Pankaj Manchanda, Founder, Augtraveler
In many museums today, one can observe an interesting contradiction. Spaces that are being reimagined as dynamic, interactive environments are often still anchored in largely passive modes of engagement. Large digital screens play looping films, and interactive kiosks sit underused, overwhelming visitors as they move through galleries at a pace that rarely matches the depth of the stories being told. This is not a failure of technology. It is often a question of how it is being used. As museums across India evolve into more participatory and experiential spaces, the role of technology is becoming increasingly central. Yet the real opportunity lies not in adding more digital layers, but in designing them more thoughtfully—around the visitor rather than the device.
From Observation to Engagement In our work across museum and heritage environments, one recurring pattern becomes evident: visitors are curious, but their engagement is often brief. They pause at a screen, watch for a few seconds, and move on. The content may be rich, but the format does not always invite exploration. The same screen that plays a passive video can also serve as an interactive entry point, allowing visitors to choose what to explore at their own pace. When designed this way, digital installations move from being informational to becoming exploratory.
Designing for Multi-Visit, Not One-Time Consumption Museums are increasingly being envisioned as multi-visit learning destinations. Visitors return not just to see exhibits, but to participate in workshops, attend curated screenings, and engage with experts and peers. Museum event calendars and social integrations support this ongoing engagement, transforming museums into living cultural ecosystems.
Extending Content Through Partnerships Digital infrastructure enables museums to host curated films, collaborate with schools, universities, and related institutions, and facilitate an exploration of traditional knowledge systems in contemporary contexts. These partnerships allow museums to evolve into active knowledge hubs rather than static spaces.
Designing for Inclusion and Access Museums serve diverse audiences. Multilingual content layers, accessibility-focused design, and inclusive interfaces ensure that experiences are available to all visitors, including those with mobility or visual challenges. Technology, when used thoughtfully, democratises access to knowledge.
When Simpler Works Better Some of the most engaging museum experiences rely on simple interventions. A case of lighting automation synchronised with sound design, complemented by well-crafted dioramas and ambient storytelling, often outperforms complex digital systems in both engagement and sustainability.
Sustainability as a Design Principle Technology can also support sustainable museum operations. Beyond interactive digital design, adoption of allied intelligent systems can help optimise energy use, manage water resources, and integrate renewable solutions, allowing museums to lead by example. Museums today are evolving into spaces of engagement, dialogue, and interpretation. The most effective use of technology is not visible and in-your-face — it works quietly in the background, subtly enhancing the visitor journey without overwhelming it. The future of museums lies not in becoming more digital but in becoming more human- centric, inclusive, and continuously relevant.
View original pages, photographs & credits
Originally published in Museum Mosaic 2025, published May 2026.
Part of our annual review. Descriptions reflect the publication’s reporting period.
