Outcome
The project explores how layered interpretation, sensory engagement, and choice can transform the museum journey. A central feature is a curated map system, designed through a simple 5-question method based on visitors’ preferences such as sensory needs, level of structure and personal interests. The map highlights five tailored stops, encouraging exploration along the way without overwhelming the visitor.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Curated for Shreya
Visit these spots while exploring the museum for the ultimate experience
Ground Floor
Each path includes redesigned experiences that replace passive learning with inclusive engagement:
• Layered labels: multiple levels of interpretation for different reading abilities.
• Hands-on learning: texture, drawing, and discussion zones.
• Inclusive maps: visually engaging and accessible to visitors.
• Alternative storytelling: touch, listening, and film as equal modes to reading.
This proposal reframes the museum as a space where curiosity thrives and anxiety is reduced. By centering people with learning disabilities, it improves the overall visitor journey for everyone. Guided by the principle that there is no wrong way to visit a museum, the project reaffirms that culture truly belongs to all.
Reimagining Kelvingrove
Duration:
3 months
Role:
Service Designer
Skills used
Desk Research
|
Stakeholder Mapping
|
Journey Mapping
|
User Research
|
User Interviews
|
Field Research
|
Ethnographic Observations
|
Peer Testing
|
Map Design
|
Archetype Mapping
The Challenge
Museums often assume visitors arrive with prior knowledge or educational background. This creates barriers, particularly for people with learning disabilities. Kelvingrove Museum, a landmark deeply connected to the people of Glasgow, became the focus of this project to challenge those biases and reimagine what inclusive cultural spaces can look like.
How can Kelvingrove Museum become more welcoming, accessible, and meaningful for visitors with learning disabilities, while also improving the experience for everyone?
Research
I used a multi-method approach combining desk research, field observations, stakeholder interviews, and direct engagement with adults with learning disabilities.
My engagement activity with people with learning disabilities was central to understanding real user journeys and pain points. I carried out fieldwork at Kelvingrove and spoke with museum professionals to understand existing challenges.
Insights revealed gaps in current accessibility efforts, with most museum offerings designed for children and not adults, plus strong visitor preference for audio, visual, and tactile formats.
Key barriers included:
• Confusing wayfinding and signage.
• Reliance on dense text-based interpretation.
• Limited sensory and hands-on engagement.
• Anxiety for first-time or novice visitors.
Challenges
Insight questions
Brainstorming
My 3 keys to a good museum service
Everyone Belongs
Design for people with learning disabilities, but don’t single them out. Make it welcoming for everyone.
Make learning fun!
Learn by doing with hands-on, visual, and playful ways to explore.
No Wrong Way to Visit
Let visitors lead their visit; the museum’s role is to facilitate choice, not enforce a single route.
I translated my research insights into tangible design decisions:
Wayfinding → Path system for different needs
Cognitive overload → Well grouped text, clear visuals, key points
Lack of interaction → Tactile stations, drawing zones, discussion spaces
Assumed knowledge → Create simple, friendly prompts to encourage exploration without prior expertise.
Sensory overload
Museum Communication
Biases and expectations
Lack of visual aids
Academic language
Diverse Visitors
View my complete in-depth process as well as personal reflections here! Do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
View Project Document
Through research into movement, signage, and storytelling, this project explores how Kelvingrove can be transformed into a museum that works for every kind of mind.
Outcome
The project explores how layered interpretation, sensory engagement, and choice can transform the museum journey. A central feature is a curated map system, designed through a simple 5-question method based on visitors’ preferences such as sensory needs, level of structure and personal interests. The map highlights five tailored stops, encouraging exploration along the way without overwhelming the visitor.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Curated for Shreya
Visit these spots while exploring the museum for the ultimate experience
Ground Floor
Each path includes redesigned experiences that replace passive learning with inclusive engagement:
• Layered labels: multiple levels of interpretation for different reading abilities.
• Hands-on learning: texture, drawing, and discussion zones.
• Inclusive maps: visually engaging and accessible to visitors.
• Alternative storytelling: touch, listening, and film as equal modes to reading.
This proposal reframes the museum as a space where curiosity thrives and anxiety is reduced. By centering people with learning disabilities, it improves the overall visitor journey for everyone. Guided by the principle that there is no wrong way to visit a museum, the project reaffirms that culture truly belongs to all.
Reimagining Kelvingrove
Duration:
3 months
Role:
Service Designer
Skills used
Desk Research
|
Stakeholder Mapping
|
Journey Mapping
|
User Research
|
User Interviews
|
Field Research
|
Ethnographic Observations
|
Peer Testing
|
Map Design
|
Archetype Mapping
The Challenge
Museums often assume visitors arrive with prior knowledge or educational background. This creates barriers, particularly for people with learning disabilities. Kelvingrove Museum, a landmark deeply connected to the people of Glasgow, became the focus of this project to challenge those biases and reimagine what inclusive cultural spaces can look like.
How can Kelvingrove Museum become more welcoming, accessible, and meaningful for visitors with learning disabilities, while also improving the experience for everyone?
Research
I used a multi-method approach combining desk research, field observations, stakeholder interviews, and direct engagement with adults with learning disabilities.
My engagement activity with people with learning disabilities was central to understanding real user journeys and pain points. I carried out fieldwork at Kelvingrove and spoke with museum professionals to understand existing challenges.
Insights revealed gaps in current accessibility efforts, with most museum offerings designed for children and not adults, plus strong visitor preference for audio, visual, and tactile formats.
Key barriers included:
• Confusing wayfinding and signage.
• Reliance on dense text-based interpretation.
• Limited sensory and hands-on engagement.
• Anxiety for first-time or novice visitors.
Challenges
Insight questions
Brainstorming
My 3 keys to a good museum service
Everyone Belongs
Design for people with learning disabilities, but don’t single them out. Make it welcoming for everyone.
Make learning fun!
Learn by doing with hands-on, visual, and playful ways to explore.
No Wrong Way to Visit
Let visitors lead their visit; the museum’s role is to facilitate choice, not enforce a single route.
I translated my research insights into tangible design decisions:
Wayfinding → Path system for different needs
Cognitive overload → Well grouped text, clear visuals, key points
Lack of interaction → Tactile stations, drawing zones, discussion spaces
Assumed knowledge → Create simple, friendly prompts to encourage exploration without prior expertise.
Sensory overload
Museum Communication
Biases and expectations
Lack of visual aids
Academic language
Diverse Visitors
View my complete in-depth process as well as personal reflections here! Do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
View Project Document
Through research into movement, signage, and storytelling, this project explores how Kelvingrove can be transformed into a museum that works for every kind of mind.
The Challenge
Museums often assume visitors arrive with prior knowledge or educational background. This creates barriers, particularly for people with learning disabilities. Kelvingrove Museum, a landmark deeply connected to the people of Glasgow, became the focus of this project to challenge those biases and reimagine what inclusive cultural spaces can look like.
How can Kelvingrove Museum become more welcoming, accessible, and meaningful for visitors with learning disabilities, while also improving the experience for everyone?
Reimagining Kelvingrove
Duration:
3 months
Role:
Service Designer
Skills used
Desk Research
|
Stakeholder Mapping
|
Journey Mapping
|
User Research
|
User Interviews
|
Field Research
|
Ethnographic Observations
|
Peer Testing
|
Map Design
|
Archetype Mapping
Research
I used a multi-method approach combining desk research, field observations, stakeholder interviews, and direct engagement with adults with learning disabilities.
My engagement activity with people with learning disabilities was central to understanding real user journeys and pain points. I carried out fieldwork at Kelvingrove and spoke with museum professionals to understand existing challenges.
Insights revealed gaps in current accessibility efforts, with most museum offerings designed for children and not adults, plus strong visitor preference for audio, visual, and tactile formats.
Key barriers included:
• Confusing wayfinding and signage.
• Reliance on dense text-based interpretation.
• Limited sensory and hands-on engagement.
• Anxiety for first-time or novice visitors.
Challenges
Insight questions
Brainstorming
I translated my research insights into tangible design decisions:
Wayfinding → Path system for different needs
Cognitive overload → Well grouped text, clear visuals, key points
Lack of interaction → Tactile stations, drawing zones, discussion spaces
Assumed knowledge → Create simple, friendly prompts to encourage exploration without prior expertise.
Sensory overload
Museum Communication
Biases and expectations
Lack of visual aids
Academic language
Diverse Visitors
Through research into movement, signage, and storytelling, this project explores how Kelvingrove can be transformed into a museum that works for every kind of mind.
My 3 keys to a good museum service
Everyone Belongs
Design for people with learning disabilities, but don’t single them out. Make it welcoming for everyone.
Make learning fun!
Learn by doing with hands-on, visual, and playful ways to explore.
No Wrong Way to Visit
Let visitors lead their visit; the museum’s role is to facilitate choice, not enforce a single route.
View my complete in-depth process as well as personal reflections here! Do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
View Project Document
Outcome
The project explores how layered interpretation, sensory engagement, and choice can transform the museum journey. A central feature is a curated map system, designed through a simple 5-question method based on visitors’ preferences such as sensory needs, level of structure and personal interests. The map highlights five tailored stops, encouraging exploration along the way without overwhelming the visitor.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Curated for Shreya
Visit these spots while exploring the museum for the ultimate experience
Ground Floor
Each path includes redesigned experiences that replace passive learning with inclusive engagement:
• Layered labels: multiple levels of interpretation for different reading abilities.
• Hands-on learning: texture, drawing, and discussion zones.
• Inclusive maps: visually engaging and accessible to visitors.
• Alternative storytelling: touch, listening, and film as equal modes to reading.
This proposal reframes the museum as a space where curiosity thrives and anxiety is reduced. By centering people with learning disabilities, it improves the overall visitor journey for everyone. Guided by the principle that there is no wrong way to visit a museum, the project reaffirms that culture truly belongs to all.