE, Repeat, and Learn
We strongly believe that innovation thrives on experimentation and testing. So, we develop cunning prototypes to test concepts and gather valuable feedback, refining every element based on real-world insights. This repetitious (but NEVER boring) process allows us to identify what works, what doesn’t, and continually make improvements to get to the ideal solution.
6. INSTALL and Test
It’s alive. Alive! Yes, we’ve reached the point where we bring our combined vision to life with a meticulous installation process. Our finicky (hey, in this case it’s a compliment) team ensures every element is flawlessly integrated, and we conduct rigorous testing to guarantee a smooth user experience. From technology calibration to final walkthroughs, this stage ensures that the finished product meets the highest standards of quality and reliability. And if it doesn’t pass, we keep on going like The Terminator until it does.
And speaking of technology, here are some of the interactive elements we love to incorporate:
- Touchscreens
- Projection mapping
- Gamified experiences
- Physical to digital interfaces
- Holographic showcases
- Augmented and virtual reality (AR & VR)
So what does all of this look like in practice. Well, come with us traveler, and take a peek at some of the “proof of the pudding” examples we’ve put together for you.
Interactive Museum Exhibit Examples
1. Harry Potter: The Exhibition
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is a thrilling museum experience that apparates (sorry, that’s a wizardy world for “transports”) guests into the realm of Hogwarts. But instead of a traditional linear tour (snooze), guests get to go on their very own personalized adventure in the most iconic castle known to muggles everywhere.
We partnered with Imagine Exhibitions and Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment to bring its many enchanting settings to life. And using touchscreens, augmented reality, and immersive projection, guests can brew a Polyjuice Potion, see themselves in the Sorting Hat, and get sorted into one of the Hogwarts Houses so they can win points for their team throughout the interactive experience.
Thanks to 3D modeling and animation, guests can also find themselves inside Hagrid’s Hut and the Forbidden Forest, experiencing some of the most memorable moments from the beloved films first-hand.
And, using the magic of animation and video production, they can even fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, turning a physical replica of Harry’s or Lord Voldemort’s (whoops) He Who Must Not Be Named’s wand against one of their fellows in a dazzling display of duelling.
2. Stories From Everest
Crafted in partnership with the National Geographic Museum, our mountainous Everest exhibits take museum visitors on a pulse-pounding, spine-chilling journey to the top of the world using animation, stylized X-ray imagery, 3D printing, and AR.
The first exhibit overlays an AR time-lapse onto a physical model of a miniature mountain, illustrating two gut-wrenching stories that happen every year:
First, the perilous work of “icefall doctors” who prepare the Khumbu Icefall for other travelers to pass through. Second, the cyclical transformation of the Everest Base Camp, from a frozen wasteland to a bustling city, and a ghost town of discarded gear.
The second exhibit is an interactive infographic that displays an even more disturbing sight: an X-ray perspective of a human body starving for water and air as if it were climbing up to Mt. Everest’s titanic peak.
Both interactive museum exhibits are displayed on touchscreens and touch tablets to let guests experience them up close and personal. And this one looks and feels VERY personal.
3. Becoming Jane
The dynamic “Becoming Jane” exhibit, created in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), is a testament to Dr. Goodall’s groundbreaking study of humankind’s closest living relatives: the chimpanzees.
Visitors can engage with Dr. Goodall’s research through holographic displays that animate the notes and illustrations she kept in her field journal while living among the chimps in Gombe, Tanzania.
They can also witness first-hand the devastating effects of deforestation on chimpanzee habitats through an interactive map that visualizes JGI data, driving home the urgent need for sustainable environmental practices.
But our favorite part (yes, we might be biased) is the Tree of Hope; a projection of a vibrant tree that gains a new leaf each time a visitor makes a pledge. We hope it helps all those who visit the interactive exhibition hear Dr. Goodall’s message: “Every individual makes a difference.” And that includes you.
4. Rise of the Robots
Featuring more than 70 robots, androids, and cyborgs from the last 100 years, Rise of the Robots: A Sci-Fi History of Mechanical Men & Hybrid Humans is an interactive installation that explores film and television’s most beloved bionic humanoids.
Created for our friends at the Smithsonian Channel, Rise of the Robots lives entirely in parallel layers of HTML architecture.
And while we’re palpably proud of our interactive display’s status as a “Please touch!” feature in the National Air and Space Museum, its content is also fully accessible on desktops and mobile devices all around the world.
Wherever you peruse it, Rise of the Robots is a delightfully illustrated timeline that invites you to scroll through a century of science fiction and historical events.
Viewers learn all about iconic movie cyborgs, like Luke Skywalker, real-life bionics pioneers, like Bertolt Meyer, and the surprisingly symbiotic relationship between them. And what kind of fun is that? We know… way too much fun.
Hire NeoPangea To Build Your Next Interactive Exhibit
Is there a concept for an interactive museum exhibit trapped inside that beautiful brain of yours? Want our help dragging it kicking and screaming, in the best possible way, into the real world? Well we’d love nothing more than to hear from you.
So go ahead, make our millennium. Drop us a line, and let’s build something truly unforgettable, together.
Learn More: Interested in reading more about the power of interaction? Check out our other articles on the subject: