Museum of Art: Virtual Prototype
Our team undertook a comprehensive review of the SCAD Museum of Art experience, immersing ourselves in the process to uncover opportunities for improvement. Through stakeholder engagement, interviews, surveys, and collaborative brainstorming, we gained invaluable insights into the museum’s strengths and areas for growth.
Building on this foundation, we worked together to refine the experience, culminating in a polished virtual prototype that reimagines the museum’s lobby. This project not only sharpened my problem-solving and design skills but also reinforced the power of collaboration and empathetic engagement in creating meaningful, impactful experiences.
Discovery & Framing
Exploring the museum experience—engaging with stakeholders and analyzing visitor feedback to identify opportunities for enhancing the SCAD Museum of Art’s lobby.
In the initial phase of our study, we conducted an exploration of the museum. This involved engaging in conversations with various stakeholders, analyzing online reviews, and evaluating the museum’s web presence, all of which laid the groundwork for our journey map.
Moving forward we expanded our insights by conducting additional interviews and surveying museum visitors to inform the creation of a detailed service blueprint.
Current State Layout
Identifying challenges—recognizing friction points like a secluded admissions desk, confusing layout, and congested café/shop that impact the experience of all involved.
- “Small, Secluded Admissions Desk”
The current admissions desk fails to capture the attention of visitors - “Confusing Layout”
A wall divides the main lobby space and there is an absence of noticeable wayfinding - “Congested Café / Shop”
The café/shop space is very crowded and awkward to navigate
Testing & Revision
Collaborating with docents—conducting workshops and developing a virtual prototype to visualize and refine proposed enhancements based on valuable feedback.
Our collaborative efforts continued with a brainstorming workshop involving docent employees whose valuable input helped us identify key areas for improvement. With these insights, we proposed practical alterations, including the addition of welcoming lobby seating, a reconfiguration of café seating, adjustments to the admissions desk, and the introduction of floor-marked thoroughfares.
To test and visualize these changes we developed a virtual prototype that could be experienced through a VR headset. With it we gathered feedback and further refined our prototype.
Proposed State
Reimagining the space—introducing a prominent admissions desk, dedicated pathways, and a redesigned café/shop to create a more welcoming and navigable environment.
- Prominent Admissions Desk
The admissions desk was redesigned to be clear & straightforward - Dedicated Pathway
The floor has been segmented into designated walking areas & seating has been added for comfort - Café / Shop Redesign
The new café layout is designed to be an open & relaxing space
Final Deliverable: Service Blueprint
Documenting the journey—compiling insights and design solutions into a comprehensive service blueprint to guide the implementation of improvements.
