Client: The Pew Charitable Trusts
Project: Online software training and promotional cdrom

inspiration

The Pennsylvania Cultural Data Project (PACDP) developed a standardized online system for collecting organizational data about the state’s arts and cultural organizations. This bold new project provides organizations with access to reliable data about the cultural sector – facilitating the overall effectiveness of the non-profit cultural community. Concerns about privacy issues, increased administration and new technology suggested potential resistance to this new tool, while the success of the PACDP depended on the enthusiasm of participating organizations.

narration

Night Kitchen Interactive created a narrative that voiced the concerns of the community, while underscoring the value this project would bring to the participants. It expressed the project goals and guiding principles, pinpointing the existing needs of Pennsylvania’s arts and culture communities and the ways in which the PACDP would help.

design

Night Kitchen Interactive designed a rich-media introduction that connected the human face of the arts and cultural community with the dynamism of this powerful data tool. Music, streaming video, graphics, and testimonial narrative were incorporated to appeal to different kinds of users – and bring the PACDP’s vision to life. We presented the data collection process in a 25-minute walk-through, focusing on “how to” guidance in an easy to navigate and visually dynamic format.

interaction

The training was designed to be used in face-to-face sessions, on the web, and on cdrom. Processes were illustrated and step-by-step procedures were demonstrated through Watch-and-Learn software simulations. As a supplement to the PACDP’s help desk, Night Kitchen provided feedback mechanisms for participants through web-based support and surveys in the training program.