ENHANCING MUSEUM VISITOR'S UNDERSTANDING OF WESTERN ZHOU BRONZE WARE SYMBOLS THROUGH DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

This study aims to explore how digital environments can enhance audience cognition in museum settings. Research objectives: 1. To analyze the application and characteristics of digital environment design in museums. 2. To study the meaning of Western Zhou bronzeware symbols. Design and develop digital environments to present Western Zhou bronze wares to enhance an audience's understanding. 3. To summarize effective cultural communication methods in museums to enhance the audience's cultural cognition. Utilizing the design concept of "heaven is round, earth is square," the research developed a virtual reality exhibition space centered on the Western Zhou bronze artifact, He Zun, using Unity. This study adopts a mixed-methods research approach. Researchers systematically reviewed the literature on Western Zhou bronze symbols to extract their cultural significance and analyzed the application characteristics of digital environments in museums. In collaboration with experts, the most suitable technologies for the display of the research object were selected. The research methodology included fieldwork, questionnaires, and expert interviews, with feedback from experts used to optimize the design. The final model was tested with museum visitors at the Baoji Bronze Museum. Tools such as ZBrush, Procreate, After Effects, and Spine were employed during the model development process, ensuring a systematic and comprehensive workflow. The results indicate that the digital environment, through diverse interactive experiences, significantly enhanced audience understanding of the exhibits, which was further validated by audience survey feedback. Three experts provided ratings for the project based on ten key evaluation points. Most evaluation criteria scored between 3.67 and 4.00 on average, reflecting a generally positive assessment. Experts provided high ratings for core aspects of the project, such as "interaction design" (4.00), "immersion" (4.00), and "technological innovation" (4.00), indicating that the project demonstrates strong performance in enhancing user experience. Expert evaluations highly affirmed the effectiveness of the digital environment in improving museum audience cognition, suggesting that this study provides valuable insights into the digital display of Western Zhou bronzes and could serve as a meaningful supplement to traditional museum exhibitions. The study found that layered interactive design and multimedia displays effectively enhanced audience interest and comprehension. The virtual reality exhibition increased the exhibition's attractiveness and provided more diverse pathways for cultural dissemination.

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