Exhibition Design [Hardcover]

David Dernie (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393732118 | ISBN-13: 978-0393732115 | Publication Date: September 17, 2006

A survey of the conceptual themes and practical concerns—display, lighting, color, sound, and graphics—of exhibition design.

Today exhibitions have to compete in an increasingly sophisticated leisure market. Consequently, the way in which the contemporary exhibition is designed is changing fast; previously aloof cultural institutions are making use of technologies and techniques more commonly associated with film and retail. Exhibition-making is now synonymous with image-making, communication, and the creation of a powerful experience. Exhibition Design features examples of a wide variety of exhibitions from around the world, from major trade and commerce fairs to well-known fine-art institutions and small-scale artist-designed displays. The introduction gives an historical perspective on the development of exhibitions and museums, with particular focus on the developments of the twentieth century. The book is divided into two parts: Approaches and Techniques. Approaches is devoted to the conceptual themes of narrative space, performative space, and simulated experience. Techniques covers the practical concerns of display, lighting, color, sound, and graphics. To illustrate these themes the book features photographs, drawings, and diagrams of exhibitions from around the world, including the work of such internationally renowned architects and designers as Ralph Appelbaum Associates, Atelier Brückner, Casson Mann, Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Imagination, METStudio, and Jean Nouvel.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A must-read. A visual pleasure that is also informative, the tome is packed with brilliant ideas about lighting and placement. (Santa Fean)

About the Author

David Dernie is an architect, exhibition designer, and head of the Manchester School of Architecture in England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (September 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393732118
• ISBN-13: 978-0393732115
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #959,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Exhibition Design, October 11, 2006

By 

Designer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Exhibition Design (Hardcover)

I just received the book "Exhibition Design" today from Amazon.

I was very excited to find the title because there are so few books on the
subject of museum exhibition design.

I was however very disappointed with the overall quality of the book. I have
other W. W. Norton books ( Building the Empire State) and I own close to 300
architecture and design books.

I have never been so shocked at the poor quality of the photography in any
of my books. Some of the photos in Exhibition Design book were not
sharp....some where so dark you could not tell what was really going on in
the exhibit...but most seem like they were photographed with a camera phone.

I was even shocked at the poor picture resolution of the Ralph Applebaum
exhibits (blurry non sharp pictures and poorly lit)... I have a couple of
books that cover the same projects and the photos in those books are
wonderful...I assumed that companies like Applebaum send out a specific
press kit with professional photographs.

I guess I have learned that I should always see a design book in person
before buying it on line.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Setting the Stage for Viewing Art, January 13, 2007

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exhibition Design (Hardcover)

There are few sources such as this one - EXHIBITION DESIGN - that share insider thoughts and plans and results of the process of presenting exhibitions in museums. As such it is a welcome addition to the art lover's library, something to ponder when trying to discover why some exhibitions (despite the subject of the curated objects) make and impact while others feel cold and distant to all but the addicted lover of that particular subject.

Architect and exhibition designer David Dernie shares the mechanics and philosophies of current museums, pointing out the current concepts of 'immersion, interaction, and multisensory experiential approach' have moved from the purely entertainment field into the realm of the once rather sterile filed of exhibition design. His thoughts are amply illustrated by architectural renderings and photographs that, while informative, are not of the quality one would expect from a book on museum wisdom! But the elements of psychological significance on how to present art to the public eye to enhance the experience of viewing are sound ones, and in his words 'how objects are arranged will determine the nature of the message they communicate.' Grady Harp, January 07

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top pick for college-level art libraries, February 7, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exhibition Design (Hardcover)

Modern exhibitions have to compete in a fast-changing leisure market and must make use of technology and techniques that in the past have been associated with film and retail worlds. It's all about the experience - and here to address these changing needs is EXHIBITION DESIGN, packed with examples of successful exhibitions from around the world from both trade fairs to fine-art holdings and smaller artist-designed displays. Both history and technique blend in a title which teaches by example and by conceptual review, making it a top pick for college-level art libraries serious about teaching the finer art of successful exhibition processes for artists or museum curators.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch