1.1 Ergonomic display in museum
Ergonomics is a scientific discipline that is concerned with understanding the interactions between
humans and other elements of a system, providing theoretical principles, data, and methods for
designing how to optimize human well-being and overall system performance (Erminia Attaianese
2012). The goal of the ergonomic design of the museum environment is to create prevailing ambient
conditions that are comfortable and acceptable accommodations of activity performance or visitor
health (Stanton 2005). The aspects of the physical environment in the museum that can affect the
effectiveness of information presented are noise, lighting, ergonomics of the eye line (anthropometry), the connectedness of the content and objects on display, visual elements, and their location
to the visitor’s circulation flow (Screven 1992; Wulandari et al. 2017). Effective layout and display
designs are designed to engage visitors for self-education on a subject and to inspire the visitors to
learn more (Wolfgang Leister 2016). If there is any display design’s fault and improper arrangement
both visually or physically, that means the collection will potentially be overlooked by visitors.
Labels on collection displays also play an important role in providing information to visitors.
Information labels are important to provide a deep understanding of a display object in a museum
(Wulandari et al. 2017). Labels refer to all types of media—print, audio, graphics, and presentation
formats—used to help visitors interpret and connecting with exhibition content, have an emotional
impact, or to motivate visitors to get to know more (Screven 1992). The presentation aspect of label
format includes all type of media used such as interactive, sound, image, and video.
In order to be easily read by visitors, object information labels need to be designed in accordance
with human ergonomic standards by paying attention to attractive visualizations and placing them
according to the normal human eye line (Wulandari et al. 2017). Several techniques have been used
in previous research to display effective information designs in the form of graphics, sculptures,
boards, or other information products in museums by following UX design principles (Al-Hajji
2017). Principles of UX Design are easy to use, to find the function, and to understand; users do
not have to get help to do the task; visual focus, direction are clear; and users can perform their
task efficiently and correctly, works for the user (Rosenzweig 2015).
Another supporting factor for the ergonomics of the interior environment is lighting. Lighting
has an important role in the exhibition space, both for the conservation of collections and visitors
(Hunt 2009). With an appropriate light, exhibition organizers are present with an influential tool that
enables the definition of the atmosphere for viewing art, establishes a sense of drama to support its
reception, and generally contributes to the success of the exhibition (Schielke 2019). The lighting
intensity is very important for visitors to be able to easily observe the collection and read the label
information clearly (Wulandari et al. 2017).
1.2 Objectives
In this study, we will discuss the effectiveness of a QR code as a label for statues collection at the
Mpu Purwa Museum in terms of the ergonomics placement. A QR code label contains descriptions
and explanations of the statue collection in Bahasa and English in the Mpu Purwa Museum. The Mpu
Purwa Museum is a public museum located on Kota Malang, East Java. Most of the Mpu Purwa
Museum collections are statues and inscriptions from the Mpu Sindok period to the Majapahit
Kingdom (year 929–947 AC).
Ergonomic problems in placing QR codes as information labels for collections in museums that
will be discussed in this paper are lighting and anthropometry related to the placement of QR codes.
Based on visitor interviews and field observations, the problem found in implementing QR codes
as collection information is that not all of them can be seen by visitors and require more effort to
aim the smartphone camera at the QR code. Other problems are the material selection, QR code
image placement, and lights position that cause a very bright reflection on a QR code.
2 METHODOLOGY
The research method used in this research is the qualitative method by conducting literature studies, field studies, and interviews. Studies conducted to search for reference data and analyzing the
361
Ergonomics is a scientific discipline that is concerned with understanding the interactions between
humans and other elements of a system, providing theoretical principles, data, and methods for
designing how to optimize human well-being and overall system performance (Erminia Attaianese
2012). The goal of the ergonomic design of the museum environment is to create prevailing ambient
conditions that are comfortable and acceptable accommodations of activity performance or visitor
health (Stanton 2005). The aspects of the physical environment in the museum that can affect the
effectiveness of information presented are noise, lighting, ergonomics of the eye line (anthropometry), the connectedness of the content and objects on display, visual elements, and their location
to the visitor’s circulation flow (Screven 1992; Wulandari et al. 2017). Effective layout and display
designs are designed to engage visitors for self-education on a subject and to inspire the visitors to
learn more (Wolfgang Leister 2016). If there is any display design’s fault and improper arrangement
both visually or physically, that means the collection will potentially be overlooked by visitors.
Labels on collection displays also play an important role in providing information to visitors.
Information labels are important to provide a deep understanding of a display object in a museum
(Wulandari et al. 2017). Labels refer to all types of media—print, audio, graphics, and presentation
formats—used to help visitors interpret and connecting with exhibition content, have an emotional
impact, or to motivate visitors to get to know more (Screven 1992). The presentation aspect of label
format includes all type of media used such as interactive, sound, image, and video.
In order to be easily read by visitors, object information labels need to be designed in accordance
with human ergonomic standards by paying attention to attractive visualizations and placing them
according to the normal human eye line (Wulandari et al. 2017). Several techniques have been used
in previous research to display effective information designs in the form of graphics, sculptures,
boards, or other information products in museums by following UX design principles (Al-Hajji
2017). Principles of UX Design are easy to use, to find the function, and to understand; users do
not have to get help to do the task; visual focus, direction are clear; and users can perform their
task efficiently and correctly, works for the user (Rosenzweig 2015).
Another supporting factor for the ergonomics of the interior environment is lighting. Lighting
has an important role in the exhibition space, both for the conservation of collections and visitors
(Hunt 2009). With an appropriate light, exhibition organizers are present with an influential tool that
enables the definition of the atmosphere for viewing art, establishes a sense of drama to support its
reception, and generally contributes to the success of the exhibition (Schielke 2019). The lighting
intensity is very important for visitors to be able to easily observe the collection and read the label
information clearly (Wulandari et al. 2017).
1.2 Objectives
In this study, we will discuss the effectiveness of a QR code as a label for statues collection at the
Mpu Purwa Museum in terms of the ergonomics placement. A QR code label contains descriptions
and explanations of the statue collection in Bahasa and English in the Mpu Purwa Museum. The Mpu
Purwa Museum is a public museum located on Kota Malang, East Java. Most of the Mpu Purwa
Museum collections are statues and inscriptions from the Mpu Sindok period to the Majapahit
Kingdom (year 929–947 AC).
Ergonomic problems in placing QR codes as information labels for collections in museums that
will be discussed in this paper are lighting and anthropometry related to the placement of QR codes.
Based on visitor interviews and field observations, the problem found in implementing QR codes
as collection information is that not all of them can be seen by visitors and require more effort to
aim the smartphone camera at the QR code. Other problems are the material selection, QR code
image placement, and lights position that cause a very bright reflection on a QR code.
2 METHODOLOGY
The research method used in this research is the qualitative method by conducting literature studies, field studies, and interviews. Studies conducted to search for reference data and analyzing the
361