This is the presentation I developed, and regularly tweak, for my lectures at Harvard on Exhbition Design.

1. Skills for an Exhibit
Designer
Deborah J. Sovinee,
Independent Museum
Professional
Ability to visualize
Sketch
Know how to build things
Ability to work with a team
Knowledge of materials
CAD drawing or drafting
Ability to translate abstract
concepts into physical reality
Presentation of ideas

2. Stay Current!
Read Trade magazines
Keep current on latest technology
Go to conferences, check out these organizations:
ASTC Assoc. of Science-Technology Centers),
AAM (American Assoc. of Museums),
NEMA (New England Museum Assoc.).
SIGGRAPH - Int’l Conference and Exhibition on
Computer Graphics & Interactive Techniques
SEGD (Society for Environmental Graphic Design),
USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council)
Think Sustainable design

3. Getting an
Idea

4. PROJECT
Playing by the Rules
Fishtank sketch
CLIENT
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE DESIGNER
D. SOVINEE

5. Virtual Fishtank
Finished exhibit with visitors

6. Playing by the Rules
Schematics

7. Fireflies Interactive
Out of the welding shop and onto the floor

8. Playing by the Rules & fishtank area divider
Sketch to CAD drawing to finished installation

9. Sharing the
Vision is Not
Always Easy

10. Project Team
Members
Project Manager
Exhibit Designer
Content Developer
Graphic Designer
Technical Designer
Education Liason
Shop Rep
Maintenance Rep
Sometimes:
Accessibility Consultant
Scientific Expert
Reps from other areas:
Visitor services, security, conservator, marketing

11. The Visitor
Experience
Exhibit designers
protect the exhibits but
also create a positive
experience for ALL

12. Universal
Design:
definitions
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
MEANS SIMPLY
DESIGNING ALL
PRODUCTS, BUILDINGS,
SPACES, AND
EDUCATIONAL ELEMENTS
TO BE USABLE BYALL
PEOPLE TO THE
GREATEST POSSIBLE
EXTENT.

13. Universal Design in Museums: Hear, touch, smell,
taste, see

14. As much as possible is accessible, touchable, and
therefore better for everyone

15. Content developer Goes berserk
How much information is too much?

16. OBSERVATION SHEET FOR
MAPPING THE COAST (BEAD CHAIN LOOP)
Date: Time of day: Time spent:
Visitor Information: #M___ Ages ___ / #F ____ Ages ______
Group type: Kids only Ì cx vtsƒ Ì
qw q 3 rhq txË
` ƒ fÌ Ì
Prototyping
Fb q Ì
gtt txË
f Ì Bw Ì
gd XXXXXXX
Bavd `wt 6 tÌ w
Ìy h s se r` h
ts
1t w y v t v…
gd h hwÌ v b t r
pdw e `Ë
g
Ì Look a the labe
t l
r
Visitor Observation
Read the labe out loud
l
r Look a island through view slot?
t
r Playedwith beadchain?
r Started making a map?
r Make it all the way around?
r Look a the island from the top:
t
- before trying to draw it?
- after trying to draw it?
r Press button to stop motion?
r Talk abou the a
t ctivity
What they say…

17. Interactive Prototypes
Various stages

18. Maintaining the Exhibit

19. “Models” exhibit
Magnet board solution

20. “Green Trails”
Prototype and installation at Cambridge City Hall Annex

21. Developing a Vision
Research
Sketches
Input from visitors,
clients,team
members,
marketing, etc.

22. Quest for Immortality
Initial Sketch to Installation

23. Exhibit Concept Drawings
Mixed media

24. Sketches, storyboards, materials
various projects and proposals

25. Exhibit Design
Independent vs. In-house
Knowledge of business vs. knowledge of only museums
Client and visitor vs. just visitor
Higher pay and less job security vs. lower pay and more
job security
Regarded as expert vs. as staff
Out of pocket expenses high (conferences, etc.) vs. perk
of the job
Harder to access expertise vs. in-house experts
Greater independence and control vs. less say in
projects, etc.
Time is flexible but 24/7 vs. mostly set hours