UI/UX Prototyping Research Wire-framing Design System
Tools
Figma AfterEffects Webflow
Context
This online gallery is a collection of historically significant objects that were once looted but have been successfully returned by the MET to their original owners or countries of origin. The exhibition not only displays the objects themselves but also tells the stories behind their looting and return, highlighting the importance of ethical and responsible stewardship of cultural heritage.
Entry Point
This is a mockup of how a visitor of the Met website could get access to this online gallery. Alternatively, QR codes can be set up at the museum walls and brochures for visitors to quickly scan and access the gallery on their phones (when this hypothetically has a mobile version.)
Users/ Audience
Casual museum goers who have little to no background info
Art history students, people learning about art reparation and cultures who regularly visit the Met
Art conservation coalitions
Research Insights
Most casual museum goers are less informed about looted artifacts in American museums than in Europe.
People are aware it happens but not anything specific.
There is no place currently for people to know where returned objects are and learn about its rich history on The Met website.
User A
"Somewhat familiar, I hear more about it in Europe, but not much about it in American museums."
User B
"I know that stolen artifacts are an issue, but unless I go out of my way to learn about it, I don't have ways to get more information."
Comparable Projects
Trafficking Culture
Case studies of art pieces that were looted and shows the history behind them / whether it was returned
Permian Basin History
Scroll based information and individual artifacts page
Art Against War in Ukraine
Digital museum against war in Ukraine
Goals
Create a visually engaging space where visitors and view and learn about returned artifacts that cannot be seen at The Met anymore.
Build awareness and provide education about illicit antiquities and art theft.
Encourage museums to engage in ethical practices in art repatriation
Initial Visual Directions
Typography
These are initial title explorations, I didn't end up using this title because I wanted to stray from the existing Met branding and typeface. I ended up with pairing PP Telegraf and PP Gatwick, that had both archaic and modern qualities.
Layout
I experimented with horizontal and vertical scrolls, different gallery views (chronological, geographical, alphabetical), but organizing the objects by location made the most sense for the users.
Color
I wanted a simple black and off-white color scheme to bring more attention to the objects, with accents of red on hover states to hint at The Met branding. The stark contrast also helps with readability.
Prototype
Changes from Figma to Webflow
I changed the landing and home page to feel more sophisticated and clean, getting rid of the red scribbles, and focusing on the simplicity of the lines to guide the user to the gallery.
I integrated more scroll triggered animations and After Effects animations to give a preview of the objects and add more engagement from the first introduction.
User Feedback & Takeaways
After several rounds of iterations and user tests
Feedback
Users wanted a seamless and continuous flow into other objects of the gallery as well as simplified navigation for easier access.
Feedback
Users noted that the history/narrative section could stand out more both visually and thematically.
Feedback
The visual language and word choice made the tone feel too intense and aggressive, which comes across as an attack on The Met institution.
Takeaway
At first I tried out different scroll navigations and added more features such as a submission box, and a separate donations page. I learned that keeping everything vertical scroll created a clearer user flow and simplifying the gallery helped highlight the main purpose of the exhibition. I added more entry points to other artifacts at the bottom of each object.
Takeaway
Paying attention to how much information is presented at a time, I added more space between each section, incorporated scroll triggers and subtle changes in the background color to indicate the transition of the object from its creation to the return.
Takeaway
I didn't intend for the gallery to focus on what The Met had done wrong, but rather play in partnership with the museum to highlight the continuous efforts to mend the harms of the past. I realized intent=execution, so I had to make various tweaks in both written and visual language.
Have questions?
Contact me at laylavlee@gmail.com and I will be happy to answer!
