Bridge Interpretive Content and
Visitor Engagement
Visitor Experience Research at SFMOMA / Internship Project
| User Research
| Inclusive Design
Project Context
2024.06-08
Summer Internship at SFMOMA
Manager: Nicole Meshack
Statistical analysis
Visitor Interview
Contextual Inquiry
Experts Panel
Literature Review
Field Trip
Developed actionable recommendations
Shared with leadership
Impacted the strategic planning of resources
and investment for the future framework
Background
During the summer of 2024, I interned at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) as the Visitor Experience (VX) Research Intern. I had so much fun learning about museum operations inside out and addressing visitor needs with our amazing team. I feel honored and lucky to directly work with Nicole Meshack, the Director of Visitor Experience, and collaborate with people across departments. They gave me full support and made my project and internship shine throughout the summer. Special thanks to Ashley, Bri, Ric, Sheila, America, Oceane, Sylvia, Karen, Gamynne, Caroline, Kevin, Karol, Sarah, Amy, and Sherry.
My role
My main project was to identify a gap in current visitor experience and develop recommendations for the museum team. I recognized and validated the need to improve the readability of wall labels through quantitative analysis and initial visitor interviews. Then I was able to develop actionable insights for curatorial, editorial, design, education, and digital departments through in-depth stakeholder and expert interviews, literature review, and field trips.
The goal was to foster deeper connections between visitors and the artwork. This project is part of the museum's Inclusive Design Work Group initiative and directly supports SFMOMA’s strategic goal to increase visitation and earned revenue.
The details of this project are in coordination with the team to be disclosed! Check back later or shoot me an email at katherine_liu@berkeley.edu if you wanna know more. :D
TAKEAWAYS
By empathizing with the needs and frustrations of different visitor groups, I was able to identify core issues that generic solutions might have overlooked. Talking with various stakeholders also offered me a holistic perspective to come up with sustainable solutions. I realized design thinking is helpful not only in addressing immediate challenges, but also in uncovering underlying issues that may not be immediately apparent.
Communication and Adaptability in Cross-Functional Teams 💖
I was honored to collaborate with a cross-functional team of curators, educators, designers, and VX staff. Each team member brought unique expertise and perspectives, which enriched the project but also introduced varying priorities and constraints. When navigating these dynamics, I can see myself becoming a more effective communicator and more flexible collaborator.
My Enhanced Research Acumen✨
This project also significantly enhanced my research skills, particularly in conducting user-centered research and translating findings into actionable designs. Engaging with visitors through interviews and observations provided rich qualitative data that was instrumental in shaping the solutions.
KIND WORDS& GOOD MEMORIES 🤍
