Using Movement to Captivate: Studio Play as a case study in creating immersive, meaningful experiences by removing the interface.

Museums can employ innovative, active technology to develop barrier-free access to museum collections. The Cleveland Museum of Art presents the new Studio Play interactive space as a case study for developing visitor-centered, visually-focused engagement. The new Studio Play is a manifestation of human-centered design, focusing on ways that screens can become irrelevant as users employ technology to further their creativity and curiosity.

The CMA team, working with Design I/O, considered the intricacies of designing interactives that feel relevant for a broad range of audiences, from school age children, to teens, to adults. By focusing on technology as a platform rather than technology for technology’s sake, we have attempted to move past the screen-time debate into kinesthetic and action-based experiences. CMA and Design I/O designed a suite of experiences that allowed visitors to connect with the artwork in the museum, and to the creative process of making art. By adding sensor technology, and limiting a touch-screen interface, Studio Play creates an immersive experience for visitors.

Studio Play was designed to be barrier free; the transition between observation and interaction is seamless and effortless. The touch-screen interfaces that may limit access for nonreaders or frustrate non-tech-savvy visitors are gone. Instead, the technology is exquisitely responsive to user movement and is accessible for all.

Bibliography:
Relevant Sources
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Chao, K., H. Huang, W. Fang, and N. Chen. (2013) Embodied play to learn: Exploring Kinect-facilitated memory performance. British Journal of Educational Technology. Volume 44, Issue 5, September 2013 Pages E151–E155.

Dickson, K. and B. Stephens. (2015). It's all in the mime: Actions speak louder than words when teaching the cranial nerves. Anatomical Sciences Education. DOI: 10.1002/ase.1531

Garzotto, F., M. Gelsomini , R. Mangano , L. Oliveto , M. Valoriani. (2014). From desktop to touchless interfaces: a model based approach, Proceedings of the 2014 International Working Conference on Advanced Visual Interfaces, May 27-29, 2014, Como, Italy

Klass, P. (2016, March 21). A Reconsideration of Children and Screen Time. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://nyti.ms/1RuDahv