After the Hong Kong Maritime Museum moved to its new premises on Pier 8 on Hong Kong's iconic harbour, Magian was contracted by Kingsmen (Hong Kong) to provide design, development, production and implementation services for multimedia at the Museum's new site.

Magian worked with Kingsmen and the Museum's exhibition curator to confirm the media in the numerous new galleries based on the Haley Sharpe (UK) exhibition design. Visitors to the Hong Kong Maritime Museum are treated to special access to the harbour from Pier 8. Many of the Museum's galleries have views out onto the harbour the history and operation of which is specifically interpreted in the Museum.

Experiential multimedia interactives engage visitors in most of the exhibit galleries. Visitors are able to discover the workings of some of Hong Kong's Lighthouses, the Global Maritime Disaster Safety System, and Morse code. Visitors also learn about traditional Chinese trade routes, the maritime rules of the "road", how to recognise ships and shipping; how to load a container ship; or to fire an early pirate cannon. An exhibit interpreting a ship's bridge is supported by multimedia illustrating the workings of this vital part of any ship, and the Museum's extensive collection of trade paintings includes a touchscreen that interprets the history within a number of these fascinating paintings.

The Magian MMaPS Content Manager was used as the basis for the development of media programs at the Museum. The system allows museum staff to extend and alter content over time to make on-going use of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum's extensive collections. At times the content management system is also used specifically to enhance the Museum's educational objectives or public program initiatives.

Magian designed and developed the technical infrastructure for thirty-six networked touchscreens distributed throughout the many galleries. Graphic interface design and content for most of the interactive multimedia programs were also designed and delivered by Magian.

Museum site staff use an iPod Touch to manage the operational control of multimedia programs on a daily basis.

Magian's Scope

• design and production
• design and production
• technical infrastructure
• touchscreen programs

Project:

Hong Kong Maritime Museum - The New Museum

Location

Hong Kong