Original design idea 1 for the MoCI. MMcA.
A museum display cabinet with a secret door for children. Solve a puzzle to enter. ‘Cause and effect’ will light up specific areas. Inside the play area, children can view exhibits from different perspectives. Drawers open for handling items, ‘tactile’ panels etc. Information is layered for all-age appropriate interest.
The Museum and exhibitions have a distinctive and consistent house-style. Exhibition themes, design, communication and associated activities are based on ever-evolving displays of artefacts and collections to ensure variety and interest for all visitors, rather than a static archive. The exhibition design and visual communications strategy accommodates the wide range of museum of childhood themes and displays of artefacts. To tell the individual and diverse stories of childhood and growing up, and to explore deep childhood themes, alongside tried and tested museum interactivity, such as handling collections, the museum will use a variety of art forms to explore displays and exhibitions, the museum will actively embrace and implement new media technologies.
An upgraded Website and App will be used to:
- Promote the Museum and outline its purpose and aspirations
- Give an account of the contents and activities in the Museum (this will serve as an introduction to the Museum before a visit to the physical location, act as a guide during a visit, and be a reference point after a visit)
- Show a calendar of events
- Provide logistical information and useful links
- Tie in with off-site activities and events organised by the museum or in conjunction with partner groups
Accessible on visitors’ personal devices the app and website will be an intrinsic part of the museum and exhibitions. In addition to giving information on the exhibits, a digital interface lends itself to a multitude of educational and interactive possibilities.
A strong online application would tie into social media sites and other valuable online promotional platforms. It is important that our extensive collection of artefacts of material childhood culture is accessible for research, education and interest.
The use of Virtual, Immersive and haptic Reality, 3D Printing and Music Technology will enhance the visitors experience at the museum, so expect lots of fun. “People tend to forget that play is serious.” Children will also enjoy engineering ( the museum building once belonged to John Adair an inventor!) and coding as part of the Education offering available at the museum. Exhibitions and artefacts on the Museum’s site can be “liked” or “pinned” on visitors’ own personal pages. 2025 will see the creation of our new website and prior to that our hope is that through the use of VR, to bring you a searchable online archive of over 25,000 objects of material childhood culture and heritage with an Irish perspective!
Children curate their own exhibitions, and play with, and on it!
Original cabinet design idea 2 for the MoCI. MMcA.
