Exhibit Display Ideas

An exhibition is more than a showcase. It is a means of communicating the message that you desire to share through artistic rendition. From the containing materials to the flow and feel of a display, there are a wide variety of elements that must be addressed when it comes to design. These are ways to process and communicate emotion and depth through your exhibition.

Display Boxes

The first element to consider is the actual display box for each item. Safety of the objects being presented and of the attendees should be a foremost priority, but not the only one. Be sure to allow people to come as close as possible to items, even If they cannot touch them. Glass exteriors for the boxes help attendees see your entire display. Use lighting close to the object to reduce glare. For less valuable exhibitions, a cardboard box on its side with cleverly labeled articles inside or a table with two to five inch fencing may be used. This will make your exhibition a single unified object while allowing people to closely view and evaluate each item without feeling restricted. These ideas and similar design elements may be found on the Museumscapes website.

Transitioning

Provide good transitions between each display box. Based on the layout of your area, the viewer's attention can easily be diverted. To avoid distractions, use a circular path or hallways that do not intersect with each other. This will keep the viewers on a linear path. Other elements of transitioning include music and color flow. You may link one display to another by using a decorative valance or cloth above the exhibit box, or by painting a map on the walls between each display. Try to keep a similar theme of color, texture or sound throughout the exhibit to show the flow of each specific example toward the overall point you are trying to make.

Promotional Material

Promotional material and information should be created to show off the display and exhibition as a whole. Attendees may take a pamphlet home to remind them of your exhibit. Try not to overload each display with handouts containing too many details. Instead, place important information on slips of paper, flyers or postcards that may be picked up at each box or station. Instead, you may use a single brochure to showcase the entire display and exhibition. The information it contains should be brief compared to the individual fliers, but can promote the exhibition both at the beginning and end. By taking pictures of popular displays and placing these images in the brochure, you will draw more attention to your exhibition.