Overview:
Mindful Muse is a thoughtfully designed mobile application aimed at enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of the David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) for visitors experiencing anxiety disorders. It addresses the unique challenges faced by children, older adults, and individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or panic disorders when navigating museum spaces. The app seeks to create a calming, supportive, and empowering museum experience through innovative features grounded in research on accessibility and emotional well-being.
Problem Statement:
Art museums can be overwhelming for individuals with anxiety disorders due to sensory overload, unfamiliar environments, and social interactions. These stressors hinder their ability to engage fully and enjoy their visit. Existing museum apps often overlook the specific needs of this audience, creating accessibility gaps that limit inclusivity.
Art museums can be overwhelming for individuals with anxiety disorders due to sensory overload, unfamiliar environments, and social interactions. These stressors hinder their ability to engage fully and enjoy their visit. Existing museum apps often overlook the specific needs of this audience, creating accessibility gaps that limit inclusivity.
Mindful Muse tackles these barriers by offering a digital tool designed to promote calm, reduce anxiety triggers, and provide users with a sense of control and emotional support throughout their museum journey.
Key Features:
1. Personalized Navigation:
Offers customizable, step-by-step guidance through museum exhibits.
Allows users to explore at their own pace, reducing stress from confusion or time constraints.
2. Reduce Sensory Overload:
Provides tools to adjust environmental sensory inputs, such as dark mode and crowd density alerts.
Includes options to plan visits during less crowded times.
3. Quiet Spaces Locator:
Highlights designated quiet zones within the museum where visitors can retreat to decompress.
4. Inclusive Design for Diverse Users:
Adaptable for children, older adults, and individuals with varying cognitive needs.
Meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards for accessibility, ensuring usability for all.
5. Preparation Tools:
Provides detailed pre-visit information, including museum layout, exhibit descriptions, and entry/exit locations, to help visitors feel prepared and confident.
Design Approach:
Mindful Muse incorporates calming visual aesthetics, such as muted colors, intuitive navigation, and simple layouts, to reduce cognitive load. The app prioritizes empathy-driven UX by combining evidence-based accessibility practices with features that foster a stress-free experience.
The app's tone and visuals aim to balance functionality with emotional well-being, aligning with DOMA's mission to make art accessible and meaningful for all.
Impact:
By addressing the needs of individuals with anxiety disorders, Mindful Muse redefines what it means to create inclusive museum spaces. The app empowers users to engage with art in a supportive environment, fostering well-being, and ensuring that the museum is a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of their emotional or cognitive challenges.
