GordonGR11

Information Design ~ Reading Day 11 ~ Once again we were given the assignment of reading from the Critical Reflections on Museums by Saul Carliner, PhD, CTDP. He is Director of the Education Doctoral Program and associate professor of educational technology at Concordia University in Montreal. This time around, Saul tries to stay on the topic of What Museums Cost Visitors – and Lessons for Information Architects and Information Designers.

Seriously, who is this guy? My theory here is that he just figured out a way to vacation across Europe on his employer’s dime. Or this is one big “write-off” in the guise of research for a forthcoming book. I now know why he used white type in his blog design – it represents a white bread sandwich with nothing in the middle.

Thing is, I was expecting more from Saul. I thought this reading would hold some keen insights to the rationale and strategies behind museum admission fees. His views on the value of museums and the information they hold. I thought there would be pearls of wisdom from the man on the great service that these institutions provide to a society and their proper place in the “economic realm” of education. Instead, Saul listed off various cities along with the museum’s gate fee. I can get this “incredible” insight from my travel agent. Too bad Groupon wasn’t around then, Saul would have hit gold (and another paragraph) on them there deals! He then went on to weave a frail link between information architects, information designers and user fees for websites. His “exhibition” on that wasn’t worth the price of admission either.

An Economics class will explain supply and demand, what the market will bear and the realities of discretionary spending. Consumers have a portion their income earmarked as “entertainment dollars”. Museums may fall on a person’s list of things to do. Many factors are pulling for and competing with any museum and the options there in. Then there are the many variables that fall within the museum category itself – private museums, public museums, tax supported, fee based, and touring exhibitions and on and on. Each one is out there fighting for the public’s attention in the hopes of luring more visitors.

Realizing this market place, the roles of museum Information Architects and Information Designers now take on even greater responsibilities. The visual and informational experience in the museum must consistently live up to the expectations of the visitors. All the information from parking and ticket window to the smallest of displays must be of value. All displays should be in working order. All information plaques and posters must be in tact. Add to that the concept of continual improvements –incorporating the latest technological delivery mediums to existing displays. Give me your grand thoughts on that Saul – not how many euros I might need in Paris.