Fourteenth International Conference on the Inclusive Museum

Abstract

For the first time in nine years, an annual four-week museum design project, part of a module within a required undergraduate interior design course, was moved online to an asynchronous, web-based course due to the global pandemic. To initiate the project this year, the American University’s students were provided with a virtual tour of the University’s own collection of Ethiopian artifacts instead of visiting in person. The 34 enrolled students were provided with links to Ethiopian artifact databases and encouraged to search for additional artifacts online. Concurrently most of these students also enrolled in a required material culture course, with a textbook that stressed the “meaning of objects”. Historically, this American University has enjoyed relationships with several Ethiopian Universities and educational opportunities which could support further linkages between the countries have been encouraged. The instructor had cultivated relationships with museum-specific vendors for display and conservation furniture, furnishings and other products. Gaylord Archival and MBA Mila Wall provided literature for students again this year. The guest speaker presented museum-specific products via Zoom. The instructor provided a museum lighting case study PowerPoint slideshow via Zoom. Students selected a variety of artifacts for their museums including apparel, baskets, jewelry, maps, pottery and sculpture. The specified lighting fixtures and other technical products. They utilized hand drafting techniques, Photoshop, and/or SketchUp software to develop 3D interior perspectives. Students submitted preliminary design progress to the discussion board for the University’s educational platform, Canvas, and received instructor feedback. Students’ final designs were submitted electronically to Canvas.