The Tech Open Source offers a number of ways to connect with museums around the world.  You will also join hundreds of other people working directly with museum staff on their latest exhibits and programs. 

Why participate?
- Network and find paid commissions.
- Demonstrate your skills and experience by offering suggestions to museums and other designers.
- Gain inspiration from other work in the field.
- Find talented designers to help with your own projects.
- Contribute to the museum world.
- Shape new museum exhibits and experiences.
 

How does it work?

Museums worldwide use this site to invite new ideas for their exhibits and programs.  Find a topic that fascinates you in the Requests. Then contribute your ideas and solutions as a Project. Your Project will appear in the Projects section, and on your profile. Requesting museums may occasionally offer awards or prizes. 

 

Take a moment to tell us about yourself in your Profile. Check out the Community page to find other people who can help make your ideas even better.

Our members have been able to:

- Realize and install their ideas in world-famous museums.

- Meet new people such as designers, subject experts, educators and museum professionals.

- Collaborate on fascinating Projects.

- Improve their design skills by working with other people and getting honest feedback.

 

FAQ for Designers

Q: What are the Requests or competitions and how can I get involved?
A: Museums post Requests on this site to invite input for exhibit projects.  Simply take a look at the list of Requests and read about what they are looking for. Your ideas could be implemented at one of the participating museums. 

Q: Who's it for, and who is professionally involved?
A:  This website is a resource for museums worldwide. You’ll find museum professionals from a variety of science museums here, as well as exhibit designers.  You can find out more about members at http://thetechopensource.thetech.org/community.
 

Q: What prizes are offered?

A: Museums may offer anything from recognition to cash prizes for contributing your ideas and content. Some content may be used directly by a museum (such as videos). 

Q: What are the deadlines?

A:  Each Request has a posted time frame for contributors, usually 60–90 days. 

 

Q: What are the criteria for choosing ideas, content, and prize winners?

A:  A group of curators at each museum will select content and ideas for their institution. 

 

Q: How can I find people to collaborate with me on this project?

A: Post a Project on the website - set the status to read “Seeking Team Members”.

 

Q: How do I choose collaborators from the directory?

A: Browse site members by skills. 

 

Q: What other projects are coming up?

A: The latest Requests can be found posted on the Requests page. 

 

Q: What have other people produced for open Requests?

A: More than 350 exhibit concepts have been contributed to this site. The best ones are featured on the Projects page. 

 

Q: How can I use The Tech Open Source to gain exposure to the community of museum professionals?

A: Contribute Projects to current Requests. Comment on Projects you find interesting.

 

Q: What does “open source” mean?

A:  For museums, open source means that the source of input and ideas for new exhibits or programs is open to suggestions from you.  For designers, it means contributing to a collection of knowledge that advances the industry and getting credit for it. The Tech Open Source is primarily for brainstorming, prototyping, and networking, and you are not required to provide code or plans if you do not want to.

 

Q: How can “open source” advance the quality of exhibits?

A:  For decades, science museums relied on internal development of exhibits.  Now it is important to seek ideas and even content from a much wider and more diverse set of creative people. Collaborating also prevents siloed development of similar systems. 

 

Q: How is this site going to protect my ideas if I submit them?

A: Each Project you contribute to The Tech Open Source is attributed to you and any team members you work with. 

 

Q: How can I indicate that I am a professional designer?

A:  Be sure to add your contact information to your profile.  Museums will then be able to get in touch with you if they like your work. 

 

Q: How do I stop my ideas being ripped off by museums and other designers?

A: Museums routinely borrow ideas for exhibits and programs from each other without ever attributing credit to the source.  The best way to get credit for  your innovative concepts or ideas is to document them openly and then work directly with the museums interested in them.

 

Q: How can I best demonstrate my knowledge and experience on the site?

A: Use clear descriptions and informative images to document your Project.  Complete your Profile and upload a resume.  Museums worldwide are looking for talent like yours. 

 

Q: What's in it for me?

A: Museums in our programs are looking for ideas, content, and help building exhibits.  Participate by contributing to a museum Request.  We can think of no better way to gain exposure and recognition for your work. 

 

Q: How can I use The Tech Open Source to gain exposure to the museum industry?

A: Contribute Projects in response to museum Requests.   Complete your Profile. Upload some awesome images to document your work.