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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Charlie,

What exhibit evaluation can do is free up that creativity by letting 
designers take a shot a those wild ideas you mention find ones that really 
hit the target. It can also find the sweet spots to make the exhibit 
experience even better. Of course evaluation can be about creativity! I 
always consider it the nuitients in the soil to support that creativity. 
(And if you are really creative you'll spot a great come back in that 
metaphor.)  It all depends how it is done and the colleagiality the built 
into the exhibit development process through honesty, good will, and 
respect.

The old-style single combat warrior model for the "artist/designer" is not 
the only game in town. Sure the single great creative genius works 
sometimes, but so does creative collaboration. It's not either and or 
proposition.

I love to work with exhibition development teams! It's exciting and 
fascinating and fun! Evaluation can play a role in making is exciting and 
fascinating and a great experience for visitors.

I don't like the increase drift in the field toward confusing evaluation and 
research, increased formality in reporting, and writing for "the field" 
rather than the exhibit team. . Formative evaluation should be right there 
in the midst of the design process, in the nitty, gritty and give designers 
authentic insights, open up new perspectives, and shake up old assumptions 
to make room for new ones. Evaluation isn't about "voting" for the best 
design--it's about understanding how that design creates a connection to 
visitors.

Carey

Carey Tisdal
Tisdal Consulting
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314-496-9097

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