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The Master Plan describes what the exhibit hosts will do through its visitor experiences that will specifically address an agreed upon vision. Further, the master plan describes visually how we will deliver important messages through interactive experiences. The Master Plan describes through pro-forma the resources (dollars, talent, competencies and capacity) required to fund and operate the installation over time. We will not just be planning for opening day. We will be planning for the long run.

The successful completion of the Master Planning Phase will provide the ground rules from which all future design decisions will be based. This step consists of three phases:

• Phase One — Preparation and Research

  In an on-site meeting, the consultants will meet with you and other members of the leadership team

• Phase Two — Planning

  A Consultant and KD+P will lead a half-day design charrette including staff and the Master Plan Committee.

• Phase Three — Creating the Master Plan Document

  KD+P will refine the sketches generated in the charrette process, based on the team’s feedback.

KD+P utilizes a unique design charrette process which includes an intensive 2-day workshop where museum stakeholders and experts are brought together to envision new visitor experiences. These meetings will be exciting, fun, and creative sessions in which the project team, museum members, and content experts get together and set the direction for the project at hand. This creative, facilitated discussion provides opportunities for the team to brainstorm and synthesize creative concepts and experiences to meet your vision. 

A consultant facilitates these energized events and, while ideas are generated, two KD+P designers sketch away, conceiving experience components, as well as the overall look and feel, for the new exhibits. These sketches are then shared with the entire group for feedback and consensus. Our goal is for everyone involved to walk away from the working meeting with a clear vision of the set direction of the project. From there, KD+P designers return to our studio to develop concept designs for approval from the project team at the next working meeting.

The key component to our process is our ability to collaborate with you. We understand that everyone has a different understanding of the design process, and we are willing to work together until everyone is on the same page. 

Building off of the design charrette outcomes, the concept design is where we look at all aspects of the experience design on a conceptual level. The deliverables for this phase will be multiple colored illustrations and descriptive text that will be assembled into an exciting document and will give potential funders a clear and concise vision of your new and exciting attraction.

In this phase, we develop the experience, exhibits, and environment by dissecting each individual component. Mechanical type drawings are used to put everything into a scale. We explore options for materials and finishes for all elements. At this point, we also refine exhibit development through prototyping and front-end evaluation. A graphic look and feel for labels, signs, and the overall environment takes shape in this phase. Depending on the project, a digital or physical model will be constructed toward the end of this phase, helping everyone see how all the environments and exhibits work together.

In this phase, all details for every environmental and exhibit component are completed. All materials, finishes, and paint colors are specified. Final design of all the graphics are completed and approved. Exhibit development is as complete as possible and will pick up again during fabrication for testing and additional evaluation. Education development will be continued with label writing and the authoring of an interpretive plan on the many ways the experience can be utilized.

Graphic design works in tandem with the exhibit developers and educators throughout all phases for content development and label writing. Content, labels, illustrations, photos, and production materials and techniques will all be identified on a master graphic matrix. This will be the gatekeeping document that will evolve as the design progresses.

Finally, we are involved with you and your team all the way from the design charrette until the exhibit grand openings. This phase keeps us closely connected with you and the design/build fabricator. We will review shop drawings, prototypes, fabrication progress, and oversee installation and setup of the entire experience. We will act as your representative to assure the educational content and the experience design intent is carried out completely to make the grand opening a grand success.

KD+P will coordinate and assist in creating budgets and schedules with the local architects of record and all the engineering disciplines such as Structural, MEP, and Civil. We will also coordinate with any Interior, Lighting, or Media Designers that may be involved in your project. We will also coordinate their install work with that of the experienced fabricators to ensure a smooth process. We will also be available on site during installation to address any questions or issues that may arise throughout the process. 

KD+P will be there for you from the beginning through the completion of your project.