Parsons Paris

December 17, 2021

Museum API Chapter 3

Experience Journal Prototype Museum API

Winter break is around the corner which means the semester is almost coming to an end, with that being said this will be the final closing chapter for the senior Museum API class! 

A Quick recap on the concept of the class, Museum API is a senior level class taught by Stephanie Nadalo, social and art historian. The course welcomes all majors, Strategic Design Management, Art Media & Technology and lastly Fashion Design to come together under one roof to discover museum and art studies. We invite you to look back at chapters 1&2 to have a better understanding of the class.

This chapter will talk about the fundamental elements that should be included with a finalized prototype when presenting ideas to sponsors and or clients. Chapter 3 will have all the details on packaging, writing and delivering. 

So what goes into the final written documentation when presenting/packaging the Museum API projects? 

First: Communication to the Client 

This document should introduce the goals and intended audience of a project while making a persuasive argument in favor of its real-world implementation. It should discuss relevant aspects of the research and prototyping process and include a feasibility report that takes into consideration budgetary constraints and the precautions needed for the physical conservation of historical artifacts. This section could be addressed to the museum director, board of museum etc. 

Second: Mediation to the public

This is how to introduce a project to the public. This section can be conceived as a press release and/or a museum wall text that explains how (and why) people should engage with your project. 

Third: Budget 

 Estimate the actual costs (labor and equipment) necessary to implement a  project full scale in real life, and learn to identify possible avenues for financing. Does the project require the financial support of the museum? Could it be financed through grants, crowdfunding, corporate sponsorship, or fees imposed upon users?

Lastly: A Bibliography

Bibliographies are key, they include design precedents and historical research materials. Listing all the sources consulted including websites, databases, books, blogs, videos, etc. it can be beneficial and add to the impact of a project. 

The seniors were also asked to make a fun Final Project Video ( a teaser video roughly 2 minutes long) where the final prototypes are used in the space. Videos help in the marketing and publicity side of delivering a project and can be the most intriguing part of the deliverables! 

Overall the different groups of students all made excellent projects each targeting a specific demographic, from senior citizens, kids, foreigners etc. and produced works that can function and excel in the real world. 

A big thank you to Stephanie Nadalo and The design Agency Reciproque for all their guidence and support!!