News/Research

New Media Working Group Exploratorium Field Trip

12 May, 2014

New Media Working Group Exploratorium Field Trip

The New Media Working Group visited the Exploratorium last Tuesday, May 6th for a tour of new media exhibits and discussion of the production of new media works at one of San Francisco's favorite museums. Our wonderful Exploratorium hosts, including Chris Cerrito, offered us a backstage pass and we were able to check out the Exploratorium's design methodology in their on-site workshops. The group was surprised to find that the Exploratorium deliberately resists screen-based exhibits, remaining committed to tangible user experiences that cannot be replicated by a digital device at home. We also enjoyed learning that the Exploratorium tests its exhibits by wheeling them out into the public space for the public to interact with and critique. Designers can then watch how the public interface with their creations and continue their iterations based on this feedback.

Pictures from the action-packed visit below!