From Research to Spatial Experience
Led the design and execution of a large-scale outdoor exhibition translating over sixty years of LGBTQ+ history in Washington, DC into a coherent public experience.
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Context + Challenge
The project required organizing dense, multi-source historical content across an 18,000-square-foot civic plaza while maintaining narrative clarity, visual coherence, and community trust. Rather than presenting a linear timeline, the exhibition was structured into ten thematic eras, introducing additional complexity in wayfinding, sequencing, and audience navigation.
APPROACH
I defined and implemented a modular visual system and spatial framework using color-coded eras, archival imagery, and interpretive text to unify contributions from historians, photographers, and community stakeholders. I established and enforced clear design principles and layout standards to ensure consistency across panels while preserving the integrity of diverse voices.
Outcome / Impact
The result was a cohesive, accessible exhibition that enabled intuitive wayfinding, strengthened public engagement, and made complex social movements legible within a large-scale civic environment. This approach reinforced trust in the presentation of community-driven histories and demonstrated how design can structure and clarify complex institutional narratives for public audiences.
