Engaging students
After reaching our first major milestone with with the Deliverable D4.1, that sets out the design requirements and framework conditions that are going to guide our work, we are now focussing on putting our ideas into practice!
With the guidance of the UNI JENA team a group of international students has begun to draft and visualise design prototypes that implement the outlines of D4.1 and D6.1. Regular meetings are held frequently on this purpose and we are excited to share the first results very soon.
Right now the students are getting to know the requirements and topics – especially of the Museo Egizio – and are working on low-threshold ideas to engage visitors in non-disruptive, but creative ways to help them to connect with each other and the exhibition.
What is their focus?
According to D4.1 and D6.1 the ideas for prototypes should bring together digital methods to enhance cultural narratives and their impact. Some collected highlights that are currently focussed on by the students are:
- Immersive Soundscapes: Exploring how sounds, voices, and narratives shape visitor emotions — illustrated by “The Cry of the Egyptian Workers.”
- Digital 2D/AR/VR Visualizations to engage with objects: Testing different forms of immersion and digital representation to deepen engagement with historical content.
- Gamified Experiences: easy game mechanics that turn cultural exploration into a more engaging, emotionally resonant journey.
Sharing theories and insights – from Siena to Mafra to Vienna
This autumn, our team has been actively engaging with the international research community to shape the future of cultural heritage interpretation.
At Digital Heritage Conference 2025 in Siena, Prof. Dr. Sander Münster introduced the MetaMuseum project to highlight its goals, methodology, and progress, while showcasing how digital tools can create more sustainable and engaging museum experiences.
For the upcoming Sound in Museums conference in October in Mafra, Dr. Ying Sun has explored how sound can evoke emotional responses in cultural heritage contexts, enriching interpretation beyond the visual. Finally, at CHNT 2025 in Vienna in November, she is going to present a literature review on past EU projects, tracing how emotional interaction has become a driving force in transforming heritage experiences.
It is going to be a busy season, but with these exchanges we aim not only to highlight our current steps but also to inspire fresh perspectives for the path ahead.