The International Handbooks of Museum Studies

Developing experiences: creative process behind the design and production of immersive exhibitions

“…The five phases, which structure and explain the findings, offer some new insights into the creative process, while at the same time substantiating some of Dean's (2015) remarks regarding the phases identified in his study of museum exhibitions. More specifically, the concept and production phase are evident in both studies, whereas the design and opening phases contain activities that resemble Dean's planning and development, and functional and presenting, respectively.…”

“…The map (Figure 1) is a response to the challenges of bridging the gap between expert knowledge and audiences; it highlights the intertwinement of content, concept, context and narrative that guide the exhibition design process, and acts as a preliminary approach to exhibition design (Lake-Hammond and Waite 2010). Dean (2015) explored (what he calls) the ideal process behind exhibition development. Arguing that a clear focus on the development process can enhance all outcomes, Dean identifies five distinct design phases: conceiving of concept, planning and development, production, functional and presenting phase, followed by assessment stages (Dean 2015).…”

“…Dean (2015) explored (what he calls) the ideal process behind exhibition development. Arguing that a clear focus on the development process can enhance all outcomes, Dean identifies five distinct design phases: conceiving of concept, planning and development, production, functional and presenting phase, followed by assessment stages (Dean 2015). Dean's model draws on his personal work experience and established practice in the field of museum project management, which, he argues, is understudied in academic literature.…”

“…Dean's model draws on his personal work experience and established practice in the field of museum project management, which, he argues, is understudied in academic literature. He proposed that each of the stages is composed of product-oriented, management-oriented, and administrative activities (Dean 2015). Finally, Dean also acknowledged that this linear model can be somewhat idealistic, when in reality a holistic approach that blends the margins of the separate phases reflects the process more accurately.…”

“…According to the findings, the involvement of a wide range of experts in the creative process is integral for the design and production of immersive exhibitions. Thus, the present study offers an alternative account to Dean's (2015) by showcasing the progression of the five phases and the division of the necessary activities between the museum and the design and production team.…”