Lorem Ipsum

How do we hold space for the different needs of different bodies?

Lorem ipsum is a placeholder. It comes from Latin and designers use it as a temporary text in the design process.

This installation visualises guidelines and advice for inclusive presentations. ‘Lorem Ipsum’ is an invitation to visitors, designers and cultural institutions. To think about how to include diverse bodily experiences by way of design.

Accessibility is about learning to design for everybody. This is a process: it means making choices while knowing there is always room for improvement.

About the makers

'Lorem Ipsum' is initiated by Shay Raviv and results from the Embassy team's research into accessibility and inclusivity. The concept and content were created in collaboration with Marleen Hartjes. The installation was designed by The Anderen (Karin Fischnaller) and realised by Bruns. 'Lorem Ipsum' builds on previous research into inclusivity conducted at Van Abbemuseum from 2015 to 2022. In ‘The Multi-Sensory Museum’, a broad team worked towards a more accessible museum.

Lorem Ipsum Photo: Almicheal Fraay

Overview guidelines

The installation uses spatial and graphical guidelines from the toolkit ‘Museum Open U’, among other sources. These include:

— Space around and access to objects
— Placement of information
A text: introduction text
B text: quotes or extra information (optional)
C text: title cards
— Signage
— Typography
— Language
— Colour contrasts
— Light planning
— Tactile experience (touch)
— Auditory information (hearing)
— Sitting and resting
— Acoustics (sound)

Check the document with detailed guidelines here

Colophon

Here follows an extended list of the people and organisations who contributed to this installation.

Initiative
Embassy of Inclusive Society, World Design Embassies

Concept
Marleen Hartjes, Shay Raviv

Content guidance
Marleen Hartjes

Process guidance
Shay Raviv

Visual design
Karin Fischnaller (The Anderen)

Design research
Karin Fischnaller (The Anderen), Insan Larasati

Accessibility advice and feedback
Marieke van Gastel, Séverine Kas (Stichting Accessibility)

Technical production
Bruns

Glasses
Studio Corvers (Drempelloos toolkit)

Voice over
Joanne Houmes

Braille
CBB

Editing and translation
Anna van den Berg

Font
Studio Giulia Boggio (Bastardo Grotesk)

Chair
The Revolt is a design by Friso Kramer for the Ahrend brand. The chair is repainted in lilac.

This installation is made possible thanks to the support of Bruns.

We thank the partners of the Embassy of Inclusive Society: ActiZ, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Centre of Expertise for Creative Innovation, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven Municipality, FriendsLottery Fund, VSB Fund, Brainport, Dutch Design Foundation.

‘Lorem Ipsum’ builds on earlier research into accessibility and inclusivity in museums (2015–2022). Marleen Hartjes headed the research project, in collaboration with and advised by experts with other abilities and lived experiences, sounding board members, testing and evaluation groups, project team members and co-designers.

With, among others: Frank ter Beek, Amber Bindels, Jascha Blume, Jaap Breider, Angelo Custodio, Jeroen van Dijk, Simon Dogger, Pia Hendriks, Adi Hollander, Alicia Hoost, George Kabel, Séverine Kas, Peter en Ria Kostermans, Joan Kuhlman, Mari Sanders, Annelies Snijkers, Barbara Strating, Johan Nefkens, Rieky Verwimp, Judith Vogels, Roos Wattel, Eva Westerhoff.

This research resulted, among other things, in the Multisensory Museum, a collaboration with architects Peter-Willem Vermeersch, Jeandonné Schijlen and Tomas Dirrix, and the KU Leuven. That project led to Delinking and Relinking — the first multi-sensory collection presentation in the Netherlands. You can find all those (previously) involved on the Van Abbemuseum — Delinking and Relinking webpage.