Digital Interpretation
Digital interpretation is not about technology.
It is about meaning, understanding, and how people engage with stories, places, and ideas.
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At AVimmerse, we use digital methods only where they genuinely support interpretation goals. In many contexts, this leads to digital outcomes. In others, it leads to non-digital or hybrid approaches. Our role is to help organisations make thoughtful decisions about how interpretation is shaped, experienced, and sustained
What We Mean by Digital Interpretation
Interpretation is the process of helping people understand and connect with content, whether historical, cultural, educational, or research-led. Digital interpretation refers to the use of digital tools and environments in service of that process.
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This might include interactive storytelling, spatial or immersive experiences, digital layers that support physical interpretation, or learning-focused digital resources. What matters is not the medium itself, but how effectively it supports understanding, access, and engagement.
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Digital interpretation should clarify meaning, not distract from it.
When Digital Adds Value (and When It Doesn’t)
Digital approaches can add real value when they:
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Extend access to places, stories, or collections.
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support layered or non-linear narratives.
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Enable forms of exploration not possible through physical interpretation alone.
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Complement teaching, learning, or research contexts.
However, digital interpretation is not always the right answer. In some cases, it can introduce unnecessary complexity, cost, or exclusion. Part of our work involves helping organisations recognise when digital is appropriate, and when it is not.
This distinction is critical to creating sustainable, responsible interpretation.
DIGITAL
APPROACH
Interpretation Before Technology
We do not begin with tools, platforms, or formats.
We begin with questions.
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What is the story?
Who is the audience?
What context matters?
What is the purpose of the work?
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Only once these are understood do we explore whether digital approaches are appropriate, and if so, which forms make sense. This interpretation-first approach avoids solution-driven thinking and ensures that technology remains a means, not an end.
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Forms Digital Interpretation Can Take
Digital interpretation can take many forms, depending on context and intent. These may include:
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Interactive maps and trails.
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Immersive or spatial storytelling.
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Carefully applied AR, VR, or XR experiences.
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Digital layers that enhance physical interpretation.
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Learning-focused digital resources and simulations.
We avoid prescriptive formats. The form should emerge from the interpretive need, not the other way around.
Digital Interpretation in Practice
In practice, digital interpretation often sits at the intersection of heritage, education, research, and public engagement. Our work spans university teaching contexts, cultural and heritage organisations, research projects, and place-based initiatives.
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Rather than presenting isolated outputs, we focus on how digital interpretation supports broader goals, such as learning outcomes, public understanding, or long-term engagement.
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You can explore how this approach has been applied in practice
through a selection of case studies.
Digital Interpretation Without the Hype
We wrote Digital Interpretation Without the Hype to address a common problem in the sector: the pressure to adopt digital tools without sufficient reflection on purpose, context, or sustainability.
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The guide offers a grounded perspective on digital interpretation, focusing on decision-making, common pitfalls, and choosing the right medium for the story.
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It is intended for museum professionals, educators, heritage practitioners, and organisations exploring digital approaches thoughtfully.
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If you’re working within a heritage or cultural organisation, you may also want to explore how this approach applies in practice.
Digital interpretation for heritage organisations →
Who This Approach Is For
This approach to digital interpretation is particularly suited to:
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Councils and place-based initiatives.
It is designed for organisations that value interpretation, collaboration, and long-term impact over short-term novelty
Related Work and Perspectives
For further context, you may wish to explore:
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How We Work.
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Professional Testimonials.
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Selected talks, essays, and reflections on heritage, education, and digital practice.
These pieces provide additional insight into how this approach is applied across different settings.
Ready to Explore an Idea?
If you are considering a digital interpretation project, pilot, or exploratory phase, we are always happy to start with a conversation.
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These discussions focus on context, thinking, and fit, rather than selling solutions.