Things to Remember when Designing a Museum Exhibition
While there are no absolute rules when designing an exhibition, it is important to understand that there are some things to remember if you want to create an impact with and drive success to your exhibit. There are many factors that can affect the overall appeal and function of your exhibition – from the size of your glass display cabinet and choice of lights to the way you curate the items for display.
Use social media and free QR codes to boost your audience reach and possibly create partnerships for the museum you represent.
With that in mind, here are some bits of advice to help you put together an outstanding museum exhibition.
Be unique, try starting with a clean slate
While it is good to start your creative planning with mood boards, compilation of ideas, and research, never underestimate the power of starting with a clean slate. Think about how this project of yours will be unique – how it will present the collection, how it will send a message or tell a story in a unique manner. Do you want your visitors to be fully immersed through an interactive experience? Do you want to focus on a particular sense? Thinking about these things should help you lay the foundation to which your exhibition must be built on.
Don’t try to please everybody
You have to accept the fact that you cannot always please everybody. Remember that an exhibition is a creative act, flaws and imperfections make it more real and beautiful. With this in mind, don’t strive to make a perfect exhibition, but a meaningful and memorable one.
When drafting the creative brief, include as well what the project will not be. Targeting a particular audience may also help give your exhibition an editorial edge. This, however, will not always mean other audiences will not appreciate it.
Don’t treat it as a content grid
Exhibition projects start with a solid curatorial input that is converted to messages and exhibit zones through a content grid. Most of the time, however, there is no room left for the creative team to brainstorm on the content and experience. It always helps to look at your content and message from a design perspective – involve play, sensory, story and learning elements. When there is proper planning in the presentation of your content, you can effectively share an experience to be appreciated by your visitors.
Use available modern platforms
The way we present art evolves as much as humanity advances. Consider sharing your exhibition through both traditional and interactive media. This should help give your exhibition subjects deeper value, your project more transmedia storytelling opportunities, and your cause a wider reach and larger audience. Use social media to boost your audience reach and possibly create partnerships for the museum you represent.
Do not overwhelm
All too often, we intend to showcase diversity of subjects, tell a lot of stories, and share too much information. That does not always work for the good. Too much content tends to overwhelm visitors easily. This is especially true when you have limited space to display on. Space is very important in setting an exhibition as it lets visitors breathe and take in all there is to see and experience; allow ideas, messages, and stories to affect and influence them; as well as to tap into the depths of their dreams and thinking. To put simply, do not bombard your exhibit with too much displays and make sure there is plenty of space around.
Planning a museum exhibition is both a challenging and fulfilling task. It requires patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of how you can affect and influence other people through your exhibition subjects. Keep in mind the above-mentioned tips to be able to put together a unique and effective exhibit.
