Digital innovation in museums: successful practical examples

In a world where technology is advancing at a rapid pace, museums face the challenge of not only digitizing their offerings but also rethinking the role of the institution. What role does the museum play in the digital world? Wonnder (formerly known as Audio-Cult) explores how leading museums are using digital technologies to enrich the visitor experience and improve engagement with their audiences. Using three concrete examples, we demonstrate how audio and multimedia guides make sense as part of a digital strategy.

First of all, you need a digital strategy: it is worth taking stock. What digital offerings do we already have in our museum? What skills do we have? And which ideas can be implemented with the resources available?

The impact of digital strategies in museums can be illustrated using concrete examples. Here are three case studies that demonstrate the success of such initiatives:

The Museum Rietberg has tested many different tools. Curators, educators, interaction designers, and scenographers are all involved in optimizing the interface between the analog and digital visitor experiences. To avoid requiring visitors to download multiple apps or visit different websites, the Wonnder web app was introduced as a media guide. This allows wall texts in translation, audio guides, and numerous multimedia offerings to be bundled together. And this applies not only to the permanent exhibition but also to special exhibitions.

At the Migros Museum of Contemporary Art , a new mission statement was first developed. Thus, accessibility and cultural participation are key priorities. In addition to professional social media content production and free admission, numerous initiatives were introduced to promote greater inclusion—ranging from texts in simple language to audio guides and videos in sign language. Here, too, it is particularly important that the museum itself can flexibly create and adapt content.
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At the Museum für Gestaltung , a digital strategy for the museum is currently being developed. This includes improving the visitor experience and further developing processes. Through a new staff member dedicated to digitalization and visitor experience, needs and potential are analyzed, measures are identified, and concrete projects (e.g.,digital museum guides) are implemented. The goal is to seamlessly integrate the digital and analog experiences. Through design thinking, the work is characterized by interdisciplinary collaboration with a broad spectrum of experts, ranging from curators to developers and visitor services staff. Questions surrounding AI and automation are also being explored.

Of course, there are many other institutions that are fundamentally re-examining their own positioning and museum practices. With Wonnder, we support not only large museums but also small exhibition venues. After all, even small museums are confronted with new technical possibilities, ethical questions, and seemingly endless options. But one thing is clear: the integration of technology in museums is not just a trend, but a necessity to remain relevant in a digitalized world.

The digital transformation offers museums a unique opportunity to redefine their role in society and to preserve and communicate cultural heritage in innovative ways.

The practical examples presented here show that the introduction of new audio guide technology as part of a strategic approach helps to make art and culture accessible to a wider audience. Museums that are willing to explore and implement these digital paths will not only remain relevant, but may even increase their reach and relevance.

It's basically about the way we learn and get inspired - this will change permanently. It will be exciting to see how digital technologies evolve and what new opportunities they open up for museums and their visitors.