The Importance of well-placed labels
The importance of where a label is placed cannot be stressed enough because labeling is found everywhere in the world around us, whether we are driving, at the supermarket, shopping at the mall, or surfing the web, there are always signs communicating information which promotes functionality. The functionality of any industrial society relies on labels to instruct people how to do things, where to go, and even the consequences if you disobey those instructions. For example, a trespassing sign instructs a person to not enter, implies you leave, and gives the consequences if you do not follow instruction. While each “environment” so to speak, has its own way and system of labeling, I want to focus on museum type centers where exhibits are present and people will be unaware of the exhibit’s function.
The placing of a label is an issue which needs to be thought over with a plan, intentionally incorporated in a specific spot for a specific purpose to communicate information to an audience. In a study published by Lisanne Velez, the majority of people observed approaching an exhibit would locate the label, read its contents, and then follow its directions to discover the purpose of the mechanism. She says in her write up that “studies have began to note how exhibits and labels shape visitor’s expectations and activities,” which is prevalent in the actions a person performs when a label is present (Velez 168). When a visitor reads the information a label contains, do they persist in trying to operate the contraption with their own ideas? No, the visitor will attempt to interact with the exhibit according to the details displayed according to the label. This being the case, the label of the exhibit should be in an easy to see, readily available location. I have posted well written labels placed in an appropriate location for its viewers. Lets take a look...
The placing of a label is an issue which needs to be thought over with a plan, intentionally incorporated in a specific spot for a specific purpose to communicate information to an audience. In a study published by Lisanne Velez, the majority of people observed approaching an exhibit would locate the label, read its contents, and then follow its directions to discover the purpose of the mechanism. She says in her write up that “studies have began to note how exhibits and labels shape visitor’s expectations and activities,” which is prevalent in the actions a person performs when a label is present (Velez 168). When a visitor reads the information a label contains, do they persist in trying to operate the contraption with their own ideas? No, the visitor will attempt to interact with the exhibit according to the details displayed according to the label. This being the case, the label of the exhibit should be in an easy to see, readily available location. I have posted well written labels placed in an appropriate location for its viewers. Lets take a look...
Exhibit
In this exhibit, the label is shown directly below the center of action. This is a great location due to the structure of the exhibit, if the label was attached to the side or posted above the circuit, the person would pay more attention to the label rather than the experiment. The position of this label allows for the user to stand face to face with the experiment while handling the full capabilities of the object.
Label up close
The content of this label shows in a two panel view, similar to this page you are reading, how to operate the "Electric Flame" on the left with a simple 3 step manual. On the right is a more descriptive narration of the science going on when the exhibit is operated as instructed. This gives the reader an option to complicate his/her view of the experiment in order to understand on a more personal level the in depth scientific knowledge the creators are familiar with.
Due to the function of this exhibit, the label must be placed in front of the machine. In the "Earthquake Shake" the green button starts a conveyor belt type of mechanism which rocks each structure back and forth displaying the relationship between the support of a building vs. heavy ground movement. The label is specifically placed next to the control panel so the user has easy accessibility to read then operate.
Similar to that stated above, the content of this label shows the left side as a 5 step instructional with the scientific explanation of the phenomenon demonstrated by the exhibit. Also notice the coloring of highlighted words on the left hand side, these give the reader key points and concepts to remember while interacting with this device.
