DREAM STATE DESIGN
exhibitions - visitor experiences - products
Design development
From concept design through to detailed shop drawings for fabrication and installation I focus on providing clearly articulated design drawings and concepts. My design aesthetic is varied depending on the requirements of the client and project. I focus on maintaining high standards, working with fabrication suppliers to ensure quality outputs. Product design including display furniture, kinesthetic interactive design and pop-up museum displays are areas of detail integral to the spatial environment, responding to a clear understanding of the client's value proposition.
Image: Detail from the Tupaia pop-up exhibition, Auckland War Memorial Museum
Example: concept development
I was approached by the director of the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) to develop a series of concepts that responded to Te Puia's aspiration of repositioning the Wānanga precinct as a vital part of Te Puia's visitor experience. At their core my concepts also considered more integrated and flexible spaces for practitioners, students and tutors. I also considered ideas around growth and wellbeing / hauora of the Wānanga. A broad notion around an architectural concept was developed to help support the nuances of this holistic approach and provide a visual platform to support development and discussion with architects and key stakeholders.
Example: Developed / detailed design
This image shows elevations and a 3d sketch of the elevations. These are typically used to update stakeholders on progress and inform fabricators / joiners on key exhibition details such as AV, graphics and any existing parameters. The image on the lower right is the finished installation, the realisation of the sketches and elevations.
Example: unique details
These images illustrate the diversity of bespoke design techniques and where these can be used to assist in explaining intentions or look and feel.
Top: template and instruction for CNC maihi and amo for a space evocative of a whare, and the installed design.
Middle: I took my concept of the torii gate signage structure and made a scale model for testing graphic design and discussing fabrication details with joiners. The photo is the assembled installed design.
Bottom: I built a scale model of the gallery including models of the artworks. The middle photo illustrates the level of work for a high quality paint finish to support the concept of the room as sculpture; the photo on the right includes the artwork the model was based on.
Example: unique details
Object mount supports are an integral part of exhibition presentation. For the tour of the Tuku Iho exhibition to China and Japan the mounts needed to be robust and simple to assemble. I developed a unique mounting system for the diverse group of taonga (treasures) that required different forms of support.
