The Site
Located in the historical and scenic Plaka area of Athens, Greece, on the foot of the Acropolis, the History Museum of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, is one of the few buildings in Athens dating before the Pre-Ottonian era. This is where the University of Athens was first housed at its establishment in 1837 and where it operated until 1841.
Since its inauguration in 1987, the museum regularly hosts a variety of cultural and scientific events (temporary exhibitions, theatrical performances, talks, symposiums, conferences, etc), addressed not only to members of University communities but also to the wider public.
A significant part of the museum visitors are school students who visit the museum with their class. The museum is also visited by families, adults and many tourists throughout the whole year as well as the audience and participants of the parallel events that it hosts.
Our objective was to design a museum experience addressed to students and younger audiences, that would highlight the importance of this university establishment about two hundred years ago. This historical monument is part of the big narrative of the Greek history. It coincides with the time when the Modern Greek State was founded (1830), just a few years after the successful outcome of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire.
The Experience
The “What should I study” app offers a 45 minute to 1 hour visually rich storytelling-based guided tour through smart mobile devices. It highlights the history of the first years of the University after its establishment in 1837. The visitor experiences the museum through the eyes of a fictional young man of that time, Emmanouil. Emmanouil is facing an important dilemma: Is he to follow the path his father decided for him, become a pharmacist like him and inherit the family business? Or instead, try to obtain the approval of his father to attend Law School, following his own dreams to become an important figure like his role model, the first governor of the Modern Greek State, Ioannis Kapodistrias?
The visitor follows Emmanouil on his day of registration at the University when he attempts to make a decision and find a way to pursue his dream.
What others think about it
Our evaluation, both with invited visitors and “in the wild” confirms the strength of our approach to promote engagement, learning and deeper reflection, even in visitors with no particular interest in the specific period and themes. The storytelling app functioned as an incentive to delve deeper into a pivotal historical period for Greece, as seen through the eyes of a fictional but convincing young man of that time. This familiar and relatable character played the role of companion and guide, and the perspective he offered helped visitors foster a deeper understanding and connection with the exhibits and history. The visual elements, designed to support the story plot and bring to life exhibited objects and historical figures, were positively evaluated and contributed significantly to the aforementioned engagement.
“Emmanouil kept me company and guided me to the most interesting aspects of the museum.”
“I had never imagined that people of that time, with so little resources could accomplish so much in science.”
“Unbelievable, at that period we almost did not have a country but we did have a University!”
“We are regular visitors of the museum, but the app helped us see the museum through a new light and truly realize its full value, for the first time!”
Try It!
What should I study?
The storytelling experience is currently available for Android devices only. You may find it and download it in the Google Play Store, both in Greek and English language.
If you use an iPhone, or just don’t want to use your own device, visit the museum and ask for a device there. They’ll be happy to help you!
The app was designed and developed through close collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team of experts, from our group and the Museum’s staff. The illustrator and comic creator Petros Xristoulias was responsible for the storyboard and the visual design of the experience.
