Tactile Reproductions and Mobile Application

Client: The Andy Warhol Museum
Date: November 2016 through December 2017
Services: Physical Prototyping, Spot Checks, Visual Description, Tactile Graphics
A slanted white museum or gallery display table against a plain wall. The display is labeled "Tactile Reproductions Please Touch," suggesting it is designed for hands-on accessibility. On the left is a large pale raised-relief image resembling a portrait, while the center includes a label card with a small blue-toned self-portrait image. On the right are additional raised outline patterns and a colorful printed artwork label. The display sits on black metal legs in a clean, minimal exhibition space.

PAC worked with The Andy Warhol Museum on tactile reproductions and the accessible Out Loud mobile app, consulting on durable replica prototypes, writing and recording visual and guided tactile descriptions, and improving app accessibility for blind and low vision visitors.

A gallery or museum installation featuring tactile reproductions of iconic pop-art consumer packaging. On the left table is a white embossed cube resembling a Brillo soap pads box. On the larger angled display to the right are mounted panels with raised white outlines and small printed reference images, including a Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup can and a Brillo box. A small sign at the top reads "Tactile Reproductions Please Touch." The display sits against a light-colored wall on white tables with black metal legs, with a concrete floor beneath.
An art gallery installation: a large white, angled display case on black metal legs stands against a plain white wall on a polished concrete floor. Inside the case are two very light, raised or embossed portrait drawings, designed like tactile reproductions. Each portrait is paired with a small printed color image and explanatory label; the visible labels appear to reference Julia Warhola and Mick Jagger. A small sign at the top of the case reads "Tactile Reproductions Please Touch," indicating that visitors are invited to feel the artworks.
A white display table with black metal legs set against a plain wall in a gallery-like space. On the tabletop are large pale, embossed panels featuring subtle raised outlines of faces, meant to be touched. A small sign at the top reads "Tactile Reproductions Please Touch." Each tactile panel is paired with a small printed reference card containing a portrait image and text; one card appears to say "Jackie," while another on the right references "Secret Test: Billy Linich." The overall scene is minimal, bright, and museum-oriented, with the tactile artwork arranged for accessibility and hands-on interaction.
A black iPhone centered on a light gray background. On the phone screen is an app interface featuring a large photo of shiny metallic silver star balloons against a dark background. Beneath the photo is a white list-style menu with the items, "About The Andy Warhol Museum," "Accessibility at The Warhol," "Museum amenities," "Settings," and "Credits," each with a right-facing arrow. A turquoise navigation bar at the bottom includes icons and labels for "Near Me," "Stories," and "The Warhol," with a small red notification badge on the "Near Me" pin icon.
A black iPhone centered on a light gray background. On the phone screen is a dark gray app welcome page branded "the warhol:" at the top. In the center, a large turquoise "w" appears above the title "out loud" in white text. Below it, the screen reads: "Welcome to The Andy Warhol Museum's inclusive audio guide." Near the bottom is a turquoise "Next" button with three small pagination dots underneath, indicating an onboarding sequence. The iOS status bar is visible at the top, including "Back to TestFlight," the time, and battery status.

Project Description

The Andy Warhol Museum’s mission is to engage and inspire through Warhol’s life, art, and legacy, and the museum is committed to including all visitors in that mission. The museum set out to make a number of Andy Warhol’s works accessible to a wider audience, especially blind and low vision visitors, through tactile reproductions and an audio guide called Out Loud. The replicas were custom built to be extremely sturdy so that they stand the test of time and the inquisitive touches of thousands of visitors.

The mobile application contains recorded speech, while also being fully accessible through the various built-in technologies on one’s personal device. For each artwork, PAC consulted on prototypes of the tactile replicas. We wrote and recorded not only a visual description, but also a guided tactile description to walk the visitor through the experience of touching each reproduction in order to understand the textures and elevations present and how they map to the original artwork. PAC also helped ensure and improve the accessibility of the app.

The application is available on iOS for Apple products and is Bluetooth beacon aware; the museum also provides devices to visitors. Check it out on the Apple App Store

Recognition

Out Loud was used for 1,800 sessions in its first year and received widespread media coverage from The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, and 90.5 WESA. The app earned the 2017 Gold MUSE Award for Mobile Applications from the American Alliance of Museums, one of the nation’s highest honors for projects of its kind. The American Alliance of Museums recognized Out Loud as “a shining example of Universal Design” and “a beacon in the museum technology sector and beyond.” The Warhol Museum celebrated the award and its collaboration with PAC in the article The Warhol Expands Award-Winning Technology-Based Accessibility Initiatives. You can also read about the design process firsthand in a behind-the-scenes account written by the former Manager of Digital Engagement at The Andy Warhol Museum.