BIG working group on exhibit development

Exhibit development is at the heart of most interactive centres. If the projections for the Millennium centres are right, BIG members (and prospective members) have a 100 fold increase in visitors to cater for in a couple of years. This article lays out some of the issues which the a group within BIG can consider in charting a way forward for exhibit development.

Objectives

The objectives should be considered in terms of the wider interests, such as enhancing the standing of BIG outside the organisation, or attracting new members, as well as the more immediate interests of members in their work.

More specifically, it is hoped to begin the process of setting up some guidelines which developers, clients and contractors can refer to when planning and developing exhibits. In attempting to do this, it is important of course that any guidelines do not limit the spirit of the work we do; but at the same time to recognise that there is a very worthwhile goal in helping to avoid some of the more wasteful and distracting problems which can arise. Pooling members knowledge and experience is essential in achieving this.

Scope

It is proposed to look at exhibit development on a wide basis, covering the different stages of the work, the range of skills and the various constraints. We should not be limited to exhibits with science & technology content only, and should also not exclude exhibitry with different forms and levels of educational content, such as schools exhibits or VR and interactive art.

In beginning to look a little further at the scope of what is involved in ‘exhibit development’ it was tentatively agreed that it might be useful to consider two broad stages: content/idea development, and design development.

The first of these is more concerned with communication, exploring subject matter, exhibit ideas, educational issues, setting goals and commonly involves some early prototype testing and evaluation. The second is concerned with progressively developing the various aspects of design of a particular idea in more detail and includes form and structure, styling, engineering, safety, ergonomics, comprehension, and is most likely to involve evaluation and various contract issues as well.

Possible initiatives

Having set out such a mammoth task, it is immediately apparent that publishing an exhaustive, definitive ‘tome’ would be impossible and a waste of time. To produce something useful, the approach has to be different. Two possible core tasks may be feasible, equating roughly to starting a top down and bottom up approach simultaneously:

General Guidelines

Produce a series of brief, very basic guidelines, each addressing particular issues. These could be a single side of A4, and be pitched at a general level. To some they would be common sense and unremarkable. However, to others they would be new and useful and would also serve to flag up key issues. Either way they could also begin to establish some basic principles on which we as members can all agree. The following example may illustrate what is envisaged:

Safety - safety is regulated by criminal, not civil law - the core principals of safety legislation are clear responsibility, due diligence and documenting decisions at the time when they are made - each individual involved in developing an exhibit has some personal legal responsibility for safety and should know what it is - due diligence includes taking expert advice, being aware of relevant statutory regulations, delegating tasks to people with reasonable competence

Commissioning development work - both a client and a contractor have obligations under a contract which is a voluntarily entered into agreement - being clear about the areas of design responsibility which are and are not part of a contract requirements is likely to lead to a more satisfactory result - a realistic price is more likely to lead to a successful completion then an under-priced one - details of the facilities which will be available to maintain an exhibit should form part of any final exhibit specifications - it is good practice for operating manuals to be specified and priced separately from the exhibit itself

Local Wisdom

On a voluntary basis, help make available for reference some of the body of local wisdom and information that exists throughout the membership. This material could be loosely catalogued and held by BIG, but its content would be unendorsed by BIG, use the local formats, and would be offered for reference only.

Some possibilities might be: Techniquest has its own safety document, 9 pages of close type and still growing; the Science Museum has its codes of Practice, template contracts and written standards for various aspects of engineering. We reproduce Harry White’s Exhibit Aphorisms on the opposite page as another example of local wisdom.

Other activities

A further strand concerned with personal networking and events is also possible, and this could form part of the consultation process with members.

James Grimster has suggested a forum to help with all sorts of fabrication business such as issues relating to CE marking, safety testing and co-operation on big projects.

Member’s comments thus far are invited. The form of involvement of members has yet to be considered, but if you would like to play an active part in this Special Interest Group, please contact Peter Trevitt.

Peter Trevitt is Head of Exhibit Development Science Communication Division National Museum of Science & Industry, London
Tel. +44 171 938 9791
Fax. +44 171 938 8163

Newsletter Spring 1998 Contents

Centres > Satrosphere News | What is happening to Light on Science? | Inspire News | Herstmonceux News

Exhibits > BIG working group on exhibit development | What is Design? | Exhibit Aphorisms | "Here's Looking at Euclid" - exhibit idea | Roald Dahl and the Children's Gallery | Are hybrids best? - viewpoint

Demonstrations and shows > Shows at the Exploratory | Exploding Can Demonstration | Water to wine Demonstration | Nitrogen story - urban myth?

Millennium News > More Millennium Grants | Pantechniques rewarded | Millennium awards scheme | A listing of interactive projects funded by lottery grants

Research > Measuring the performance of interactive centres

Resources and conferences > Conferences and Future Events | Indian Science Congress Report | Managing Science Centres Book Review | Children's Museums Book information

BIG > BIG Moves - From the Chair | BIG AGM Report | BIG Annual Report 1997