PARALLAX

Antonella, Delace, Joy, and Sarah

Problem Statement

• How can new context be added to objects?
• How can objects be dynamic without changing them?
• How can we create experiences that have a lasting impact on visitors?

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Personae: Updates

MIT student body

Uninterested viewers who quickly move on from the viewing experience

Conscious viewers who are interested in learning more

Original Concept

Our project builds off of the walking audio tours provided at museums. Rather than creating a static commentary on the art pieces, our project aims to introduce a dynamic contextualization of museum objects by allowing visitors to listen to previous visitors’ comments and record their own.

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Parallax

Parallax

We wanted to rename our project to Parallax, to remove the connotation connected to the title of “audio tour”. We also wanted to move away from the name “Participatory Audio Tour” because we realized it’s more than just participation that drives the experiences we want to build. Our new focus relies as well on discovery and rediscovery, which is why we chose the name Parallax. The idea of using new angles, both physically with a work of art and mentally with new information from peers and docents, is a key element we’ve identified in our project.

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The List, and Indoor vs. Outdoor Exhibitions

• Our user research has helped us identify the ways a museum-goer differs from an individual who experiences a museum object on their day-to-day travel.
• A new issue to address is not how to better capture the experience of an initial emotional reaction, but instead how to reinvigorate a response to museum objects and spaces.

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Integrating New Elements

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Background and Anecdotes

Comprehension

“I like the narratives behind objects, like the Big Sail in front of the Green Building”

“If someone thinks Aesop’s Fables is cool, I’d like to know why”

“It’s like hacking, but legal”

“It makes it a social occasion even when you’re alone”

Guiding Audience Commentary

• User feedback provided an equal response to experiential/emotional commentary and interpretive commentary.
• Tagging is confirmed helpful, as people had distinct responses as to which types of audio they would want to listen to.
• With the focus of discovery, prompts can ask viewers to point out details that stand to them, guiding interpretation questions, emotional responses, etc.

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Updated Prototype

Technology Update

• We will spend the next few weeks working with Halsey Burgund, to develop a front-end version of Roundware that reflects our design intentions.

Questions or Comments?