Measuring the Van Gogh Experience in Nuenen
In December 2018, researchers and students of the Breda University of Applied Sciences collected data at the Vincentre in Nuenen. Both colleagues and students from various BUas academies were involved in this project. Cross-academic research and including students in research projects form a perfect match in the new BUas strategy.
Measuring emotions of Vincentre visitors
In the data collection at the Vincentre, the visitor emotions were measured using so-called wearables (biometric wristbands) and cameras that recorded facial expressions. Furthermore, the visitors filled in questionnaires and were interviewed about their experiences during the visit. Emotions were also measured during a guided tour in Nuenen.
Participants and facilitators
The respondents were 25 international students from the Master Imagineering, who also attended a masterclass in Storytelling from Dr Moniek Hover. Students from the 4th year Leisure Factory Minor Storytelling & Consumer Experiences organised this data collection. The Factory students also interviewed the respondents. The emotion measurement was managed by Dr Ondrej Mitas (Tourism) and Wilco Boode (Digital Entertainment). Vincent Neveu (Hotel and Facility) supervised the interviews, Margo Rooijackers accompanied the Master students, and Wilco van Gool (both Leisure) the Factory students.
The development plan
Furthermore, Frank van der Eijnden (Van Gogh Heritage Foundation) presented the development plan of the Van Gogh locations in Brabant. The Storysperience studies will provide important information for design choices in these developments. In 2019, we will see the recommendations resulting from the study for the new design of the expanded Vincentre.
The CELTH Storysperience project
This research was conducted as part of the CELTH Storysperience project. The commissioner was the Van Gogh Heritage Foundation. In the overall CELTH Storysperience project, the focus is on whether and how storytelling techniques create an emotional experience which affects memories and behaviour.
This blog was written by Wilco van Gool, Moniek Hover, Ondrej Mitas. Please contact us for more information.