People no longer go to museums just to see the art. Most expect a great experience where they can have fun with friends and family and learn something new.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) Museum of the Dog in New York is a powerful example of what a modern museum experience should be. Museum of the Dog is a multidisciplinary destination that features hands-on, interactive exhibits combining art, education, and entertainment. The museum seamlessly bridges physical and digital touchpoints, which give new life to the AKC’s vast collection — one of the world’s largest collections of fine art and artifacts related to dogs.
— John Bricker, creative director, Gensler
Digital activations include a “Find Your Match” kiosk that uses facial recognition technology to match users’ photos with an AKC-registered dog breed, and a “Train a Dog on the Job” exhibit that teaches visitors how to train a virtual dog with voice commands and hand signals that are detected by motion sensors and 3D cameras. Touchscreen tables allow visitors to peruse the organization’s nearly 200 registered dog breeds, while a mobile app provides information about the artwork and AKC-related services, featuring augmented reality experiences such as a kid-friendly scavenger hunt led by a dog named “Arty.”
With its reinvented presence and distinctive, interactive design, the museum shares its mission with a new generation of dog lovers.
John Bricker founded Gensler’s Retail and Brand studios and continues to expand these practice areas into emerging markets in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. John retired in 2024.
