Experience Design Research and Prototyping for the Smithsonian’s David H. Koch Hall of Fossils
Client: National Museum of Natural History | Location: Washington, DC
We led multiple rounds of formative research and prototyping to support the monumental reimagining of the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
OVERVIEW
We partnered with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and digital design studio Richard Lewis Media Group to lead a series of formative testing and prototyping efforts to support a massive undertaking—the complete physical and conceptual renovation of the 31,000-square-foot David H. Koch Hall of Fossils, also known as Deep Time.
Deep Time puts climate change front-and-center, prompting visitors to think about how Earth’s distant past is connected to our present and future while considering their own impact on the planet.
APPROACH
We led multiple phases of formative testing with NMNH’s audiences throughout exhibition design and development, with the goals of:
Understanding how audiences make sense of (and their comfort levels with) core exhibition messages, especially around climate change
Prototyping static and multimedia exhibits to ensure smooth usability and message delivery, and
Using the results to iterate and strengthen both individual exhibits and the holistic visitor experience
Across phases, we tested a range of exhibits and experiences, from a video modeled in the shape of an ice core to touchscreen kiosks that bring evolution and change over time to life. We took a qualitative approach to testing overall, blending contextual observations with in-depth interviews to understand both usability and audiences’ reactions. In total, we led over one hundred onsite testing sessions with individuals representing a variety of ages and backgrounds.
CLIENT TAKEAWAYS
Insights from each round of formative research helped the museum and design team make subtle (and sometimes more substantial) changes to designs to ensure they ultimately promoted Deep Time’s core messages while remaining human-centered. For instance, we learned what attracted audiences to different exhibits or ideas and potential barriers to engagement related to processing the relationship between fossils and humans today.
Our efforts helped ensure that the Deep Time exhibition was poised to move audiences to think in new ways about how their lives and actions relate to Earth’s past, present, and future.
