Weaving It Together : User

Testing for Cultural Interactives

Project Goals:

  • Work as strategic liaison between Curatorial Department and Exhibitions Department to develop best methods of engagement with key audiences.

  • Develop a research protocol and conducted iterative human-subject research with 12 participants using structured interviews and observational methods

  • Test two prototype weaving interactives to ensure instructions were clear and intuitive.

  • Evaluate whether the hands-on activities were immersive for a wide range of visitors.

  • Assess how effectively the interactives communicated core messages about Cherokee and Łingít weaving traditions and their ecological and cultural significance.

  • Observe natural visitor behavior to understand how people navigate text, visuals, and tactile components.

Skills:Research design, mixed-methods user research, consumer and visitor insights, prototype testing, data synthesis, data storytelling, usability evaluation, and translating findings into strategic recommendations to improve experience and exhibit design.

Timeline: June 2025 - August 2025

Initial prototype designs

Recruitment & testing

Key Findings:

  • Visitors demonstrated strong understanding of key themes: time, skill, ecological connection, and active continuity of Indigenous weaving traditions.

  • Average engagement time was 5.5 minutes, with more sustained participation in the Łingít interactive.

  • Participants often skipped instructions unless stuck, faced confusion around unclear mechanics, or felt limited by partially completed setups.

Future Considerations:

  • Many users skipped written instructions, relying instead on visuals—highlighting the need for stronger affordances and intuitive entry points.

  • Participants often missed key mechanics (e.g., spinning spokes), revealing gaps in clarity and discoverability.

  • Overly pre-completed setups limited meaningful interaction, while open-ended setups created uncertainty about where to begin.

  • Engagement patterns showed visitors stayed longer when they could make visible progress, emphasizing the importance of achievable, guided steps.

Updates and results!