Filed under: Cultural Heritage
Detroit Goes to War
Okay, we’ve teased you enough with just a few pictures of our latest project! The Detroit Historical Museum opened on November 23, 2012 to great reviews & enthusiasm. Over the next few days, we’ll highlight each new gallery in the Detroit Historical Museum, so you can get a better look at our work. Each gallery we designed had a unique look and feel, giving visitors a unique learning experience around every corner. While we are happy to share our pictures—the best way to experience the Museum is to go there! Admission is currently free, so go ahead and enjoy a visit!
Today, we’re highlighting Detroit: The Arsenal of Democracy. Tucked in the Museum’s upper mezzanine, this gallery space wasn’t originally used for exhibits. We completely transformed this area into an in-depth exploration of Detroit’s role in World War II.
March 20, 2013
Little Syria: An Immigrant Community’s Life & Legacy
Good Design Group worked (once again) with the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. To accommodate a small budget and a big story, we developed a system of free-standing graphic structures with a city-like feel. Rich with images, quotes, text and maps, each interpretive panel interlocks into a tower structure making for easy break down and assembly. Object cases double as shipping crates, and simple interactives help visitors discover the sense of community in Little Syria.
The exhibit open now through April 21, 2013 in Dearborn and will then be traveling to sites in New York, New Jersey, and beyond. The exhibit has already garnered some good press, including a recent article in the Huffington Post, which you can read here.
December 13, 2012
A Historical Overhaul
While its not quite open to the public yet (officially opening November 23, in what should be a grand party. Information Here), Good Design Group would like to share a few sneak-peaks at our latest project! We’ve spent the last 3 years working with the Detroit Historical Museum staff to develop 4 brand new exhibits—Detroit: Arsenal of Democracy; Gallery of Innovation; Allesee Gallery of Culture; and Doorway to Freedom. We also designed renovations to the Museum’s Motor City exhibit and its iconic Streets of Old Detroit (for all the Streets lovers, don’t worry—we didn’t change much!). The entire 55+ year-old facility received extensive upgrades including new paint & carpet, with all interior design by us. Gene Ullery-Smith of Traverse City, MI designed the graphics. Morley Companies of Saginaw, MI fabricated the exhibits, along with some support from Niche Design, of Bay City, MI. Wall Street Productions of Southfield, MI crafted the media and David Goodman kept everything on track as a project manager. More on this project once the doors are officially open!
November 16, 2012
Arab Americans in Service to Our Country
Good Design Group worked with the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan to create two versions of a traveling exhibit: “Patriots and Peacemakers: Arab Americans in Service to Our Country.” This ambitious exhibit tells the stories of about 200 Arab Americans who have served in the Military, Peace Corps, or as Diplomats. Following an innovative format, each featured individual’s story is displayed on an exhibit cube. Visitors are free to pick up cubes and read all sides, creating a very personal opportunity for visitors to interact with the exhibit.
December 16, 2011
Ask What You Can Do for Your Exhibit
After Jen’s successful design for the Ghost Army Exhibit at the Hatcher Graduate Library on the campus of the University of Michigan, Good Design Group was invited to design the temporary exhibit celebrating the 50th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s speech inspiring the creation of the Peace Corps. We were lucky enough to have a wealth of material to work with and the excellent research abilities of Peace Corps Volunteer Kay Clifford.
Recognizing the speech kicks off a full year of celebrations around the country. Unfortunately the exhibit was only up for two months, but you can find most of the information online.
Graphic production by Paragon Display Group / Installation by University of Michigan
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
Community Building in West Africa
Jen traveled to Ghana in the spring of 2009 with a team from the University of Michigan to help develop educational programs for the Nkwantananso Cultural Center. Designed to be "for and by" the people of Techiman, the Center aims to be a space where diverse communities can come together to practice and learn about their cultures.
Working with Ghana National Service members, Jen guided several pilot programs for Nkwantananso. Students got the chance to work on a live archaeological dig, learn about pottery traditions, and share their knowledge through drawings and writing. Local teachers learned about instruction using objects, sites, and other cultural resources.
February 21, 2011
Keeping Cultural Landscapes Alive
Good Design Group was invited to work with the Peavey Group and Red Road Media on the interpretive exhibits at the Olsen House within the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore at Port Oneida.
Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear is a "friend of the park" organization working hard to save the Cultural Landscape of the National Lakeshore. The Olsen House is their HQ and interpretive center. Good Design Group has been asked to help tell the story of the Olsen family, the Olsen house, cultural landscapes and Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.
Yet unrealized
February 21, 2011
Unearthing Educational Ideas
Jen wrote a sample curriculum for the park, which integrates site visits with school activities. Interdisciplinary lessons, tailored for grades 4 through 6, focus on integrating evidence from archaeological digs with Native American perspectives on the past. The curriculum draws on existing interpretive resources, and emerging research on teaching and learning in informal settings.
This is an ongoing project with future work possible.
February 21, 2011
Sex, Gender & Identity: Traveling Exhibit Concept
Sex, Gender & Identity is the first of Good Design Group’s "Sprouts" – our self-initiated exhibits. Currently in development, this traveling exhibit’s goal is to introduce visitors to the wide spectrum of individuals who do not follow traditional gender and sex rules and roles. Working with the LGBT community, Good Design Group has developed a concept for this mush needed exhibit.
Stay tuned, or let us know if you’re interested in helping us grow this concept into a realized educational piece.
February 21, 2011
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