The Design-Build Process – (1 of 4)
The Design-Build Process – (1 of 4)
August 21, 2009 by Taylor Studios
When embarking on the journey of exhibit design and fabrication, moving from a conceptual idea to a finished product isn’t exactly going from point A to point B. In fact, it’s more like going from point A to point D, with points B and C breaking up the middle.
However, that doesn’t mean exhibit design and fabrication is at all convoluted. If all parties have a good understanding of the steps and stops along the way, moving from point A – Schematic Design into point B – Design Development can happen without a hitch, paving the way to point C – Final Design, and finally point D – Production. That’s not to say there won’t be tough choices to make and lots of work for all parties involved, but if everyone’s on the same page there also won’t be mid-project surprises.
I hope that providing some information about each of our four phases over the next few weeks will help take the mystery out of our process. After all the talk of sandwiches and cookies, not to mention my cliché “journey” analogy (cut me some slack – I’m a project manager!) I’ll give it to you straight.
Schematic Design:
All interpretive exhibits are built on the backbone of the Schematic Design phase. This is the time when projects are researched and the overarching interpretive themes are determined. The exhibit flow, or way we expect visitors to move through the space, is also an important outcome of this phase. How does Taylor Studios come up with the appropriate messages and flow? With our client’s help, of course!
Following an internal orientation to the project, one of the first steps of the Schematic Design phase is to meet with our client. The interpretive planner and another member of the design team will lead a kick-off meeting at the project site. At the meeting, the client’s interpretive goals will be discussed and prioritized, as well as any specific ideas they would like to see incorporated into the project. The design team may also present visual examples to get a feel for the look the client is after. Assuming it’s been constructed, this is also the opportune time for the design team to tour the space.
Following the meeting, the design team gets to work brainstorming. The interpretive planner drafts an outline of exhibit content to include a central theme and sub-themes. The central theme is the main idea visitors will take away with them upon leaving the exhibit. Sub-themes further break down the interpretive content.
Once the content outline is completed, the interpretive planner and exhibit designer determine what would be the best conceptual exhibit flow and come up with a “bubble plan.” The bubble plan is a floor plan that shows how we expect visitors to move through a space, indicates the content to be interpreted in each area, and outlines what percentage of the total project budget we recommend be used in each area.
The content outline and bubble plan are sent to the client. When the client gives the design team a thumbs up, the Schematic Design deliverables serve as the interpretive foundation upon which the rest of the project design will rest.
Stay tuned for more details regarding Design Development, Final Design, and Production…
Posted by: Renee