Credit Points: 30
Study Time: 300 Hours

Interactive communication is a key feature of design for museums, heritage and information centres. This unit is designed to equip you with the understanding of critical concepts used by the interactive modelmaker. In addition a thorough understanding of the wide ranging parameters and imposed restrictions demanded by the nature of communicative design is introduced. The modelmaker may enhance communication, learning and entertainment through using technology and creativity to involve the viewer and encourage participation in all its elements.

Outline Syllabus
An indicative guide to the content covered by this unit. 

• Design and modelmaking communicative interactive media 
• Information and communication design to ensure accessibility and legibility
• Museum futures 
• Psychology, perception and sensory experiences 
• Health and Safety issues 
• Fundamentals of ergonomic and anthropometric design

Method of Delivery
Lectures, seminars, studio and workshop instruction, educational visits and group tutorials.

Aims

A1 To explore the changing role of the museum and exhibitions.
A2 To promote understanding of environmental accessibility as well as health and safety considerations when designing for the museum environment.
A3 To introduce communicative technologies to extend modelmaking in exhibit design.
A4 To explore the interface between the user and the model with regard to effective communication.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1 Demonstrate your knowledge and critical understanding of trends and future developments in the museum and heritage industry.
LO2 Demonstrate your understanding of the parameters and restrictions of environmental, accessibility and health and safety issues imposed by the nature of museum and exhibition focused environments.
LO3 Select and evaluate communicative technologies to support your modelmaking proposal. 
LO4 Assess and evaluate the effectiveness of your design for communication.

Reference Material

Key
Dernie, David. (2006) Exhibition Design. Laurence King.
Macdonald, Sharon, (1998). The politics of display. Routledge. Pp. 98-117

Recommended
Tufte, Edward R. (1990) Envisioning Information. Graphics Press.
Fondation de France, Museums without barriers, A new deal for disabled people. Routledge.
Ambrose, Timothy and Paine, Crispin. (1993). Museum basics. Routledge. Pp.71-78 and 88-95
Holmes, Nigel (1993). The best in diagrammatic graphics. Batsford.
Museums Journal, Museums Yearbook, New Heritage, Exhibition Design.

Websites
Exploratorium // Culture 24 // Eureka // Cabaret Mechanical Theatre