A good sized, carefully selected photo can instantly provide a focus for an exhibition space. The image must be connected with the exhibition theme and not be ornamental. According to Smithsonian guidelines, a good image composition can capture the audience’s attention in a scene and good photography presents a person or a subject clearly.
Use the best photo close to the entrance, on a main wall or any good line of sight. Leave sufficient space around it for other displays not to vie for attention. Big images may also help visitors to comprehend the subject prior to reading the detailed text.
Preview the picture at the actual size before printing. The image you see on a computer screen may not look as crisp when enlarged. Remember to verify the copyright and photo credit before reproducing photos for public display.
In This Article:
Build a Clear Visual Story Across the Space
Good exhibition design isn’t simply a collection of attractive images. Each image should convey information to the viewer about the exhibition and how one section relates to another. Exhibition design is an art form that combines artifacts, labels and imagery to tell a story to the public, according to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
First, break the exhibition into a few well-defined themes. It is possible to arrange pictures into categories such as:
- Time period
- Location
- Person or subject
- Process or event
- Main idea
Assign definite positions to each group in the room. Use large photographs to open up a section and smaller photographs to give details. Short captions should be placed near enough to the image to which they are related for the visitor to grasp the relationship between the image and the caption without looking around the room.
This also assists in the movement of visitors. The Smithsonian has recorded exhibitions that utilized measured layouts and full-scale mockups to experiment with the positioning of objects, photos and labels prior to installation.
As much as you might think, readability is important as well. New research undertaken by the museum to improve accessibility has revealed how text size, typography and colour contrast are important to the ability for visitors to read information from a working distance from the museum’s displays.
Combine Photography With Physical Display Elements
Photography becomes more effective when it works with the physical structure of the exhibition rather than sitting alone on a wall. A large image can introduce a section, while panels, objects, captions, and other display elements provide the information that visitors need next.
One practical option is to combine printed photographs with framed panels or fabric graphics. Custom SEG frames can provide a clean structure for large fabric graphics while keeping the visual surface consistent across several sections. This can be useful when an exhibition needs strong images but also requires a display system that can be assembled as part of a larger layout.
Height and depth also matter. A wall photograph can create a visual background, while a freestanding panel or display case can bring related material closer to visitors. Smithsonian exhibition designers have used mock-ups to test the position of objects and labels before installation, showing why layout should be checked at full scale rather than judged only from a drawing.
Lighting needs equal care. The Smithsonian notes that exhibition lighting must balance visibility with the protection of light-sensitive objects. Its accessibility guidance also recommends enough light on labels and circulation routes while avoiding glare and sharp changes in light level.
A useful display can therefore combine three layers:
- Photography to attract attention and establish the subject.
- Physical displays to provide depth and context.
- Short text to explain what visitors are seeing.
Test these elements from several points in the room before the exhibition opens. If a panel blocks a photograph, a caption is hard to read, or visitors naturally stop in a narrow passage, adjust the layout. Exhibition design is not only about how the space looks in a plan; it is also about how real visitors see, read, and move through it.
Use Light to Improve Photos and Display Graphics
Photographs, printed panel or graphic can alter the viewer’s perception of light. The lack of light may cause the loss of detail and good glare may make it hard to read the text. Therefore, lighting should be designed to accommodate the display, not vice versa.
Look for the entry points for natural light in the exhibition space first. The light can reflect on framed pictures and also may influence light susceptible products. This is especially important when the Smithsonian suggests controlling light levels because some museum objects can be harmed by too much light over too long a period of time.
With printed graphics use even light on the entire surface. The uneven brightness can make one image shot look stronger than the others. Directional fixtures are suitable for certain photographs, but for larger panels, wider light sources can offer more uniform illumination.
Walk the room from a variety of angles before opening. Look at the pictures from the visitor’s viewpoint, not the lighting angle. If the reflections, dark corners or strong shadows are apparent, change the fixture position.
Create a Strong Photo Area for Visitor Interaction
A dedicated space for photos can provide a natural stopping spot for visitors to take photos and share their experience. It doesn’t have to be a complex issue. A large picture, branded wall or well-planned graphic can be the best way to give the wall background without cluttering the area with superfluous objects.
The background should be related to the exhibition. It might appear as an arresting photo from the collection for a photo exhibition. It could employ the name of a brand, a logo or a key visual for a business exhibition. Maintain as level an elevation of the key elements as possible for standing visitors and photos.
The spacing of the photo area is as important. Visitors require sufficient space to be able to stand without obstructing the main walkway. Exhibit accessibility also emphasizes accessible pathways and spaces for visitors with varying disabilities.
A QR code can be an extra layer. It could be a link to an artist profile, exhibition details, a product page or more pictures. Label the code with a short name to help visitors understand what they will be sent when they scan the code.
Check the area by using a real phone camera before opening. Look at the image from multiple angles and under actual lighting of the show. Balance the background with a dark subject or other background if there is one, so that the text is readable, before visitors come.
Keep the Visual Design Consistent From Entrance to Exit
The consistency of the visual system helps to make it known to visitors that various displays are part of the same exhibition. Each wall graphic, caption, sign and panel may have the same colors, font, image style and/or graphics, but not be identical.
Use a limited number of design guidelines — for example, a defined font and color palette, a consistent caption style, and standard positions for logos and section titles. Then apply those rules across the entire space.
Updates are also facilitated by consistency. A clear design system provides the new graphic with a similar basic structure to the rest of the exhibition if a replacement is necessary. The outcome appears well organized, not put together out of order.
