MOAI: AI-Powered Museum Companion
A mockup of the MOIA app’s map navigation screen, showcasing how the app would provide directions for the user to navigate the museum.
Overview
MOAI is a conceptual AI-powered museum companion app designed to enhance the visitor experience at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC. The app integrates voice-guided tours, augmented reality (AR), and interactive navigation to help visitors engage with exhibits without relying on traditional text panels.
Goal: Create an intuitive and immersive museum experience by bridging physical exhibits with digital enhancements.
The Problem
Many museum visitors struggle to fully engage with exhibits due to:
Overwhelming text panels – Large amounts of information make it difficult to stay visually focused.
Navigation challenges – Visitors often struggle to find specific exhibits in large museum spaces.
Lack of interactive learning tools – Museums rely on static signage, limiting engagement.
Comparative analysis of the SFMOMA app from my design documentation.
Also comparing the functionality of Google Lens.
And brainstorming gamification features from World of Warcraft.
A user persona for my research for this project.
Another user persona for this project.
The Design Process
Research & User Insights
User Pain Points Identified:
Visitors want more engaging ways to explore exhibits.
Many prefer audio-based learning over reading text panels.
Museum navigation needs improvement with clearer digital maps.
User Personas & Scenarios:
I created two personas to represent key user groups:
Martin Rodriguez (42, History Teacher) – Needs an efficient way to gather information for classroom use.
Sophia Carter (28, Graphic Designer) – Seeks creative inspiration from Indigenous art exhibits.
Comparative Analysis
I analyzed existing museum and technology solutions:
SFMOMA App — Audio-guided tours based on visitor location
Google Lens — AI-powered image recognition for scanning exhibits
World of Warcraft (UI Design) — Interactive map with guided points of interest
Wireframing & UI Design
Using Figma, I designed:
User Flow Maps for guided and free exploration.
Low-Fidelity Wireframes to outline key screens.
High-Fidelity Prototypes featuring a clean, modern, accessible UI.
Mockups of the various screens of the MOIA prototype.
The Solution: MOAI Features
Voice-Guided Tours – AI-driven narration for exhibits.
Augmented Reality (AR) Scanning – Provides detailed information by scanning artifacts.
Interactive Museum Map – Helps users find exhibits easily.
Agenda Feature – Allows visitors to bookmark exhibits for later review.
Multilingual Support – Offers content in multiple languages for accessibility.
Results & Key Takeaways
Enhanced Museum Experience – Visitors can listen to explanations while visually exploring exhibits.
Streamlined Navigation – The interactive map reduces confusion and saves time.
Higher Engagement – AI-powered features increase visitor interaction.
What I Learned & Future Improvements
Balancing Digital & Physical UX – Museums require seamless integration of tech without overshadowing artifacts.
Prioritizing Accessibility – Language support and voice guidance improve inclusivity.
Efficiency in Design – Working within a short timeline taught me to prioritize core features.