Filed under: Natural History Musuems
Lakeshore Museum Center: Michigan Through the Depths of Time – Muskegon, Michigan
This small but exciting gallery takes visitors back through 450 million years of Michigan history with three detailed dioramas.
Good Design group teamed with the gallery’s conceptual designer—Chris Malczewski—to take the project through final design. With the tremendous efforts of the LMC’s staff and the scenic genius of Marty Roznowski, the team overcame the fabrication difficulties caused by the demise of Design Craftsmen. The gallery opened in March 2010 to rave reviews from visitors of all ages.
John worked with Chris to install all the fiber optic lighting and the Mastodon fossils.
Fabrication by Design Craftsmen and LMC/Scenic and installation by Marty Roznowski/Murals by The Mural Company
February 21, 2011
Exhibit Museum: Native American Dioramas in Transition — Ann Arbor, Michigan
Jen was asked to assist in creating interpretive materials to help explain why some popular dioramas were going to be removed from the Exhibit Museum. The 50 year old dioramas depicted Native American cultures in miniature form. Useful educational tools, or offensive depiction of Native Americans in a Natural History Museum context? That was the question that Jen and curators addressed in the graphics and visitor feedback station that was created.
As museums move into the 21st century, we see more of these types of curatorial struggles happening, AND the desire to let the public in on the conversation. Bravo!
February 21, 2011
Good Design Group Predicts 6 More Weeks of Exhibits
PHASE I: While still at Design Craftsmen, Jen led the design team to create a fun educational experience at the home of Punxsutawney Phil. The exhibits blend weather science and folklore in the Center’s historical Post Office building. The first phase opened to the public on February 2, 2007. Phase II was expected to get under way the summer of 2007.
PHASE II: Jen picked up where she left off, working with Design Craftsmen to complete the second phase of the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center. This phase included final design for Punxsutawney Phil’s den and Weather Lore.
Fabrication and installation by Design Craftsmen.
February 21, 2011
Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square Graphic System
While working at Design Craftsmen, John was given the opportunity to develop a signage system for the children’s zoo in Saginaw. John specified post-consumer recycled plastic frames and digitally printed outdoor quality graphics to create a unique look. Although the original concept was only for two new exhibits – alligators and otters – the signage is now used extensively throughout the zoo.
Fabrication and installation by Design Craftsmen.
February 21, 2011
