In June 2025, the META-MUSEUM project witnessed an important milestone in the WP4 (Prototyping and Experience Design) phase – the official release of the “Scoping Document of Design Briefs”, which serves as a core component of the D4.1 deliverables. This document also constructed a set of modular and testable prototype technology framework system, laying the foundation for the project to move from theoretical construction to prototype development and testing.
The main task of WP4 is to establish a model and technical prototype framework based on the above theoretical framework and empirical data that can actually be tested. This can be regarded as a ‘toolbox’ for considering narration, media and technology. Task 4.1 developed the foundational design briefs and framework conditions that will inform prototype development, with a focus on emotional engagement, co-creation, and accessibility. All further WP4 tasks are based on said design briefs and frameworks, therefore the following topics are examined: (a) conceptual and theoretical frameworks and methodological considerations, (b) the development of design briefs for the prototype frameworks and (c) three implementations of the prototype frameworks for testable experiences.
This deliverable (D4.1) outlines the design requirements and framework conditions for the development of testable prototypes within the META-MUSEUM project. As part of Work Package 4 (WP4), and specifically Task 4.1, it aims to define the conceptual, methodological, and practical foundations for implementing emotionally engaging and participatory cultural heritage experiences. The work is grounded in the TransforMeans Theory (TMt), which proposes that cultural heritage (CH) can foster empathy, resilience, and confidence through transformative encounters.
The deliverable has been compiled via a combined desk-based research, preliminary results from the other WPs, workshops and prototyping activities. To design interactive and measurable prototypes that support these goals, this deliverable integrates key sources of insight:
- Conceptual insights from TMt theory: engagement emerges through interaction among space, narrative, object, and the visitor’s lived context. (WP2)
- Deliverables of previous projects, research paper and policy documents have been reviewed.In this step we reviewed previous and preliminary deliverables from the META-MUSEUM WPs 2, 3 and 6.
- Empirical knowledge from previous EU-funded such as GIFT, EMOTIVE, eMotion, ViMM, and V-MUST. The empirical data and insights from these initiatives offer invaluable lessons regarding effective emotional engagement strategies, interactive technologies, and narrative design methods. In parallel, various research on affective museum was reviewed.
- Survey amongst Associated Partners Museums (WP6）
- Feedback from several workshops and meetings where stakeholders evaluated test cases and identified emotionally and socially resonant pathways
Six core prototype frameworks were defined, targeting various emotional triggers and user types (e.g., museums, labs, hospitals). Scenarios include immersive soundscapes, VR storytelling, physical-digital hybrid experiences, and AI-driven narrative personalization. each addressing distinct interaction styles, emotional triggers.
- Prototype framework 1: Audio soundscapes and vocal storytelling
- Prototype framework 2: Digital 2D/AR/VR Visualisations
- Prototype framework 3: Co-creation experiences (physical and/or digital)
- Prototype framework 4: Gamified experiences
- Prototype framework 5: Personal inventories (AttaCHbox)
- Experience 6: Hybrid event
Based on these prototype frameworks, three testable experiences have been developed to be used in the lab tests in the META-MUSEUM WP5.