Understanding the Visual Capacities of Manga and Comic Art as Interpretative Tools

 
Problem Statement
The precursor to today's museums can be traced back to the curiosity cabinets of the 16th century. These extraordinary collections showcased the wonders of the natural world and inspired eager individuals to explore these fascinating rooms. Since that time, museums have sought to engage this curiosity and enhance the visitor experience by selecting appropriate interpretive methods that convey clear and comprehensible messages to their audiences. In this context, comic strips, mangas, and other illustrated narratives are particularly relevant, as they resonate with children and teenagers of all ages. By combining images and text within a single frame, these stories provide a gateway for audiences to immerse themselves in narrative worlds. However, effectively utilizing this artistic form in relation to the meanings and narratives of museums as an interpretive tool necessitates identifying the key characteristics of this artistic-literary genre, especially emphasizing its potential as an interpretive instrument. Therefore, the present research aims to examine and identify these capabilities to offer guidelines on how to employ this form as an interpretive tool in museums.
 
Research Questions
The main question of this research is; "What are the Features of Comics and Manga as interpretive tools of museum concepts?"
 
Research Method
The nature and purpose of this research are both developmental and applied. This study has identified the role of comics and manga in enhancing the visitor experience by thoroughly analysing content obtained from library data and documents related to visitor interactions. Additionally, to address the primary research question, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 15 museum and audience specialists, all of whom have experience in organising museum exhibitions, to identify suitable content for this medium. The specialists' responses were analysed, leading to the identification and categorisation of appropriate content.
Research Results
Comic books and manga serve as powerful mediums for conveying concepts in educational topics. Researchers have identified several inherent features of these media, including: making information accessible through visual metaphors; stimulating curiosity for continuous learning; fostering a sense of enjoyment and interaction in the learning process; enhancing reader comprehension; and promoting critical thinking. Additionally, they provide a foundation based on accurate and reliable information, making the experience of reading a visual story more enjoyable than that of a text version. The active participation of the audience in connecting the panels strengthens the bond between the audience and the creator, allowing readers to feel a connection with the characters. This engagement enhances the learning experience, creates motivation, and improves visual retention. Furthermore, comic books and manga can convey a substantial amount of information in a short period without overwhelming the reader, allowing them to control the pace of their experience. They encourage direct involvement with the narrative, maintaining attention and concentration, while also offering the freedom to choose how to read. Finally, these formats simplify complex scientific concepts, thereby improving understanding and recall of information. Reason: Improved clarity, vocabulary, and technical accuracy while maintaining the original meaning.
 
According to researchers, this medium possesses distinctive features, such as serving as an educational aid that facilitates the understanding of complex concepts and enhances the retention of verbal information. Based on this premise, to utilise this medium as an interpretative tool for conveying museum concepts to the audience, experts in the field, along with previous research, have identified and classified three domains: the characteristics of comics and manga as interpretive tools, the prerequisites for employing comics and manga in a museum context, and the potential outcomes of their use within museums. Furthermore, to elaborate on these features, it is important to consider that when the audience for this medium consists of museum visitors, the key characteristic of manga and comics—namely, the interaction between the reader and the story's characters—allows for a shift in perspective. In this context, the character can be perceived as an object, thereby altering the nature of the relationship between the visitor and the object. The reader's interaction in visualising the world of an object enables the museum to engage the audience with the context surrounding that object. This process encourages the audience's imagination to continue exploring the desired concept or object. Furthermore, this tool effectively connects the narratives within the museum, allowing the audience to uncover these connections through their heightened curiosity.
 
When this medium is utilised as a tool in the interpretation process, it generates a sense of pleasure for the audience, which encourages them to return to the museum for further experiences. One distinguishing feature of this medium, compared to other forms of media used in museums for interpretation and content delivery, is its adaptability to various conditions within the museum environment. Furthermore, the collaboration among graphic designers, curators, and museum officials in crafting a narrative and facilitating audience engagement with this medium fosters a triadic interaction among the curator (who is responsible for creating meaning), the designer (who produces the work), and the audience (the museum visitors).
 
This tool can be utilised by considering the characteristics of the museum, adhering to its usage prerequisites, and paying attention to the results it provides to the audience as an interpretive instrument. It conveys the museum's concepts in alignment with its mission while also taking into account the audience's understanding. By gaining a deeper insight into the audience's personal and social backgrounds, it becomes possible to select the most suitable interpretive tool effectively. Furthermore, these tools, as well as narrative and facilitation methods, should be proportionate to the collection in which they are employed.
This productivity can be presented to audiences in a simple and engaging format in specialised institutions such as archaeology museums, science museums, and industrial museums. The goal is to enhance their understanding and learning of the specialised concepts these museums address. Additionally, museums focused on storytelling, which showcase items such as gaming tools and management artifacts accompanied by specific narratives of intangible culture, can utilise this interpretive tool to convey meaningful messages. This approach aims to create a lasting and enjoyable experience for visitors.