[Information Design] Chrysler Museum of Art

The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia uses information design processes to help their visitors navigate the exhibits and understand the information being presented.

One of the information design techniques they use is way-finding by proving signs and maps for navigation. Most doorways and stairwells had a map and/or sign visible to help a visitor orient themselves. A guided tour is also available, and starts at an iPad terminal in the front of the museum.

While these signs were well placed and easy to read, I still found it possible to miss them and get turned around while looking through the exhibits. If they were in a more obvious but still unobtrusive place - such as hanging from the ceiling above doorways - they might be easier to find.

The exhibits themselves were all placed in mostly open spaces, allowing a visitor to easily make their way around to each exhibit without running into other visitors.

Digital media was implemented throughout the exhibits - videos about the specific art in the room, the history of the movement to which the art belonged, etc - in order to enhance the experience of the visitor and give more information. Boards with historical information on exhibits from specific time periods were also used. These were all clear and easy to read and locate. 

Which, of course, does not include the digital works of art themselves, as pictured below. One artwork, created for the Mayan exhibit, included a Spanish translation of the information, though I only noticed this on the one exhibit.

The exhibits themselves were clearly labeled as well - for smaller works, a placard at the bottom of the case was utilized, with small glass blocks used to distinguish which title belonged to which work. They were also listed in the same order as they were stacked, which added a second layer of association. 

Freestanding exhibits had similar placards on their bases:

While mounted works had placards next to them, or on the nearest wall:

This made all of the information easy to find and access. They also used multiple methods to let visitors know how close they could get to the artwork, such as tape lines and rope.

Collections/exhibits also had large title signs to let visitors know what was ahead.

Other than making the directional signs more noticeably visible, I don't think the Chrysler Museum of Art leaves much to desired for information design - it takes into account the physical movement of people in a space, has a plethora of signage placed in well traveled areas, and clearly marks all of its exhibits and collections.