Museum exhibition design

Many museums in Poland can boast modern and attractive permanent exhibitions that draw both local residents and tourists from all over the world. Professional exhibition design is a key element in the success of such undertakings. An exhibition design, especially one that includes multimedia displays, requires precise planning and attention to every detail to give visitors an unforgettable experience.

Creating an exhibition that tells an interesting story and engages a variety of senses is a challenge, but at the same time it offers an opportunity to enrich the cultural experience with modern technologies. Multimedia exhibitions are becoming the standard in museology, combining a traditional approach to presentation with innovative solutions that inspire and educate audiences in a unique way. Over the last 20 years, a great many multimedia museums have been created, offering interactive experiences such as projections, touch stations and mobile apps. As a result, visitors can not only look at exhibits, but also interact with them.

> At New Amsterdam, we know that designing museum exhibitions is the art of conveying stories through space. It is a complex process in which we combine various disciplines to create immersive experiences for guests.

What is Museum Exhibition Design?

For us, the process of creating an exhibition, especially for multimedia museums, goes far beyond simply arranging exhibits. It is a comprehensive process of building a story in space that engages all the senses. Our approach is universal design, which assumes full accessibility of the exhibition space.

Exhibition narrative: how to tell stories

Whether it is the design of a main exhibition or one intended for a temporary exhibition space, we start with a deep understanding of the subject matter and of the expectations of the exhibition curator and educators regarding the educational goal. Our method assumes that the first stage is designing the type of information to be conveyed – for us, the exhibition is a medium. A well-thought-out exhibition narrative is the foundation of successful communication.

Exhibition script: structure and target groups

The next element of comprehensive exhibition design is developing the exhibition script. Depending on whether we are planning a multimedia museum or a traditional exhibition, at this stage we specify the content issues consistent with the narrative and educational goals, and then assign the information to specific media. In line with the principles of universal design, at this stage we adapt the communication of information to all types of target groups, making sure that the intended message of the exhibition is presented in all dimensions: print, films, audio and interactions.

Museum exhibits: selection and presentation

Depending on whether our exhibition has a wide selection of exhibits or rather a limited number, the design process must take into account their use in the most diverse forms. Museum exhibits often become the narrative axis and the main protagonist of the designed exhibition or, quite the opposite, complement it, often in the form of replicas. Nevertheless, it is impossible to imagine a museum exhibition without at least one exhibit, as any exhibition curator will confirm.

Content, i.e. the substantive material

At New Amsterdam, we are not fans of the term “multimedia”. It often has a slightly pejorative ring and is sometimes received reluctantly by some exhibition curators. Yet multimedia is nothing more than films, animations, music or texts – elements we know very well and without which it is hard to imagine modern life. We use them every day, so why not include them in exhibition narratives? The key, however, is to design these solutions properly, especially in the case of narrative exhibitions.

At this stage, in addition to substantive and educational content, we also focus on the form of presentation. We select the right formats to best present the material. These may be printed materials, films, multimedia presentations, interactive games, audio guides, immersive sound experiences, mobile apps, virtual guides, VR and AR technologies, as well as holograms. All of this is aimed at creating modern, engaging exhibitions that capture attention and leave a lasting impression.

Audiovisual and IT systems

The exhibition design stage covering audiovisual and IT systems is crucial for creating a modern, interactive museum space. At this stage, the appropriate technological solutions are selected, such as control systems, interactive touch monitors, multimedia projectors or transparent monitors, which allow content to be presented in an attractive way. The design also takes into account the IT infrastructure, including computer networks and servers, to ensure that all devices run smoothly. Carefully designed audiovisual and IT systems are intended to enrich the visitor experience and make the exhibition easier to manage.

Set design and museum display fixtures: functionality and aesthetics

Once the narrative, script and selection of exhibits are ready, we can move on to the exhibition design stage. At this stage, a key role is played by museum display fixtures, which must not only serve a practical function by ensuring the stability and safety of the objects (requirements of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and NIMOZ), but also fit into the aesthetics of the entire exhibition (set design). Well-chosen display fixtures highlight the qualities of the exhibits, help organize the space and influence how visitors perceive the exhibition. Designing display cases, built-in structures, exhibition walls or furniture for audiovisual equipment requires experience and knowledge of many aspects of exhibition production. This applies in particular to the analysis of materials that will come into contact with the exhibits.

Types of exhibition designs and detailed documentation

We usually divide the process of designing an exhibition space into several stages.

Concept design: from idea to vision

The initial phase, which defines the exhibition narrative, the preliminary script and the educational assumptions. Museum exhibition concepts are an element of comprehensive exhibition design and a preliminary arrangement of the exhibition space. The concept design must also include a detailed text description setting out exactly what will be on display and how the visitor routes will run. At a minimum, it should include a list of stations, key information points and the anticipated interactions between visitors and exhibits. Such a description allows for a better understanding of the overall concept of the exhibition design.

Detailed design: documentation and production

The detailed design of a museum exhibition is a comprehensive document containing all the information needed to produce the exhibition. It includes detailed solutions in the fields of architecture, interior design and set design that create a space integral to the narrative. It covers graphic design that ensures visual consistency and appeal, an innovative approach to interaction design, and advanced multimedia systems that enrich the message. The whole is complemented by carefully chosen lighting and sound that build the right atmosphere. Such a design provides a solid basis for the efficient installation of the exhibition.

Shop drawings

Shop drawings are not a key element when an exhibition is created in “Design and Build” mode. In this model, the main emphasis is on a comprehensive approach, where design and production are part of one coherent whole. Nevertheless, shop drawings are sometimes advisable, especially when a public contract is divided into separate design and construction stages. This is particularly useful when designing an exhibition for a science center, where innovative solutions and interactive elements require careful planning and verification of their functionality at earlier stages.

We design museum exhibitions of various types

Permanent exhibitions: durability and consistency

Designing an exhibition is a process that requires special attention and commitment, because the goal is to create a space that will be durable and attractive for many years. It is crucial to select the right materials to ensure durability and aesthetics, and to develop a coherent narrative that will interest visitors. Permanent exhibitions should be interactive, engaging and tailored to different audiences, while reflecting the character and mission of the institution in which they are presented. A well-designed permanent exhibition is not only a display of objects, but also an invitation to reflection, discovery and learning.

Temporary exhibitions: flexibility and change

Almost every museum has a temporary exhibition space. Organizing museum exhibitions in such a space requires almost the same exhibition creation process as for a permanent exhibition, but usually with a smaller budget and in a shorter time. Such exhibitions provide an opportunity to experiment with various aspects of exhibition design, modern solutions, subject matter, and ways of engaging visitors. Thanks to their temporary nature, they allow greater flexibility in the choice of content and make it possible to respond quickly to current trends or events.

Interactive exhibitions: engaging visitors

Interactivity does not always mean creating a multimedia exhibition. The best example is science centers, whose educational exhibitions are often full of modern interactive solutions, but ones that use mechatronics.

Outdoor and mobile exhibitions, educational trails

Multimedia exhibitions are not our only specialty. We also create unique outdoor and mobile exhibitions (including educational trails), adapted to various locations and conditions. Regardless of the location, the key elements of an exhibition remain unchanged: the story and the effective communication of information.

Immersive exhibitions: enriching the visitor experience

We use immersive technologies to create multisensory experiences. An exhibition should include modern solutions, e.g.: 3D mapping, films, animations, sound.

Let's Work Together

If you dream of an exhibition that goes beyond standard forms of presentation, we will help you. Contact us to discuss how together we can create an exhibition that will not only inform, but above all inspire and engage.

At New Amsterdam, we don't just design exhibitions – we create spaces that tell fascinating stories. Let us turn your vision into reality.

Contact us