Attachment7_Content_Management_Data_Fields_Guidelines.pdf

1. Scenes and Content Groups

Attachment 7

Content Management Data Fields Guidelines, 2018

Content Management for Exhibit Planning and Design projects is used to organize, track, manage, and document elements to be featured in an exhibition. Each element is organized by unique identification numbers, which are outlined in Section 11, Content Management of the National Park Service Exhibit Planning, Design, and Fabrication Specifications.

Content Management is intended to be a developmental process, for which Harpers Ferry Center has developed the Museum Exhibit Planner (MEP) template in FileMaker Pro.

Contractors may use the MEP, or another software application of their choice to organize and manage content throughout the exhibit development process.

The MEP data fields excerpted below provide direction on what data must be collected and documented to produce the required Exhibit Elements Schedules at various milestones during the Planning and Design process.

If the contractor is not using the MEP, this document is intended to outline what those required data fields are.

See the NPS Exhibit Planning, Design, and Fabrication Specifications, Section 11, Content Management for the breakdown structure and a description of Scenes and Content Groups.

2. Accessioned Objects (AO)

Accessioned Objects are catalogued items from NPS resources or loaned items from other museums, historical associations, libraries, or other collection repositories.

They include historic objects as well as catalogued natural history specimens, among other objects.

The content management database shall capture the numbering system (AO-00-00- 000), provide the object name or accession number, provide a brief description of the object, and shall indicate the following:

• Type/Material (e.g., metal, ceramic, textile, organic, or other material)

• Source (e.g., park collection, loaned object, or other source)

• Condition and Treatment (e.g., stable, needs conservation, or other condition notes)

• Lending and Usage Rights (e.g., loan arrangements, lending contact details, and other lending requirements and restrictions)

• Image of object

• Dimensions (width, depth, and height; and note whether dimensions are confirmed)

• Additional notes (any information about background, purpose, object preservation needs, considerations, or restrictions such as climate conditions, lighting, or handling)

• Mounting and Installation (e.g., mounting method and instruction)

• Related elements (associated with which EX or CA structure, and which CEs, EEs, EPs, GLs, IMs, and LAs, if any)

3. Cases (CA)

Cases are structural exhibit elements which contain other exhibit elements, including but not limited to Accessioned Objects (AOs), Graphic Layouts (GLs), Images (IMs), and Labels (LAs).

The content management database shall capture the numbering system (CA-00-00- 000), provide notes or a description of the case, and shall indicate the following:

• Dimensions (width, depth, and height)

• Conservation Features:

o Conservation grade or not conservation grade o Type (e.g., pedestal, wall-mounted, free-standing, or other case type) o Access (e.g., lift-off vitrine, hinged door, automated or motorized, or other access method) o Material (e.g., woods and metal, glass and metal, acrylic and wood, contains no woods, or other material type) o Security (e.g., low – simple screws; medium – typical locks; high – access control) o Climate (e.g., passive, mechanical, combination, positive pressure, none) o Seal (e.g., high, medium, low) o Dessicant requirement (include case interior volume in cubic feet or inches)

• Related elements (associated with which EX structure, and which AOs, CEs,

4. Custom Elements (CE)

Custom Elements include any 3-dimensional object that is not an accessioned object.

The content management database shall capture the numbering system (CE-00-00- 000), provide a name/title and brief description of the element, and shall indicate the following:

• Category or type (e.g., terrain model, reproduction, replica, prop, diorama, specimen, figure, or other type of custom element)

• Source (e.g., off-the-shelf vendor, custom model-maker, government-furnished, or other source)

• Note if a reference package is required

• Dimensions (width, depth, and height)

• Production method or material (e.g., resin, bronze, 3D print, natural/organic, or other notes about fabrication or acquisition)

• Installation methods (e.g., techniques for mounting and installing the CE)

• Related elements (associated with which EX or CA structure, and which AOs,

5. Electronic Equipment (EE)

Electronic Equipment refers to any equipment, device, or system which runs, controls, or displays Electronic Programs (EPs).

The content management database shall capture the numbering system (EE-00-00- 000), provide a name and brief description of the equipment or device and its intended functionality, and shall indicate the following:

• Equipment type (e.g., media player, push button, projector, amplifier, datalogger, monitor, motion sensor, lighting element, vent fan, or other electronic equipment)

• Source (e.g., brand name, type, model, vendor, or other source)

• Dimensions (width, depth, and height)

• Installation or mounting method (e.g., wall-mounted, structure-mounted, embedded, or other type of attachment)

• Additional notes (indicate any ancillary equipment required for a fully operational system)

• Architectural specifications (indicate load requirements and circuits needed for operation of equipment)

CEs, EPs, GLs, IMs, and LAs, if any)

6. Electronic Programs (EP)

Electronic Programs are any audio, video, digital interactive, or electromechanical program to be used within the exhibit.

The content management database shall be used to capture information related to the development of the EP, and shall be created in concert with the AV Program Concept and Production Treatments.

The content management database shall capture the numbering system (EP-00-00- 000), provide a name/title and a description of the program, and shall indicate the following:

• Category (e.g., soundscape, slideshow, animation, film, interactive program, digital feedback station, or other type of electronic program)

• Source (e.g., custom AV production, government-provided, stock purchase, or other source)

• Duration or running time

• Note if a reference package is required

• Program or display format (e.g., touchscreen, projection screen, vertically-oriented screen, motion-activated sound, or other program format or functionality)

• Activation method (e.g., relationship to EE and how visitors will access or activate the program)

CEs, EEs, GLs, IMs, and LAs, if any)

7. Graphic Layouts (GL)

Graphic Layouts are “umbrella” elements which usually contain other exhibit elements, such as labels (LA), images (IM), and embedded 3-dimensional custom elements (CE) or electronic programs and equipment (EP/EE).

The content management database shall capture the numbering system (GL-00-00- 000), provide a brief description of the panel, and shall indicate the following:

• Category (e.g. reader rail, mural, object label, flip panel, or other graphic type)

• Format (e.g. InDesign, Illustrator, or other format)

• Dimensions (width and height)

• Production method or material (e.g., HPL, aluminum, vinyl, or other method or material)

• Notes that may capture the purpose or intent or indicate any outstanding needs or special requirements

CEs, EEs, EPs, IMs, and LAs, if any)

8. Images (IM)

Images include individual, existing or custom photographs, illustrations, art, maps, charts, diagrams, or other 2-dimensional display images.

The content management database shall capture the numbering system (IM-00-00- 000), provide a name or title as well as a brief description of the image, and shall indicate the following:

• Type (e.g., B/W photo, color illustration, line art, or other type of image)

• Source (e.g., who owns the image)

• Production Status (e.g., low-resolution, FPO, production-ready, or other status notes)

• Use Rights Information (e.g., required rights including verification of lifetime rights status, required credit line, limitations for cropping, color correcting, or other image editing, and any other use rights information)

• Format (e.g., TIF, JPEG, Illustrator, or other file format)

• Printing and Image Information (e.g., required size and resolution including width, height, and ppi)

CEs, EEs, EPs, GLs, and LAs, if any)

9. Labels (LA)

Labels include all exhibit text, organized in a hierarchy such as titles, subheads, body, and captions.

Label Schedules are not required as an output of the contractor’s content management database unless otherwise specified in the individual task order;

however, the content management numbering system shall be used to identify labels, and the database is a useful tool for tracking label purpose or interpretive intent and organizing labels with their associated accessioned objects (AOs), custom elements (CEs), graphic layouts (GLs), or images (IMs).