This Attractor wall served as an obvious marker of the entry point, clearly dividing it from its neighboring exhibition. Additionally, The exhibition that shared this gallery has a grey wall to create a delineation between the two exhibitions.
Science, Off Script: Teens Take The Field
Lead Designer for this temporary exhibition at The Field Museum.
The story line of this in-house exhibition followed 5 teens on their journey at an on-site, behind-the-scenes scientific film making program. It featured original storyboards and props designed by the teens, as well as real Museum artifacts and the ground-breaking scientific research that teens were allowed access to for their films.
Open Thur Apr 4, 2013 - Sun Jan 12, 2014
Challenge
Two years into my professional design career, I was tasked with the challenge of designing an in-house museum exhibition end to end. I worked within the constraints of small $3,000 signage production budget. The exhibition was in a shared gallery, which added another layer of complexity. We needed to make sure visitors knew where the entry was and to create a delineation between the 2 exhibitions in the space.
Solution
As the lead 2D Exhibition Designer, I collaborated with the in-house cross functional teams to ensure an on-time and successful opening. The way finding issue was solved with signage. Additionally, the other exhibition in the space was walled off so there was a clear delineation between the two.
Team
Art Director
Lead 2D Designer
Project manager
Writer
3D Exhibition Designer
2+ Exhibition Production Artists
My Role
Lead 2D Designer
Production Manager
Production Artist
Timeline
15 weeks
Deliverables
Style Guide
Elevations
Attractors
Indoor and outdoor way-finding signage
Exhibition signage: vinyl lettering (section headers and quotes,) banners, IDs and extended IDs.
Sketches
I sketched and planned in my moleskin notebook.
Below the title of the exhibit is one of the teens drawings juxtaposed with a photograph of the exterior of The Field Museum facade. She created the drawing specifically for this exhibit.
The staggered treatment of The Field Museum image on the attractor set the tone for image placement throughout the rest of the exhibit.
The six sections are visually delineated using color. Taking the Field: green; Behind the scenes: yellow; Telling Science Stories: Orange; Thinking Critically: blue; Lasting Impact: Red; and Getting Involved: grey.
The last section, Getting Involved was a call to action for teen visitors to sign up for the program.
I designed the iPad sign up screen.
"Museum-exhibit designers have been thinking about the user experience for hundreds of years. Whether you’re staring at a digital screen or a gallery wall, you’ll likely find yourself in the hands of a curator, a writer, and a visual designer, all teaming up to anticipate your every need—and the needs of thousands of visitors who may be nothing like you." - Scott Kirkwood
A blast from the past:
About the exhibition
Follow some extremely cool teens through a hilariously frenetic, scientifically rigorous, totally creative 5-day summer filmmaking experience. Find out how teens talked a scientist into rapping, turned mummification into claymation, and had a Skype call with an ancient Egyptian. This ground-breaking Field Museum exhibition features original storyboards and props designed by youth, as well as real Museum artifacts and the ground-breaking scientific research that teens were allowed access to for their films.
Science, Off Script: Teens Take The Field is a chance to see The Field Museum’s collection and research like never before: through the eyes of teens. You’ll be amazed at the power of amateur film to change your perspective.
The programs featured in this exhibition have been developed in the partnership with The Field Museum and the New Learning Institute of the Pearson Foundation.