Designing Digital Engagement at Moesgaard Museum
Authors
Stadsholt, Sebastian Tor Douglas ; Trinh, Jacky Quan Cam ; Johansen, Niels Kristian
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-06-05
Pages
52
Abstract
Many museums use digital technologies to tell cultural stories, but these elements often fail to hold attention because they are poorly integrated and offer limited interactivity. This thesis examines how hybrid interaction—mixing physical objects with digital screens—can support short-term, meaningful engagement in museum installations. We explore this through a redesign of The Commander’s Tent at Moesgaard Museum, a tangible exhibit that previously lacked feedback, variety, and multiplayer options. Using a Research through Design (RtD) approach, we created a hybrid user interface (HUI) that combines 3D-printed tokens with a touchscreen. Visitors arrange physical formations that trigger real-time audio-visual battle simulations. The prototype runs on a MultiTaction MT557D touch table with QR-based object recognition. We evaluated it on site using structured interviews, observations, data logging, and a short User Engagement Scale – Short Form (UES-SF) questionnaire. Results showed clear improvements in usability and engagement. Overall, 86.8% of participants preferred the redesigned version, highlighting the value of multiplayer interaction, clear feedback, and stronger alignment with the narrative. We conclude with design recommendations for hybrid museum experiences that enable quick onboarding and sustained visitor involvement.
Mange museer bruger digitale teknologier til at fortælle kulturhistorie, men digitale tiltag mister ofte publikums interesse, fordi de er dårligt integreret og giver for lidt at gøre. Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan hybrid interaktion – en kombination af fysiske objekter og digitale skærme – kan skabe kortvarigt, men meningsfuldt engagement i museumsinstallationer. Vi afprøver det gennem en redesign af Kommandantens Telt på Moesgaard Museum, en fysisk udstilling der tidligere manglede feedback, variation og mulighed for flere brugere samtidig. Med en forskning-gennem-design-tilgang (Research through Design, RtD) udviklede vi en hybrid brugergrænseflade (HUI), hvor 3D‑printede brikker kombineres med en touchskærm. Besøgende bygger fysiske formationer, som i realtid udløser audiovisuelle kampsimulationer. Prototypen blev implementeret på et MultiTaction MT557D touchbord med QR-baseret genkendelse af objekter. Vi evaluerede på stedet via strukturerede interviews, observationer, datalogning og en kort spørgeskemaudgave af User Engagement Scale – Short Form (UES-SF). Resultaterne viste markante forbedringer i både brugbarhed og engagement. 86,8 % af deltagerne foretrak den redesignede version og fremhævede især værdien af multiplayer-interaktion, tydelig feedback og en stærkere kobling til fortællingen. Afslutningsvis giver vi designanbefalinger til hybride museumsoplevelser, der muliggør hurtig introduktion og vedvarende brugerinddragelse.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]