Make Browsing Fun: 6 Interactive Gallery Solutions

Engaging User Experiences: Transforming Traditional Galleries

There’s a fairly universal feeling when you walk into a drab art gallery, and the poorly-lit images almost seem to wilt away from view, embarrassed that you’ve caught them in such terrible conditions. Seems Like in contrast, there’s an electric experience when you step into a well-designed gallery that is simply buzzing with activity. People are apparently chatting, poking away at interactive screens, and pawing through booklets and guides created for engaging and multi-sensorial viewing experiences. Not all art is visual or two-dimensional in nature; most of it is meant to inspire the senses and leave us with reverberating themes or emotions at the end of it all.

At least, I think so. Interactive art doesn’t always have to be loud or overwhelming either. It can be made immersive by using technology like AR/VR platforms, projection screens, audio-visual systems that catch the eye or create an immersive space using soundscapes.

Physical experiences aren’t out of fashion either as tie-ins to well-produced digital ones. We’re constantly looking for new ways to create innovative touchpoints in galleries that inspire people to come back for more each time. This can look like collaborating with digital artists to create an engaging walkthrough of the exhibit as though you were experiencing the theme behind it as first-person narration. Or sensory guided tours where small groups are led through a series of physical spaces tied together with digital elements, following scripts or guides written by authors and poets based on the artist’s work.

These audio-visual moments help bring life to traditional galleries while introducing interactivity with purpose. As art finds newer methods of connecting with its audiences in real life and digitally - through social media - we’ll find ourselves inching closer towards accessible luxury that elevates gallery experiences as more than just ‘a fun day out’. Interactive installations provide a fantastic opportunity for artists and museums alike to engage visitors beyond their time at the exhibit as well.

Gamification in Art: Making Browsing an Adventure

Ever wandered into a gallery that felt like it was sucking the energy out of you. White-washed walls. Artworks spaced ‘strategically’ apart to let visitors truly absorb each piece (although most would rather dash past as quickly as possible).

I Assume sometimes, the mere act of stepping into a gallery can take the fun out of art. But when gamification becomes part of the experience, things take a turn for the better. A lot of art can seem like it’s out of reach for most people. Whether the art is meant for sale or display, something about staring at pieces hung up on blank walls can feel a little cold.

Adding some gamification elements to exhibitions helps people find common ground with these displays and the artists who created them. Some works simply look pretty while others are intended to spark more profound feelings in viewers – regardless of which category an artwork fits into, adding fun to a gallery experience makes pieces more memorable and enjoyable. I suppose it makes sense that engaging with things using more than one sense would make us enjoy them more, and remember them better.

There are multiple ways for this gamification to take shape. Many physical galleries have started incorporating Augmented Reality (AR) tools in their showings. Pieces from the exhibition can arguably be seen in 3D through QR codes placed next to the artwork itself. Some even have options for visitors to transform their favourite pieces into digital assets such as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

These tools go a long way in helping showcase artwork interactively and also ensure that artists can get compensated for their work if visitors would like to purchase them. For a place that many would say has been quite resistant to change in the past, seeing so many interactive tools being used is rather lovely. Gamification isn’t just for physical spaces though, as is often believed to be the case. Virtual gallery spaces such as Metaverse platforms too have been incorporating game design principles to make art browsing and purchasing fun again.

Even if certain things may never be able to replicate what it feels like to walk through an actual museum filled with physical pieces of art, there is something inherently magical about experiencing artwork designed by creative visionaries from around the world through a virtual gallery. After all, virtual galleries have managed to make gamification and interactiveness accessible and democratic by anyone who wants to use it - which feels like something worth celebrating.

Best Practices for Designing Interactive Art Experiences

You know that feeling when you’re walking through a gallery, and you’re not sure whether you can touch anything. Or if the art is about to start making noises at you. It’s a bit awkward. Makes Me Think Of if you want to create an interactive art experience, and you don’t want your guests to be lost, it’s quite important to put yourself in their shoes.

Think about how they’ll interact with your artwork, and how they’ll feel afterwards. Keep in mind that making art interactive isn’t just about engaging all the senses. It’s also about making the experience accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful. Make it easy for people to join in by giving them clear instructions or clues.

But don’t force them to participate in ways that make them uncomfortable. Sort of. Not everyone will want to take part in the same way, so give them options like pressing a button or moving a prop around.

It’s also wise to plan for unexpected scenarios where your installation might malfunction or get used more than anticipated. If you’re using sound or lights, make sure they’re set at comfortable levels for most people. Don’t be afraid of letting people get creative with your installation.

Some artists think of their work as finished pieces meant to be protected from others’ ideas. Others look at it as an ever-evolving process influenced by others’ input and perspectives. There are reportedly many ways to make art more interactive, from incorporating technology like AR/VR and sensors to adding physical elements or even food.

When designing for interaction, remember that it should enhance the experience rather than distract from the artwork itself.