Museums Without Walls – Astha Sethi

Museums

Without Walls

Democratising STEAM Education through Immersion

Breaking geographical barriers through VR, Museums Without Walls aims to bring immersive museum experiences to every child.

Role: Student, Design Strategy Capstone
Duration: 1 year (Fall 2023 + Spring 2024)
Team: Individual project, Parsons School of Design

CONTEXT

In the Design Strategy Capstone Studio, this project spans two semesters: the first focused on research, while the second concentrated on design strategy and prototyping. During this phase, I developed a comprehensive strategic plan for implementing the concept, collaborating with external partners and stakeholders. Key activities included concept testing, landscape analysis, roadmap development, and iterative prototyping.

Before diving into my journey, I want to share a story to illustrate how this museum works and how it came to life.

RESEARCH QUESTION

How might we enhance the user experience in museums to foster engaging and playful learning, facilitating the easy comprehension of complex information through interactive storytelling and participatory techniques?

… and making it accessible for everyone, everywhere.

What if the wonders of art and science were no longer limited by geographical gap?

THE CONCEPT

A free and open-source STEAM platform (STEM + Arts) for 5-14-year-olds, democratizing the museum experience. Breaking geographical barriers through virtual reality aims to bring an immersive museum experience to every child.

VALUES

Redefining immersion: The future of connection lies in immersion, not immersive
Inclusion not exclusion: Not limited to remote areas. Opportunity for developed cities to learn about remote museums and indigenous communities
Shifting the focus: Bringing transition in remote areas virtually

STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS

What if internet access or devices are not available to the audience?
Where would the content (collections/archives/ etc.) come from? What format would it need to be in order to be conducive to the immersive experience?
What are the types of resources needed to create, implement, and maintain this immersive experience?

LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS

Despite the growth of online learning, accessibility, and inclusivity remain challenges
There is no platform exactly like that. Existing platforms with museum content consist of learning about one museum only

BRAND DEVELOPMENT

WORKSHOP TAKEAWAYS

CO-CREATION

Workshop with an afterschool STEM Innovation Hub
A/B Testing (Self-guided tour vs. explore on your own)
Insights: The quality of sound design plays an important role
Disruptive Strategies: Timer/ bite-sized tours to avoid a longer headset experience, and making it available for desktop/ mobile.

BUSINESS MODEL

PROTOTYPE 1

VR Museum Tour

This prototype introduces museum tours through VR. It’s accessible via headsets, low-cost cardboard viewers, and desktop/mobile 360 tours.

Toolkit
Bezi, Figma, Sketchfab

VR MUSEUM TOUR

Learn to make

Inspiring kids through VR museum tours to explore, guiding them to create their own content and fostering creativity and innovation.

VR MUSEUM TOUR

Make to learn

Encouraging hands-on creation as a means of immersive learning, promoting active engagement and skill development.

VR MUSEUM TOUR

Share to care

Cultivating a culture of sharing and collaboration, fostering empathy and community engagement through the peer gallery walk

PROTOTYPE 2

AR Flashcard Explorer

This prototype employs AR flashcards as an interactive icebreaker activity. The cards prompt to scan visual markers, revealing 3D models, sparking curiosity and engagement.

Immersive Storytelling and Narrative Design
It empowers user with the agency through interactive elements of AR Flashcards, making their journey more personal and engaging.

Toolkit
Bezi, Figma, Sketchfab

Turning Heads by asthasethi on Sketchfab

PROTOTYPE 3

Photogrammetry hub

This prototype focuses on open-source galleries and public art initiatives by 3D scanning artifacts, promoting accessibility to historical artifacts and fostering community engagement.

Cultural and Environmental Futures
By capturing cultural artifacts, this prototype contributes to the preservation and promotion of cultural and environmental futures.

Toolkit
Bezi, Figma, Sketchfab

LEARNINGS

Stakeholder Alignment
Balancing differing stakeholder priorities was challenging, so I held regular feedback sessions to ensure alignment.

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Co-Creation in Prototyping
Balancing user feedback with business goals was challenging. I conducted rapid testing and iterated prototypes to align both.

Live Capstone Presentation