A Walk Through an Online Exhibit
By Bart Marable
Engaging Web sites must do more than simply organize content—they must transform it into a compelling and lively experience.
Most sites on the Web today aren't engaging because they still mimic the model of the printed page. In most sites, users follow a table of contents (main menu) or index (search engine) directly to their destination: a single page of content. While this approach is efficient, logical, and in some cases preferred, it also removes much of the joy of exploration and discovery from the browsing experience.
At Terra Incognita, we specialize in producing online documentaries and educational exhibits. We've found that Web designers can learn from other, more interactive models to make their Web sites much more engaging. For example, one of the best models is the design of museum exhibits. Both Web sites and exhibits must entice their visitors, provide clear paths of exploration, keep visitors' attention, and connect visitors with what they're looking for—from interactive experiences to in-depth informational resources.
This close relationship between engaging Web sites and museum exhibits stems from the fact that they both tell interactive stories. Unlike traditional, noninteractive stories found in books, television, and film, interactive stories engage visitors as active participants by giving them the chance to select their own paths through the content. (For more details about online storytelling, see my article, "Bringing Stories To Life Online," in the March 1999 issue).<>
