Stories in Space: Design Strategies for Museum Interpretive Materials Effective organization and thoughtful design of text and other didactic materials can help keep visitors from feeling overwhelmed—or under informed—as they try to digest complex layers of information in the museum environment. Join our panelists as they present an overview of the challenges of three varied projects and share concrete examples of tactics used to shape content into engaging, accessible displays and effectively communicate stories in three-dimensional space. This presentation was given by Alan Ransenberg. Moderator: Kitty Connolly, Botanical Interpretation Manager, Huntington Botanical Gardens, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens Presenters: Ann Marshall, Principal, Annex Design Services Alice Parman, Independent Interpretive Planner Alan Ransenberg, Exhibition Designer, The Alchemy of Design Nicole Trudeau, Owner, Squid Ink Design

1. Romance
Precision
Generalization
Alfred North Whitehead

2. Content Drives Design

3. Kealia Pond Na,onal Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

7. to Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
An Oasis for Hawai‘i’s Waterbirds
Ke lia Coastal
Boardwalk
Ke lia Pond
NO Public Access
llc
alchemy of design
Hawaiian coot
ea
y
‘ lili
‘Auku‘u
Hawaiian duck
Since President Theodore Roosevelt designated Florida’s Pelican Island
as the first wildlife refuge in 1903, the System has grown to more than
150 million acres, 553 Na onal Wildlife Refuges and other units of the
Refuge System, plus 37 wetland management districts.
“T
here can be no greater issue than
that of conservation in this country.”
–President Theodore Roosevelt, 1912
Job # / 788
Date / 08/09/11
Version #4
Ke lia Pond Na onal Wildlife Refuge is part of the Na onal Wildlife
Refuge System, the world’s premier system of public lands and waters
set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife, and plants.
© Mike Baird
Quantity / 1
Panel: A4 Orientation
Fonts / Calibri, Honest John,
Bickham Script Pro
Area: Interior
Substrate: TBD
Size: 96” x 48”
© Dan & Lin Dzurisin
Client / Kealia Pond NWR
© Tom Nord
A Chapter in the National Success Story
PMS XXX
Koloa maoli
Black-crowned night heron
SCALE
Wandering ta ler
PMS XXX
Ae‘o
Hawaiian black-necked s lt
Ba
PMS 578
‘ala
PMS 579
M
Restrooms
Parking
PMS 541
Visitor Center
PMS 467
Refuge Boundary
311
14%
.
FD
A4
© Lon & Kathrina Yarbrough
Additional Notes:
ei Rd
PMS 5747
Maui Na onal Wildlife
Refuge Complex Headquarters
and Ke lia Pond NWR
Visitor Center
Kih
PMS 138
rth
PMS 1685
No
© Bob Lewis
Brochure Rack
Approximate
size & placement
alan@alchemyofdesign.com
503 256 9986
, llc
‘Alae ke‘oke‘o
310
Roads
Pueo
Shaded areas are very limited on the Refuge, so make sure
you use sunscreen, wear sunglasses and a hat, and bring
water with you.
You
Are
Her
e
Ke lia Pond
Na onal Wildlife Refuge
Hawaiian short-eared owl
Be sure to go down the road to the Kanuimanu Ponds and
experience the birds in person! Binoculars will give you a
wonderful close-up view.
PRINTED
K lea
Pacific golden plover
Expand your horizons—visit our self-guided 2,200-foot
boardwalk on North K hei Road.
ay
lele Highw
We ac vely manage wetland habitat and remove plants
and animals that didn’t evolve here naturally, helping to
maintain a healthy home for the endangered ae‘o and ‘alae
ke‘oke‘o. In the process, we’re also providing a winter home
for their ‘ohana, their extended family of at least thirty
species of migra ng waterfowl and shorebirds.
Kanuimanu
Ponds
Public Access
Come inside the Visitor Center to learn more about the
birds that make this unique coastal wetland their home.
Moku
Welcome to the wetland home of two na ve
waterbirds—the Hawaiian coot, ‘alae ke‘oke‘o, and the
Hawaiian black-necked s lt, ae‘o. These birds arrived in
Hawai‘i long ago, and have adapted to the isola on of the
Hawaiian island chain. They don’t migrate long distances
like their shorebird rela ves; instead, they make
short-distance flights to wetlands on other islands
throughout the year.
There’s a Lot to See and Do
This proof is provided for your approval of layout, copy and illustration. As colors may vary depending on how you are viewing this proof (digital file or color laser print), all PMS call outs and critical colors will be matched in final production output.
These drawings are the property of the designer. Use only by written permission.
A W arm W elcome
el come

8. ‘Alae ke‘oke‘o
Hawaiian Coot
Yummy
Creepy Crawlies
Awkward but E ec ve. ‘Alae ke‘oke‘o “spla er”
as they make a long, running takeo across
the water’s surface to become airborne.
Ae‘o are carnivores—they only eat the “meat” of ny invertebrates. Their long, thin
bills are the perfect shape for probing in mud. You might also see ae‘o use its bill to
skim for food right on the surface of the water.
Ae‘o eat an occasional fish, but invertebrates are their favorite source of food.
“Mommy, I’m Hungry!” During brooding
me, the fuzzy orange-headed chicks follow
their parents and hide in the vegeta on. The
parents get food and take it to the chicks.
House Hun ng. ‘Alae ke‘oke‘o search for
just the right water condi ons, plants,
and food resources as they choose
a nes ng loca on.
Kicking Compe tor Bu . Have you
ever seen a bird kick-boxing? Watch
an ‘alae ke‘oke‘o during breeding
season! It leans back on its wings,
then kicks at intruders trying to
move in on its nes ng territory.
These drawings are the property of the designer. Use only by written permission.
FD
C4a
Client / Kealia Pond NWR
Job # / 788
Date / 08/05/11
Version #3
Quantity / 1
Fonts / Calibri, Honest John,
Panel:
C4a Body Lang.
Area: Interior
Substrate: TBD
Size: 27” x 35”
SCALE
PRINTED
PMS 100
35%
PMS 477
PMS XXX
PMS XXX
PMS 4665
PMS XXX
PMS XXX
PMS 1955
PMS XXX
Additional Notes:
This proof is provided for your approval of layout, copy and illustration. As colors may vary depending on how you are viewing this proof (digital file or color laser print), all PMS call outs and critical colors will be matched in final production output.
alchemy of design
llc
alan@alchemyofdesign.com
503 256 9986