BRIEF 04: MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD//MUSEUM REBRAND//OUGD603

museum branding.
I really like this exhibition design and signage by Nuno Gusmao and Pedro Anjos.  I think in terms of detail and design its to a really high standard, obviously suiting the subject matter, its appropriate and visually appealing.  A lot of attention to detail within the illustrations and the design is consistent throughout the exhibition.

Museu de Ciência e História Natural, 2012, Lisboa, Portugal
Environmental, Wayfinding and Permanent Exhibition 

Client: Universidade de Lisboa

Partners: Site Specific
Design director: Nuno Gusmão, Pedro Anjos
Designers: Joana Proserpio, Mário Videira, Vanda Mota, Giuseppe Greco

Photos: João Morgado, RGFA

Communication project for the Natural History and Science National Museum in Lisbon. 

This project consisted in the “reinvention” of the museum space, and also in the development of a signage system and graphic communication to promote exhibitions and events. The exterior signage consists of two three-dimensional outdoors in the façade, that are covered with images, suggesting the contents of the museum at distance. In the entrance, there are smaller panels (adapted to the scale of the pedestrian) that give more details about the museum. Inside the building, the main goal was to simplify the space and improve it's perception by the visitors. This was accomplished by demolishing old obstacles, recovering the spaces and reorganizing the artificial illumination, along with the implementation of a new signage system. Painting the ceilings of the circulation corridors was a simple and cost effective way to make them distinctive, along with the correct placement of cheap fluorescent lamps. The museum shop was completely “reinvented”, both physically and graphically. 

The space above the museum foyer (in the first floor) was also restructured and a new permanent exhibition about the history of the museum's building was made. For the signage, hanging printed drop papers were applied throughout the corridors (white for directional informations, black for the exhibitions' entrances). Also, some wall graphics indicate the entrance of some spaces (like the bathrooms or the interior garden) and other warnings.

These banners with colourful illustrations work as something possibly a bit more colourful for the exhibition, and even though a similar style to the pencil like drawings, creates a nice contrast in terms of colour for the display.

The general display is organised and constructed in a clear way, still maintaining visual appeal.  I think the detailed pencil style illustrations on the walls of the exhibition really add to the design of the set up and contrasts nicely with the items on display.