Lead UX Researcher / September - December 2024 / Figma - Adobe Illustrator
T h e C h a l l e n g e
How can we enhance the visitor experience and boost daily attendance within budget constraints?
My team worked with the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum to address two key challenges: aging exhibits and declining daily admissions. Through stakeholder interviews and user research, we identified that while memberships had increased, general attendance was dropping. Additionally, some popular exhibits were reaching the end of their lifespan, but budget constraints limited large-scale renovations.
R e s e a r c h
Stakeholder Interviews
Stakeholder Interviews allowed a better understanding of why they needed my services, their goals, and current challenges.
Museum Overview & Goals:
◦ Mission ◦ Promoting education through play, open-ended exploration, and problem solving.
◦ Hours of operation ◦ members-only admission on Tuesdays and open to the public Wednesday–Sunday.
◦ Primary audience ◦ Children ages 2–8 and their caregivers (70% families, 30% school field trips).
Current Challenges:
◦ Aging Exhibits ◦ Some installations are becoming outdated and may need updates or replacements.
◦ Declining Daily Admissions ◦ Despite membership growth, overall daily attendance has decreased.
◦ Marketing Efforts ◦ Past campaigns were successful, but more recent efforts haven't met success
R e s e a r c h
User Interviews
Through interviews with parents, several key themes emerged regarding their experiences at the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum.
Interactive Experiences ◦ Parents want engaging, novel exhibits that encourage active participation
Appealing to Older Children ◦ Many exhibits cater to younger kids, leaving preteens with fewer options
Encouraging Social and Emotional Growth ◦ Parents value exhibits that promote children's growth
Improving Communication and Accessibility ◦ Many families struggle to find event information due to website navigation issues, and lack of social media availability
Revitalizing Underutilized Spaces Sustainably ◦ Some areas feel empty or outdated
number
I d e a t e
Client Goals
These user and business goals align to improve both the visitor experience and the museum's long-term sustainability through enhanced engagement and accessibility.
User Goals
◦ Engage & Educate Children through Interactive Learning
◦ Provide Caregiver Support and Relaxation Spaces
◦ Keep Members Informed About Ongoing Programming
◦ Attract Non-Members with Exciting, Novel Exhibits
Business goals
◦ Boost Daily Admissions through Targeted Marketing
◦ Increase Membership Conversion by Enhancing Engagement
◦ Raise Awareness of Programming to Encourage Repeat Visits
◦ Enhance Community Engagement through Local Partnerships
T h e S o l u t i o n
An immersive experience using the museums existing spaces.
Multiple activities united under a central theme, allowing for parallel play spanning target age groups.
Exhibit Features:
◦ Renovation of the underused first-floor toddler space
◦ Feature a main theme with multiple hands-on activities
◦ Engage with a wider age range to promote widespread use
◦ Use social media marketing to spread the word and boost engagement
D e s i g n
Exhibit Mockup
D e s i g n
Infographics
Infographics serve as a powerful tool for integrating educational content into the exhibit. Designed with engaging visuals that fit with the ocean theme, they can attract attention while effectively communicating ocean-related fun facts in a way that is both accessible and memorable for visitors.
D e s i g n
Wave Warriors
Wave Warriors is a fun, interactive game that teaches kids about ocean conservation. Players swipe trash off the screen before it falls into the ocean, promoting environmental awareness through quick, engaging gameplay similar to Fruit Ninja.
A quick mockup of how Wave Warriors gameplay could look
D e s i g n
Social Media Posts
Social media plays a crucial role in expanding outreach by connecting with families and local communities, and would be on of the driving forces of attendance to the Underwater Adventure Exhibit. Posts generate excitement, foster engagement, and encourage visits, boosting attendance and strengthening the museum’s presence in Peoria.
R e f l e c t i o n
What would I do differently?
Early Testing and Iteration – Incorporating small-scale user testing with families earlier in the design process could have helped refine the exhibit concept before finalizing key elements. While this project was for a class, meaning schedule control was limited on my end, I would have introduced the idea to stakeholders earlier in the process. This would have allowed more time for iteration and refinement.
More Diverse Research Methods – Relying primarily on interviews provided some valuable qualitative insights, but incorporating a wider range the user base or a focus group could have strengthened findings. A focus group, in particular, would have allowed for more in-depth discussions with participants, ensuring to a more well-rounded perspective.
Stronger Digital Integration – This was a very unconventional project for me, with how focused it was on physical deliverables in turn of digital, which I was more accustomed to. While I wanted to fully embrace the physical opportunities provided in exhibit design, I feel I could have incorporated more digital-based deliverables or widely applicable plans for the museum to pique visitor interest.
