IMCC 2022 Conference

It was fascinating to hear about a number of up-and-coming European museum projects and the challenges they’ve faced working on what are typically one-off projects with large and complex client organisations and design teams. A couple of key themes that were particularly pertinent to our role as design managers…

Managing stakeholders:

Key learnings for successfully managing stakeholders:

• Making sure each stakeholder is aware of how their role and input fits into the wider picture.

• Take time at the start of the project to carefully plan out the timing and frequency for engaging with the multitude of user experience groups – then consolidate the plan as much as possible so that it’s clear and easily accessible to all.

• Make time to incorporate a peer review process by external museum specialists. This is a great way of ensuring the project is delivering what you intended to at the outset.

Collaboration between architects and exhibition designers:

Key learnings for optimising the integration of architecture and exhibition designs:

• However, what is clear is that for the process to stand a chance of obtaining the best results, both parties need to be aligned in their understanding of the client’s vision for the project, open to each other’s approach and ideas, and acknowledge the times when you need to give as well as take.

• If the exhibition(s) is not designed in parallel to the architecture, then a reasonable amount of overlap between the two design processes should be allowed for. Ideally the architect should be retained in the project post completion of their typical role to review and input into the exhibition design process.

• Often the design of commercial offers in museums is commissioned separately, but for a truly holistic experience for the visitor, this needs to be considered in parallel.

Plan A regularly advise on the timing of engaging specialist designers in museum projects and support in identifying and setting up design teams.