Breaking with stereotypical scientific laboratory secrecy, the Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories will welcome the public into its new facilities.
As part of the team at Upland Exhibits, I designed a set of exhibits for their new lobby to inform people of the critical work the laboratories perform, spark interest in future generations of public health workers, and communicate the innovative history of Kansas’ public health.
Three exhibits designed for one specific space
Layers of eye-catching graphics ranging in size break up content into digestible chunks. Interior design elements from the building such as cherry wood slats and paint colors were tied into the exhibits for a cohesive experience. Clear printed panels continued the modern-feel of massive glass windows spanning the lobby and tall graphic panels reach upwards, gesturing to the vertical expansive of the space. The combination of layered materials and trapezoid forms made for unique accent pieces that still feel at home in the laboratory.
I designed the physical form of the exhibits and visualized them throughout the project to share for review and feedback. I also collaborated with the fabrication team to effectively shape the design intent and hand it off for the exhibits to be built.
The first exhibit portrays KHEL’s positive role in the wellbeing of Kansans every day, from testing every newborn in the state for a plethora of illnesses to detecting water contaminants across Kansas’ 105 counties, An Intoxilyzer on display highlights KHEL’s collaboration with law enforcement to reduce drunk driving. An interactive touchscreen simulates the water testing process from suspected contamination to testing and response.
The next exhibit features notable scientists from years past as well as current duties at the lab, highlighting the rewarding careers available in public health. KDHE filmed scientists interviews to add a personal connection with visitors.
The third exhibit chronicles the origins of KDHE and Kansas’ rich history of innovation in public health. It all started with microscope. A custom display case paired with an interactive matching game challenges participants to guess the purpose of antique scientific equipment. This brief nod to the past instills a sense of longevity continued advancement and without detracting from the current, modern capabilities of the lab and the department.
Early exploratory sketches
Now that you’ve seen the completed exhibits, here’s a quick throwback to some early visuals that show a few features that made it into the final forms and many that did not. I explored the forms through digital sketches to quickly ideate and compare multiple ideas at the beginning of the project. It’s fascinating to look back and see how it evolved!
