Chris

Interpretation planning

Building a good visitor experience takes care, who are the audiences? What do they need? What do we want them to understand? How do we communicate and what are our key messages?

These are all part of interpretation planning, building out a foundation that supports a reasoned, effective approach to plann ing and delivering the best outcome.

Digital Interpertation

At its heart, digital interpretation is just another medium, like labels, objects, wall displays it exists to support visitors in building their own understanding.

But unlike labels the breadth, depth of information and potential for personalisation digital media can deliver brings great potentials, but also pitfalls.

The key for good digital interpretation is selecting the right technology for the right reasons, avoiding the impulse for spectacle and novelty for its own sake.

User Experience Design

Design is often understood as graphics on a page, fashion clothing, a well turned out couch. But a visitor’s experience goes beyond single objects or presentations, the contextual model of visitor experience encompasses everything.

From the signage, to lighting, the ticket in your hand and the sound of your voice. The environment you move in, the services you use and the consideration paid to the facilities available are just as much part of the experience as the displays and as a whole can offer a considered successful experience.

Content Production

There is a wealth of talented writers, performers, filmmakers, animators, illustrators, artists of all form and medium available to bring a depth and emotional richness to the interpretation of heritage.

But every discipline and medium has its own conventions, requirements and networks, navigating these to the best outcome requires an understanding, careful planning and clear communication.

Project management

Project management can sometimes be misunderstood as Gant charts and resource lists, but done well it is the glue that holds everything together.

Good project management is about communication and understanding, everyone is clear about what is expected of them, how they are supported and who is relying on them to deliver on the common goals.

The occasional Gant chart might creep in but foremost the job is understanding everyones roles, the relationships between them, removing any friction in the process and involving but never overwhelming those involved.

Research and strategy

One of the biggest risks of failure in any project is an incomplete understanding or the situation or an uncertain goal.

Research is a key stage in any project, at a desk reading existing information or out in the world engaging stakeholders and audiences in inquiry before you can define the goals of the project you need to understand the situation.

And once you understand the situation, developing, defining and communicating the goals, strategy, the intent of the project is key to a common understanding and arrival at the right destination.