Creating Exhibitions: Collaboration in the Planning, Development, and Design of Innovative Experiences

Abstract

"A rich and detailed description of the team approach to creating museum exhibitions. Janet Kamien and Polly McKenna-Cress were pioneers in developing this successful approach, and their experience, wisdom, and humor shine through on every page. A must-read for anyone involved in museum exhibitions." —Kathleen McLean, Principal, Independent Exhibitions "This book is like having a personal mentor by your side during every step of the exhibition process. The authors have written a book that is concise, insightful, practical, and friendly—just what you need during a complex and often tense process." —Elaine Heumann Gurian, Senior Consultant, The Museum Group Exhibition design involves numerous disciplines, variable physical and intellectual content, and the goal of enabling visitors to understand and enjoy complex topics more completely. It is a necessarily collaborative and multilayered process. Creating Exhibitions is the first guide of its kind: a one-stop resource that integrates the design process with content development to deliver a comprehensive program for conceiving, designing, and installing exhibitions.

Structured around the key phases of the exhibition creation process, this team-oriented guide covers the entire project duration and offers problem-solving techniques supported by useful examples of how each solution was strategically applied. It offers this critical information in the context of a collaborative design process, speaks to a broad range of stakeholders in any exhibition project, and encourages innovation in every aspect of planning, development, and design. Both comprehensive and closely detailed, this one-stop manual: Delivers in-depth coverage of current thinking and research in exhibition design along with case studies that illustrate how the process was applied Includes exercises and experiments that provide hands-on experience with different concepts and approaches Features contributions from leading exhibition and museum professionals from all levels, offering multiple points of view for achieving collaboration and innovation Creating Exhibitions is an indispensable resource for professionals and students in architecture, graphic design, environmental graphic design, industrial design, digital media, lighting and theater, interior design, and landscape architecture. It is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to become not just a practitioner, but also an innovator in this fascinating and rewarding field.