Very Interesting!

Really interesting article to check out in relation to our discussions regarding social sites: 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113974893&sc=fb&cc=fp

Who Are You?

Our assignment was to put together a slideshow presentation that demonstrated who we are, where we are from and where we are going. I had a number of different ideas as to how to present this and actually ending up making two very different presentations. However, eventually one won out over the other. 

This presentation focuses on a number of different aspects of my life. First, with my family - both past and present. Second, me in my  work environment. Third, my beloved pets. And finally, my potential future - riding away with Bruce Springsteen. 

slide 3-6: childhood / family 

my parents, visiting grandmas house in Kansas, swimming in the back yard - and in my defense the image in slide 6 was taken after about 7 hours of walking around Niagara Falls so Im not sure why everyone else is so cheerful. 

slide 8-9: work 

I spent the summer working at the Art Institute of Chicago in the Visitor Services Department. During the opening of the Modern Wing we were forced to wear red Target vests - I somehow got stuck with an XL size. However, we did get a museum staff party! Clearly, I represented myself as the epitome of sophistication. 

slide 11-12: pets 

I have one dog and one cat. The cat beats up on the dog - which Im beginning to think is taking its toll because Pickle almost always looks nervous.  

slide 14: the future 

I am a big Bruce Springsteen fan - so this last image is pretty self explanatory. 

Whoop Dee Doo in Chicago

Kansas City based Whoop Dee Doo will be stopping by the Smart Museum Friday October 2nd at 5pm!! 

Whoop Dee Doo is "a kid-friendly faux public access television show featuring pre-planned performances accompanied by live audience participation". 

It's a great event for kids to come out and dance, make art and have fun! 

http://www.whoopdeedoo.tv/index.html

If you have the chance check it out!

Museum Visit

For this assignment we took a field trip to AIC to evaluate the museums usage of technology and media as well as general interaction between staff and visitors. I had the advantage of looking at this assignment from two differing points of view - one as a student experiencing the museum  and the other as a AIC  staff member interacting with the visitors. With that in mind here are my findings: 

- With the opening of the modern wing the museum installed Pathfinder "touch screen" maps to aide patrons in their search for general information, specific pieces or locations of special exhibitions. While this is an innovative (and fun) way to guide visitors I feel that there is still potential to be reached. One map is located in the original main building and is easily accessible to passing visitors. Another however is located in the modern wing near the entry hall of the Education Center where it sees little foot traffic / usage from the general patrons. 

-Upon completion of the modern wing addition the entire museum received a "signage makeover" so to speak. New directional signs went up throughout the building, floor plans were redesigned and multiple new pamphlet guides were displayed. Some of these additions however are viewed as misleading or simply confusing to visitors. Therefore many patrons rely on the staff members and volunteers to direct them. 

- Despite the addition of new signage, floor plans and self-guides the majority of patrons prefer the "ask before you look" method. I'd have to say that 90% of people prefer to simply ask a staff member before acknowledging available signage or floor plan displays. You would be amazed how many people come up to the checkroom and/or podium with cash in hand to purchase tickets. As a member of the staff myself I can say firsthand from experience could be more technology / directional assets to assist the visitors. We receive a number of comments / complaints regarding the signage issue - everything from the lack of "push/pull" signs on the doors in the modern wing to the display of museum rules/policies. However, I believe that for the majority of visitors it will always be easier to simple ask a "live" person. You can only get so much from a screen or booklet. 

-The museum offers a number of tours that visitors can choose from based on their general interests. The Directors Tour is guided by James Cuno and focuses on a selection of significant pieces within the museum. The American Arts Tour offers information on American decorative arts, painting and sculpture. The Lions Trail Tour if offered to families with young children - usually from 5-10 years old. The Collections Highlights Tour covers selected works throughout the museum - everything from Ancient Greece to Modern & Contempoary.

- The Education Center is a wonderful asset for teachers and families. The space itself is beautifully designed and a major improvement on the previous space. As a staff member interacting with visitors I have noticed that the general patron usually does not realize that the Education Center is available to them.

-The AIC website offers a wide range of interactive and informational media. Everything from Twitter to Podcasts - the website seems very up-to-date with current tech savy interactive media. Current special exhibitions are clearly displayed on the sites main home page along with basic information regarding hours and admission prices. The website also offers a series of Self-Guide documents that visitors can access prior to their visit. 

If I were to design a more "effective" interactive feature for the museum I would institute a more physical interactive design. I feel that by offering more in depth guided tours and gallery talks visitors could come away with a more informed experience. Create opportunities for visitors to interact more closely with staff and even curators in the hopes of getting a better understanding of not only the history and significance of the art work but also the thought process and issues of designing a layout and installation of great works. The "Becoming Edvard Munch" exhibit for example - a number of visitors voiced complaints / comments regarding the purpose of placing Munch's work along side his contemporaries. Many viewed it as simply "filling space". However those who read further, got an audio guide or participated in the curators gallery talk thought it was an excellent way to present the material. 

radio lab

If you haven't checked it out already WNYC's Radio Lab is one of the best radio podcasts out there. Always informative, interesting, entertaining and totally addictive! Topics include everything from parasites to the "after life".  This short mid-season episode demonstrates the challenges and creative solutions of radio journalism and editing. Since the show focuses primarily on scientific material (which at times can be somewhat dense and overwhelming) this is a great example of sound editing that creates a approachable visual of the topic at hand. 

http://blogs.wnyc.org/radiolab/2008/09/09/making-the-hippo-dance/

Project #1 - Digital Photobet

Finally complete! I must admit this seemingly simple task proved to be somewhat troublesome at times. Q in particular was rather elusive. And to my surprise B gave me quite the run around. But nonetheless all 26 letters are accounted for.