Priceless objects studied by scholars (Neanderthal skulls, the Rosetta Stone) often can’t travel. So we make scientific-quality facsimiles for borrowing. These are “forensic” quality, essentially identical in every detail, worthy of study. …

Here’s a metaphor that’s helped me many times, working with clients: Think of an exhibition as a courtroom. We don’t make neutral spaces. We make persuasive ones. And the evidence we use establishes the credibility of our museum. …

Last time, we discussed “When VR Works.” This time, let’s look at the other side: when it doesn’t. Let me be blunt. Sometimes it works very well, but most often, headset VR is not a good fit for museums. Here’s why: …

VR has moved from a novelty to a useful technique, but unevenly. Some museums report great success. Some find it expensive and operationally difficult. It’s not a debate. Like anything, VR works in some cases and not in others. …

Every failed museum project had a moment when somebody almost asked a “dumb” question. Then didn’t. But should have. And for lack of that question, things went, well, you know. Despite the name, “dumb” questions usually aren’t dumb at all. …

Is your new exhibition object-driven? Or idea-driven? Or is it a trick question, because it’s always “both”? Hm. Museums aren’t the same, yet we lump them all together. Here’s a new (I think) way to think about it: the object/idea spectrum. …

Welcome to Professional Ignorance Week #3. We’re part of a lineage of professions that depend on preserving a novice mindset. So how do we do that? Here are 7 ideas. Depending on your situation, some might be worth considering. …

In Episode #1, we learned about the “curse of knowledge” in museum projects, and one of its antidotes: “professional ignorance.” Are exhibition designers, developers, writers, et al, the only practitioners of this art? Are there kindred souls out there?

Last month’s article on Professional Ignorance generated a lot of mail. One reader wrote simply, “I feel seen.” That inspired this three-parter, a deeper dive, with each article a little longer than usual. Let’s start with the basics. …

What can we do when a display is old and culturally out of date, but we have no resources to refresh it? Many exhibitions have this problem. In some cases, there is a clever temporary way to refresh a display. First, don’t change it. Next …

“Cost per square foot” is a useful ratio. Likewise, “occupants per square foot” and “sales per square foot”. What other “amounts per square foot” could be useful? Here’s one: “words per square foot”. What’s the WPSF on your current project? …

Before they come to our experiences, there is one thing our visitors see a lot of. Glowing rectangles. They’re everywhere. The sheer number is huge, and growing. In less than one day, it would be totally normal for you to experience the following: …

MONIQUE: [Chewing] This free cheese isn’t bad. Museums should give out more free cheese. Free cheese never fails. PHIL: [Stops chewing] Uh, what? MONIQUE: Metaphorical cheese, I mean. PHIL: Uh oh, here we go. …

In ancient times, shortly after life emerged from the sea, movies came on DVDs. “Special collector’s editions” had a second disk with “extra” content. We often treat our interactive media experiences like that second DVD. …

Vast sums are raised to create new museum buildings. Vast sums that are often greater than the value of our whole collection. So why do we ask our architects to make black box galleries inside, to make the building disappear? …

PHIL: My client’s exhibition of rare letters isn’t working. I’m supposed to fix it! MONIQUE: Not working? PHIL: Their rare letters are handwritten in a foreign language nobody can read. So they added labels. But now the labels just look like more letters. …

Subject-matter experts (SMEs) base their careers on knowledge of the subject. But everyone else should base their careers on ignorance of the subject. Your professional ignorance of the subject parallels what visitors will feel. …

Douglas Flandro (Exhibition Designer & Director of Sustainability, CambridgeSeven) discusses “What is Sustainable Exhibition Design?” with MtM host Jonathan Alger (Managing Partner, C&G Partners | The Exhibition and Experience Design Studio). …

Shared worries are a powerful thing to have in common. That old “enemy of my enemy is my friend” thing and all. But our shared joys are just as powerful. Here’s my list of the top ten joys I bet we can all be thankful for (and Happy Thanksgiving): …

It’s Thanksgiving Week in the US, meaning no newsletter on Thursday. Today, a top ten list of the worries I bet we all have in common. Tomorrow, a top ten list of the joys we all share. It’s Thanksgiving, after all. Here’s the worry list: …