Museum and Visitor Center Exhibit Planning, Design, and Fabrication Process Flowchart (For full requirements see NPS museum interpretive exhibit planning, design, and fabrication contracts and specifications) The planning and design firm may provide creative and technical ment of specific exhibit elements, and review and direction to insure Pre-Design Schematic Design Production Production Documents Support support during production, including follow-ons to complete develop- adherence to the original design intent. Pre-Design focuses on Design Development Technical drawings and preparing a solid foun- Alternative schemes are All major details of the specifications are com- dation for all work that explored for organizing project are accounted for. pleted, communicating follows, insuring that the both the interpretive con- Design and content are details necessary for po- project is logically struc- tent and physical layout integrated into coherent Acquisition of specialized exhibit content may occur in different ways contractors, requiring other contractors or client staff involvement. tential exhibit fabricators Content tured and its goals are of the exhibits. By the end media presentations. to meet the project’s requirements. Some of these tasks may be beyond The work is time consuming, so it should begin as soon as specific to understand, price, and understood and realisti- of Schematic Design, a Complex media ele- Specialties the capabilities of the primary planning, design, and production requirements have been finalized. begin work on the project. cally attainable. Project preferred alternative has ments requiring further Pre-production plan- team members and stake- been selected and major development are fully ning and design tasks are holders are identified and stories, exhibit elements described. The exhibit’s Original Art AV Artifact initiated and coordinated their roles defined. and presentation tech- physical structure and with the exhibit production Original illustrations, Programs Preparation niques are illustrated and operational characteris- schedule. maps, and photographs described. tics are established. Audiovisual and interactive For organizations with the may be produced under multimedia programs are capability, this work is of- a separate contract or often produced under a ten performed by in-house subcontracted through separate contract. staff. It may be contracted the planning and design if necessary. Building Design Close coordination between the exhibit contractor and the architect is required or fabrication contracts. during design phases to insure that the design of the exhibit space and the exhibits are compatible. Decisions must be made regarding space configuration, lighting, power, and other exhibit/architectural interface issues. Image Custom Acquisition Elements Fabrication Reproducible images Items like models, sculpure, Contract and their use rights may taxidermy, and spe- Award be acquired directly cialty electronics are often by client staff or by the subcontracted through planning and design the exhibit fabricator but contractor. may also be contracted for separately. Post–Award Submittals Production Installation Closeout & Meeting Shop drawings, proofs, and Exhibit structures are Shop Exhibit elements are Warranty samples are submitted by fabricated, graphics are Inspection delivered to the site in as Important media resources the contractor for approval. printed and mounted, complete a state as possible acquired to create exhibit Regular communication equipment is purchased, to minimize the amount of elements are archived dur- The postaward meeting and between the contractor and and all elements of the on-site work. Since installa- ing the closeout period. site visit provide important in- client is critical as details exhibition are integrated tions are costly and labor- New exhibits typically formation and direction to the for most exhibit elements in preparation for instal- All work that can be completed intensive, the contractor include a one-year contrac- exhibit fabrication contractor must be agreed upon prior lation. off-site is finished and set up must carefully coordinate tor’s warranty for defects to supplement the information to shop fabrication to avoid in the fabricator’s shop for the sequence of work so in materials, and workman- in their contract documents. costly rework later. inspection prior to shipment to that delays are minimized. ship. the installation site. Building Construction, Rehab, or Preparation Work Most construction work involving the building struc- However, close communication regarding construction ture, finishes, and utilities falls outside the scope of the details and completion schedules is required between typical exhibit production contract. all parties to insure a successful installation. National Park Service | Harpers Ferry Center August 5, 2014 Museum and Visitor Center Exhibit Planning and Design Process Summary Description (For full requirements see NPS museum interpretive exhibit planning, design, and fabrication contracts and specifications) Pre-Design Schematic Design Design Development Production Documents Production Support Pre-Design focuses on preparing a solid foun- Alternative schemes are explored for organiz- All major details of the project are accounted Technical drawings and specifications are Work in this phase includes creative and dation for all work that follows, insuring that ing both the interpretive content and physical for. Design and content are integrated into completed, communicating details necessary technical support during fabrication of the the project is logically structured and its goals layout of the exhibits. By the end of Sche- coherent media presentations. Complex for potential exhibit fabricators to under- project, including Planning and Design Fol- are understood and realistically attainable. matic Design, a preferred alternative has been media elements requiring further develop- stand, price, and begin work on the project. low-ons required to complete development Project team members and stakeholders are selected and major stories, exhibit elements ment are fully described. The exhibit’s physi- Pre-Production planning and design tasks are of specific exhibit elements, and Fabrication identified and their roles defined. Pre-Design and presentation techniques are illustrated cal structure and operational characteristics initiated and coordinated with the exhibit fab- Support to insure adherence to the project’s includes pre− and post− contract award and described. Schematic Design includes are established. Design Development includes rication schedule. This phase includes these design intent. Specific tasks vary by project phases: two sub-phases: two sub-phases: major tasks: and may include: Pre-Contract Schematic I Design Development I Production Documents I Planning and Design Follow-ons • Scoping study at site (if required) • Content research • Draft DDI content outline (by content group) • PD exhibit drawings • Prepare all design and content revisions - Text titles and descriptions required for production. • In-house team reviews project status : • Resource package I (organized by themes) • PD content & specification package - Graphic layout drafts - Planning documents - Content Schedules and supporting material • Create original graphic content including: • SDI report with design alternatives: - Graphic style, typography, color, finishes - Goals and objectives - Technical Specs/cut sheets for AV equip, lighting, - Original illustrations - Bubble diagrams - Major exhibit elements documented - Budget, schedule, admin. requirements exhibit specialties - Original photography - Written description of exhibit scenes • Draft DDI exhibit drawings - Original and adapted maps • Project scope of work developed - Preliminary sketches • PDI graphic layout package - Detailed exhibit plan; arch. requirements • Provide creative direction to specialty - Class B cost estimates and life-cycle cost goals • Revised material and finish samples • P&D contract is awarded - Content group elevations / visualizations contractors including: • NPS value analysis process (if required) • Class A production estimate and updated life- - Illustrators • DDI comprehensive report cycle cost estimate - Photographers Post-Award - Updated content outline with draft script - Model makers Schematic II - Updated exhibit drawing package - AV and interactive producers • Contractor reviews gov. furnished materials - Material, color, finish sample board Production Documents II • SDII report developing preferred alternative: • On-site orientation and planning workshop - Content outline consisting of scenes and con- Design Development II • Develop completion schedule Fabrication/Installation Support • Identify existing media resources tent groups • Acquire/prepare production scans - Prepare resource package abstract. - Floor plan with scenes and content groups • Review and comment on exhibit fabricator’s identified • Draft DDII content & specification package • Proofread/correct production text • Develop project brief: submittals including: - Conceptual elevations/renderings/ - Content schedules - Project overview, including updated informa- • Prepare production-ready files - Shop drawings visualizations - AV media treatments and equip specs tion and understandings - Samples - Universal design and accessibility approaches - Specialty element reference packages • Revise exhibit drawings/content & - Identify interpretive themes and objectives - Resource