How to Use Signage in Museums to Create Immersive Experiences

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Posted on 06/25/2024

Innovations in wall, floor, and ceiling graphic print signage along with digital technology is redefining the way people enjoy cultural, historical, or natural wonders in a museum. Creative integration of signage into exhibits and throughout galleries can offer visitors immersion and interactivity with new, informative, and fun connections between the exhibit and the participant. Museums can build multi-sensory exhibits that incorporate space in different ways to stimulate deeper engagement in dynamic environments. Interactive experiences create more meaningful experiences with visitors in immersive environments using touch screens, QR codes, and interactive guides. Immersive experiences can transport participants to new worlds with virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 360-degree mapping applications.

Museum Signage For Storytelling

Signage can bring your exhibits to life with storytelling elements that add dynamic education and entertainment features for memorable experiences. Every visitor consumes information in their own way and presenting background and providing deeper content with printed and digital signage helps reach everyone. Surround your guests with strategically placed digital screens and wall and ceiling wraps. Deploy print and digital art installations that convey exhibit information in new and exciting ways. Engage their senses and place your visitors in environments within the story, making them a part of the fun and journey.

Innovations in digital and print technology are making it easier to incorporate architectural features to share information in ways that encourage engagement. Both interior and exterior spaces can be converted into works of art with flexible graphic film that wraps around walls and attaches to other surfaces. Digital video screens can be used to add context to exhibits and attractions with video, text, and images that connect with audiences and add depth to exhibits. They can also be used for advertising future events and to generate revenue. Touchscreen technology and interactive art exhibitions give the guests greater control over their experience, making for a unique and unforgettable visit and a fun way to learn and be entertained. To encourage fuller engagement, social media walls let you curate user-generated content that adds personalization and encourages greater participation.

Museum Signage For Wayfinding 

The time to begin engaging with and educating your guests is the moment they arrive on your property, and nothing does the job as well as strategically placed and eye-grabbing wayfinding signage. Large, attractive banners can be used to announce events with bright, bold designs and sharp print quality. Directional signage can incorporate themes and keep your guests moving confidently through your space. Lobby displays can set the tone for the entire visit, providing information on exhibits, amenities, and restrooms. Wayfinding signage is also important for creating an environment of safety and inclusiveness and makes it easier for guests with a disability to navigate between exhibits.

Museum Signage to Enhance the Visitor Experience

As a museum director, your world is constantly changing with new exhibits being staged and the need to keep existing ones fresh and engaging. The same is true for the signage that makes your guest’s visit enjoyable, memorable, and that encourages repeat visits. Signage can be updated quickly and information kept relevant through content management systems (CSMs). Modular print signage and wall wraps provide temporary exhibit components that can be recycled or repurposed.  Digital signage and kiosks are playing an increasingly important role when it comes to creating a seamless, worry-free, and enjoyable visit. They help keep guests informed of event times and schedules in real time and post and update safety messages to reduce accidents. Interactive digital signage is ideal for reducing line wait times when used in kiosks for ticketing to exhibits or accepting food and beverage orders.

Museum Signage to Increase Revenue

It’s not uncommon for museums to rely on sponsorships and partnerships to bring exhibits to their patrons. Signage throughout the space can highlight this support and encourage future backing for programming. Signage can promote upcoming exhibits and generate interest in future events. Signage can help increase concession, gift store, and ticket sales and highlight exclusive deals and benefits for members. Museums can also sell ad time on digital screens to generate passive revenue.

Here Are The Top Ten Ways To Use Signage to Create Immersive Experiences

  1. Increase Interactivity and Guest Participation. Strategically placed signage gives visitors greater control over the planning or pace of their time in the museum. Schedules can be displayed and updated in real time on digital screens and ticketing kiosks let guests select options based on preferences.
  2. Create Immersive Environments for Exhibits. Technology is continually changing the expectations of your visitor and the sensory experiences you can provide them. Digital, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) signage exhibits lets your guests experience new worlds like never before.
  3. Increase Entrance and Exit Visibility. Provide your visitors with peace of mind by providing directional signage that stands out and is easily distinguished. Incorporate brand colors or exhibit themes on signage to inject creativity while helping guests navigate your space confidently.
  4. Reduce Perceived Wait Times. In the museum business, lines signify popularity and steady revenue, but long lines can mar the visitor experience. Use signs to share content that guests can read or watch. Inform them of expected wait times to improve guest satisfaction.
  5. Deliver Timely and Coordinated Emergency Alerts. Safety is always a concern. In the case of an emergency, moving visitors efficiently throughout an unfamiliar space can help avoid confusion and injury. Print signage should incorporate universally understood symbols. Digital signage can keep information relevant.
  6. Advertise Promotions and Special Events. Signage gets the word out to support membership drives, seasonal celebrations, gift shop discounts and special offers. Alert your supporters to unique events to generate ticket sales and attract repeat visits.
  7. Manage Ticket Sales With Kiosks. Better allocate staff to increase customer service throughout your museum with digital signage ticketing kiosks. Allow your visitors to select ideal times based on exhibit traffic and schedules. Touchscreens can offer language choices to accommodate the preferences of your guests.
  8. Sell Signage Ad Space for Revenue. Use your print and digital signage for income potential by selling ad space to local community businesses. Build merchandise tie-ins and promotions and generate interest around high-traffic exhibits. Digital signage, in particular, offers opportunities with easy-to-use content management tools to curate ad content.
  9. Streamline Food Orders with Digital Menu Boards. Digital signage makes it extremely efficient for your visitors to place food orders in your museum café or restaurant. They can quickly get information about menu options and nutritional and dietary facts to help them make more informed choices.
  10. Promote Concession Stands and Gift Shops. Your gift shop signage can do more than welcome shoppers and list hours of operation. Create and display engaging digital content around your museum’s gift apparel, jewelry, books, collectibles, and other objects. Call out special discounts or limited time offers.

Museums are embracing innovations in exhibit and attraction signage to create more immersive experiences for visitors and invite greater participation with interactive signage.  Marketing.com’s museum signage experts can work with you to develop strategies for memorable visitor experiences. Contact us today.