In this practice area, the Describer strikes a balance between the expectations of the client, information provided from subject matter experts (e.g., staff curators or docents), and the needs of the intended audience.
In a conventional museum setting, Museum Audio Description melds descriptions of the visual elements of art works with an abbreviated version of the exhibit’s posted text.
Key visual elements include:
Key text elements include:
- the layout or arrangement of the facility
- an exhibit’s visual components and content including:
- dioramas, artifacts, and reproductions
- graphics, diagrams, and drawings
- illustrations and paintings
- sculptures, photographs, videos, and maps
- titles
- explanatory text
- quotations
- legends, and
- captions available to all visitors
In Museum Audio Description, a Describer must also be familiar with best practices to describe interactive elements as well as instructions for their effective and safe use. These include:
- Digital interactives and interactive stations, such as:
- touchscreen and/or tablet displays, and
- video kiosks
- Guides for exploring tactile displays, such as:
- 3-D models and maps, and
- other physical interactives
- Instructions for using tour players or other apps required for accessing the Audio Description
Museum Audio Description allows time for organized and coherent sentences rather than quick interjections in an on-going dialog. However, a Describer must still be mindful of the overall length and/or time limit of the description and convey the essential information in a timely manner.
Contact us to explore Museum Audio Description for your next project.
How It’s Organized
Museum Audio Description can be a collection of narratives for specific works of art, or present a “string of pearls” tour that guides a listener along a specific path that incorporates exhibit and art work descriptions alongside specific navigational and hazard information.
How It’s Provided
There are many ways Museum Audio Description can be provided. For instance, it can be:
- incorporated into an in-person gallery tour or lecture
- part of an individually distributed audio guide
- included as part of a museum-branded mobile application
- posted online and accessed directly by the listener using their own or a loaner mobile device, on or off site
Online delivery is especially useful for individuals who may want to listen to the description whether they’re physically at the location or not, broadening its reach.
A mobile application may be useful for organizations that have a large number of exhibits, facilities, or locations, such as the NPS app of the National Park Service.
The best way to provide Museum Audio Description is the way that best meets the needs and desires of the individual client and the experience they wish to provide for their patrons.
Contact us to explore Museum Audio Description for your next project.