Museum Experience Design Concept

Experiential Design & 3D Design

Project Brief

Design an experience which enhances the Pen Museum in Birmingham.

My Response

I focused the concept on the promotion of calligraphy as a relevant art form, giving users the opportunity to build a unique pen which is fit for their needs. The visual language parodies popular smart technology companies, utilising minimalist, sleek visuals to convey an amusing sense of high-technology for a somewhat outdated tool. The experience is curated by Birmingham Design Festival (BDF).

Audience Personas

Sophie represents the group of people who are most likely to still use calligraphy today: artists. BCU is a sponsor of BDF, and so she would be a perfect target for the experience. Greg represents the group of people who have an interest in the niche subject matter that the Pen Museum has to offer.

"Excitement"

BDF invites creative arts students in Birmingham, like Sophie, to decorate the bull in the Bull Ring with black ink. This informs the students about the experience, getting them directly involved whilst doing so. A local news story would then be broadcast, outlining the details of the experience, which reaches people like Greg, who are interested in visiting the Pen Museum.

"Entry"

Pen nib-shaped kiosks are located directly outside the museum for Greg to use when he arrives. These kiosks are also located on BCU campus so that Sophie does not have to go out of her way to build her pen, and can complete the experience at a more convenient time for her.

"Engagement"

Visitors can use the screens on the kiosk to build their pen. Different types of pen nib and nib holder are provided for testing.

"Exit" and "Extension"

At the end of their museum visit, users enter their reference number into a kiosk at the collection station, and retrieve their unique pen. Users can then book a calligraphy lesson online at the Pen Museum, and will receive the first lesson free if they bring their pen. They are encouraged to use the hash tag #IMadeMyMark on social media when sharing anything they write or draw with their pen, reaching more new audiences who may take an interest in the experience.