New sensory dimension for the digital exhibition on Jean Starobinski
How can a virtual exhibition express the richness of a literary heritage? How can the aura of an original document be transcribed online? 12 months ago, the EPFL+ECAL Lab and the Swiss National Library presented the experimental exhibition Jean Starobinski. Critical Relationships. On 10 November, this innovation and research project will reveal the results of observations carried out among users, which provide the foundations for the enhancement of literary archives. The event will also unveil the new version of the exhibition, enriched in particular with a sensory dimension.
On the very day of its opening, the project Jean Starobinski. Critical Relationships received the Best of the Web User Experience award. The work involved more than fifteen people, between experts from the Swiss Literary Archives, interaction designers from EPFL+ECAL Lab and engineers from Apptitude, a partner company in charge of the project’s implementation. Research was combined with production. The platform has since been opened to the public and has moreover allowed the scientific team and psychologists at EPFL+ECAL Lab to observe what helps to strengthen online exhibitions. In-depth analyses now allow us to understand several key success factors.
This breakthrough provides essential principles for generating online exhibitions. On the one hand, such platforms offer innovative forms of interaction with content as well as the possibility of reaching a wider audience. On the other hand, they demonstrate the interest and benefits of great heritage.
The new version of the online exhibition, to be discovered as of 10 November, brings different developments based on scientific observations. It also incorporates a sound dimension, generated by the literary content itself. This feat reinforces the immersive dimension of the visit. This new version and the results will be presented in the framework of the workshop Le Nouveau Siècle to which the EPFL+ECAL Lab and the Swiss Literary Archives (Swiss National Library) are pleased to invite you.
Direction
Stéphanie Cudré-Mauroux (Swiss Literary Archives SLA) and Nicolas Henchoz
Art Direction and Project Management
Curation, writing of notices
Stéphanie Cudré-Mauroux (SLA)
MAS in Design Research for Digital Innovation
Production
Axel Pasqualini, Pierre Brossard, Michael Vuilleumier, Jeremy Barthoux and Diogo Ferreira Venancio (Apptitude SA)
Document photography
Fabian Scherler and Simon Schmid (Swiss National Library NL)
Sound Design
Interns
Aselle Persoz and Laetitia Dumoulin (NL)
UX Psychology
Dr Andreas Sonderegger, Andrea Schneider with assistance of Nolwenn Gonzalez and Dario Savina
Catalogage du fonds et de la bibliothèque
Denis Bussard, Fabien Dubosson, Laetitia Dumoulin, Edwige Durand, Vincent Yersin and Simon Willemin (NL)
Photography Credits (Reproductions)
EPFL+ECAL Lab / Fabien Scherler, Simon Schmid, © Bibliothèque nationale suisse, 2020.
Handwritten documents, © Famille Starobinski.
Photography Credits (Still Lifes)
EPFL+ECAL Lab / Calypso Mahieu, © Bibliothèque nationale suisse, 2021.
SPONSORS
The research project funded by the Swiss National Library had support from:
Hans Wilsdorf Foundation
Sandoz Family Foundation