The Design of Educational Exhibits

Book excerpt: This is the second and fully updated edition of an authoritative handbook aimed at all those involved in designing educational exhibitions. It lays out guidelines for exhibition design that, for a given cost, will tend to optimize the educational value of exhibitions to their target audience. It offers practical guidance on all aspects of the work, from the planning, administration and evaluation of a large programme of exhibition work down to the selection of media and the design and construction of the single exhibit. It discusses the things that should be thought about and the things that should be done in setting up educational exhibits, paying particular attention to the pitfalls that must be identified and avoided if the work is to be done well. The handbook is essential for all those who are concerned with mounting educational exhibitions, whether they be administrators, designers, educationalists, planners or in specific subject areas. It will be required reading for students following postgraduate courses in museology (museum studies) or similar courses at institutions throughout the world. No special background knowledge is assumed as the readership will be as varied as the skills required to put together and evaluate an exhibition.