ADVANCED INTERPRETIVE PLANNING

100 words of text written in at least 30 point size for the main text. •  If you can’t get your main message across in about fifteen seconds you probably aren’t going to. Think of those fifteen second commercials…! •  All interpretive panels at any site or location should illustrate the same interpretive theme for the total site interpretation, drawing on different examples or illustrations. •  Visitors don’t really care what the interpretive panels are made out off, or their shape. The key factor is “did the message presentation or illustration connect with the visitor’s imagination, feelings, heart or personality?

Will the message being interpreted be remembered or acted on? Creative panel physical shapes can help provoke the visitor to approach, look at or interact with the panel, or help contribute to message unity for the total site interpretation. Does the panel fit into the landscape or its setting visually and thematically?

5. Evaluate Interpretive panels, exhibits and other media should be pre-tested (evaluated) to see if they actually accomplish their stated objectives. Why would any manager want to pay for interpretation that does not actually accomplish anything meaningful?

Last Christmas I went to a store to purchase some new Christmas lights. When I got them at the store I tested them

14 | Interpretive Basics: When is “Interpretation” not Interpretation?