Interpretation information.

There’s a lot to know if you want to be a museum interpretation ninja.

We’ve spent over a decade researching and learning how to create amazing interpretation. However, there are plenty of simple tips and tricks you can easily apply if you need to write your own museum panels and guidebooks.

So, here’s the secret sauce.

Great interpretation panel
You have one job.

Visiting heritage attractions, museums and zoos should always be a great day out. But, if we don’t broadcast a message and influence how our visitors think and feel, then really, what’s the point?

A good example of bad interpretation
Looking for a good time?

When I was growing up I was one of those kids who was too impatient to battle through boring museum panels, largely because I had better things to be doing. I wanted the content to be easy to read and understand, and I also wanted to be entertained.

Layered interpretation
Mojo’s top ten interpretation writing tips.

If you’re starting from scratch, writing great interpretation can seem like a daunting challenge. These ten interpretation tips will point you in the right direction.

Why your swanky museum might be crap.

Whether you have millions to spend on your museum or not, its success relies upon stories and relevance. Here’s how small museums can sometimes win over large, multi-million-pound attractions.

The Interpretation Handbook.

Interpretation panels are the most common form of communication between museums and their visitors. Sadly, many panels are so painfully difficult and onerous to read that visitors often don’t bother. We’d like to change that.

Zoo guidebooks and interpretation panels.

Some zoos, unfortunately, suffer from the same interpretive challenges which afflict many museums and heritage attractions, believing that the exhibit itself is enough to enthral the visitor.

Text heavy panel
Curators need help writing museum panels.

Don’t get me wrong – I like curators, I really do! They have an important job to do which requires a great deal of skill, knowledge and experience.

How to get children interested
Kids on phones.

By now we all must have seen this photograph, showing a group of schoolchildren apparently ignoring Rembrandt’s artistic masterpiece.

Incorrect apostrophe examples
Bad copywriting is bad for business.

When I was a youngster, I thought most household name businesses would have a huge marketing department. It would be chock full of experts with an almost supernatural understanding of human psychology.

Artsy bollocks makes Hugh angry
Artsy bollocks.

I was what you might call an inner-city kid. I grew up in a rough neighbourhood, and our access to culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, and academia was essentially non-existent.

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