Association for Heritage Interpretation
2006 Awards
Award and Special Award
National Waterfront Museum
Amgueddfa Cymru / National Museum Wales
We were impressed that the technological media used facilitated rather than detracted from the human nature of the interpretive themes.
There is clear evidence to show planned interpretation, all exhibition areas are clearly themed, identifiably regional / local in character and sensitive to the range and flow of target audiences.
However, on entering the museum, the mechanical orientation was out of order and, despite the provision of information leaflets it was unclear to us which direction we should take to start our tour. The staff were aware of the technical problems and how long it would take to correct them BUT there are big problems with the mechanical media, a number of exhibits were broken down although continual maintenance was evident.
We feel that there should be staff wearing ‘ask me’ T-shirts to help out with visitor understanding of the technology.
The media are appropriate to the stated messages and audiences, they are well spaced, the sound and light levels are particularly well considered, making for a sense of uncluttered, light, clean and modern physical and psychological space. This is holistic, thoughtful design. Heights are good for all abilities.
Layout and design of contents, in keeping with media design, is excellent, well considered, clear and uncluttered. The use of the ‘dumb waiter’ to deliver stories / themes within a limited space yet making a feature of the machinery was inspired!
Special Award
We applaud the museum’s desire for total inclusivity and these aims seem to be met to a great extent. The museum is fully accessible to all physical abilities, language and type size for text panels is generally good and the use of British Sign Language is a good idea although we cannot verify the meaning.
There is clear evidence to show planned interpretation, all exhibition areas are clearly themed, identifiably regional / local in character and sensitive to the range and flow of target audiences.
However, on entering the museum, the mechanical orientation was out of order and, despite the provision of information leaflets it was unclear to us which direction we should take to start our tour. The staff were aware of the technical problems and how long it would take to correct them BUT there are big problems with the mechanical media, a number of exhibits were broken down although continual maintenance was evident.
We feel that there should be staff wearing ‘ask me’ T-shirts to help out with visitor understanding of the technology.
The media are appropriate to the stated messages and audiences, they are well spaced, the sound and light levels are particularly well considered, making for a sense of uncluttered, light, clean and modern physical and psychological space. This is holistic, thoughtful design. Heights are good for all abilities.
Layout and design of contents, in keeping with media design, is excellent, well considered, clear and uncluttered. The use of the ‘dumb waiter’ to deliver stories / themes within a limited space yet making a feature of the machinery was inspired!
Special Award
We applaud the museum’s desire for total inclusivity and these aims seem to be met to a great extent. The museum is fully accessible to all physical abilities, language and type size for text panels is generally good and the use of British Sign Language is a good idea although we cannot verify the meaning.
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The museum aimed successfully for total inclusivity