The Contempo Museum App is an iPad application designed to educate museum visitors about the principles of design. The principles of design are universal guidelines that help the mind make sense of what it is seeing, therefore are important for understanding and appreciating art. By highlighting three principles for each of the ten featured artworks from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection, the app provides visitors with an immersive and engaging educational experience.

Project
Contempo Museum App

Role
Visual Design
User Experience
Coding

Skills
User Experience
Visual Design
HTML/CSS/JQuery
Project Management

Project Duration
15 Months

THE PROBLEM

Have you ever been in a museum or encountered a work of art that left you wondering, "Why is THAT considered art?!" Yet, once you listen to an audio tour, you begin to perceive the artwork in a whole new light.

This highlights the transformative power of information when exploring art. Sadly, not everyone has the luxury of a guide explaining each artwork, and only a mere 10% of museum visitors opt for audio tours. So what happens when most people encounter art that perplexes them? What actions do they take?

They don’t look at . . .

“It has been documented over and over again that when people are faced with artwork they do not understand, they just walk by it.”

— Austin Clarkson and Douglas Worts, The Animated Muse: An Interpretive Program for Creative Viewing

The lack of understanding often leads them to move on without delving into the deeper meaning or significance of the piece.

THE SOLUTION

The Contempo Museum App introduces users to fundamental design principles through 10 artworks from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection. With a focus on balance, emphasis, movement, pattern, proportion, rhythm, and unity, the app aims to provide viewers with a deeper understanding of these universal guidelines that shape our perception of art. By showcasing how artists incorporate these principles in their creative process, the app becomes a valuable resource for all art enthusiasts.

Interestingly, a survey of 215 participants revealed that only 20% had received formal education on design principles, indicating a significant gap in knowledge.

Seeking to bridge this divide, the Contempo Museum App educates users about these crucial design principles, empowering them to develop a more profound appreciation for the art they encounter.

“The Contempo Museum App is not dumbing down the process of looking at art. Instead it is teaching viewers to really engage with the artwork and that is exciting.”

—Kara Q. Smith, Editor at Art Practical; Assistant Curator at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art