Chuck,

I'm also replying to the list because there may be others interested in our
Designer's Guide.

We provide interactive electronics for use in museum exhibit as well as
tradeshow displays.  We have an Exhibit Designer's Guide to Interactive
Electronics which may be of interest to you.

You can get a free copy of the Designer's Guide by filling out the form on
our website.  Click on the link below and go the the "more info" section.

To answer your specific questions:

How do you work with your clients? - How involved is the client in the
design process?

Of course it depends on project and the client and how involved they want to
be.  There are some projects that the client has worked out, they send us
the description and we send them the electronics ready for installation in
the exhibit.  Most projects we are quite involved with working with the
client from beginning to end.  We find that it works best when the client
outlines in broad strokes what it is that they are trying to accomplish
before it is a real project.  We then discuss it with them and give them
suggestions on how make less expensive, simpler, more effective, etc.

How do you estimate how long it will take to create a brand-new component?

Generally, when it comes to time we get a call from a client and they say
this is what we're need and we here's when we need it.  Can you do it?
Obviously, a reasonable lead-time is preferable.  We currently have three
week minimum lead-time for new projects.

How do you determine what you charge your clients?

Since almost all of our work is custom we estimate on project by project
basis.  However, we take a modular approach to interactive electronics.
This means we have a variety of modules which we combine and program for
each specific application.  This allows use to keep the cost down and still
be flexible.  We start with an estimate and turn it into a quote once the
specification are nailed down, if necessary

What about multimedia--do you do it yourselves or farm it out?

We have the capability of producing most of our own media.  However, there
are times that it make sense to "farm it out".  It all depends on the
project, the budget, and the needs of the client.

Hope this helps.

-Mark-

 * Mark Fowle, General Manager
 * INNOVA Applied Technology
 * 2841 East 19th Street
 * Signal Hill, CA 90804
 * Email: [log in to unmask]
 * http://www.INNOVA-AT.com/
 * Phone: (800) 417-9060
 * Fax: (800) 773-7694

 * Providers of Interactive Solutions *

-----Original Message-----
From: Automatic digest processor <[log in to unmask]>
To: Recipients of ISEN-ASTC-L digests <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, March 17, 2000 9:15 PM
Subject: ISEN-ASTC-L Digest - 16 Mar 2000 to 17 Mar 2000 (#2000-69)


I've got a bunch of questions about the design process for interactives.
We're trying to refine our process, and I'd love to hear how others get what
they need. What are the bottlenecks and pitfalls? Got any war stories or
success stories?

If you're a museum or science center, do you buy interactives from an
exhibit company, develop your own interactive components in-house, or some
combination of the two? What sort of process do you use to determine the
need for a new interactive? How is the thing defined, developed, designed,
produced, tested, and evaluated? Who's involved in the process, and what
skills do you think are necessary?

If you're in the business of selling interactives, how do you work with your
clients? How involved is the client in the design process? How do you
estimate how long it will take to create a brand-new component? How do you
determine what you charge your clients? What about multimedia--do you do it
yourselves or farm it out?

Please reply to me off-list, and please pardon the cross postings.

Chuck Stout

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