Huron County Museum | Ripple Effect
After several years supporting exhibit development through graphic design, photography, and marketing, I was invited in 2020 to lead the development of Ripple Effect, an interactive museum exhibit focused on engaging youth audiences and increasing school visitation. Rather than beginning with artifacts and interpretive text, I adopted a design-first approach, developing the visitor experience before curatorial content was selected. The exhibit was intentionally designed around the interests and learning styles of middle-school students, with exhibit activities created to complement curriculum objectives and encourage class trips. Inspired by the visual style and humour of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the exhibit transformed the gallery into an oversized school locker environment. Visitors were made to feel miniature through the use of enlarged everyday objects and immersive design elements.
Exhibit Features
Results
After several years supporting exhibit development through graphic design, photography, and marketing, I was invited in 2020 to lead the development of Ripple Effect, an interactive museum exhibit focused on engaging youth audiences and increasing school visitation. Rather than beginning with artifacts and interpretive text, I adopted a design-first approach, developing the visitor experience before curatorial content was selected. The exhibit was intentionally designed around the interests and learning styles of middle-school students, with exhibit activities created to complement curriculum objectives and encourage class trips. Inspired by the visual style and humour of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the exhibit transformed the gallery into an oversized school locker environment. Visitors were made to feel miniature through the use of enlarged everyday objects and immersive design elements.
Exhibit Features
- Developed the overall exhibit concept, visitor experience, and visual design direction.
- Created a large-scale immersive environment featuring oversized exhibit elements, including giant thumbtacks, floor graphics, and interactive installations.
- Designed and produced a variety of hands-on activities, including a life-sized board game, colouring stations, paper boat activities, and a sandbox exploration area.
- Developed a custom Plinko-style interactive that was later repurposed for future exhibits.
- Incorporated a dedicated selfie station and photo opportunities to encourage visitor participation and social media sharing.
- Worked collaboratively with curatorial staff, who subsequently developed exhibit content and selected archival artifacts that supported the visitor experience and educational objectives.
Results
- Created an engaging, curriculum-aligned exhibit that appealed to both school groups and general audiences.
- Increased opportunities for hands-on learning and visitor participation throughout the gallery.
- Demonstrated how interactive design and immersive storytelling could be successfully combined with historical artifacts and interpretive content.
- Delivered a memorable visitor experience that balanced education, creativity, and play while supporting the museum’s broader audience development goals.
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