The Lake Michigan ExhibitLake Bluff History Museum
I was honored to partner with the Lake Bluff History Museum for its wide-ranging 2023 exhibit on Lake Michigan and its relationship with the historic coastal town of Lake Bluff, IL. I spent several months poring over archival photographs and extensive research by exhibit contributors to design a collection of 18 panels that provide an educational and visually arresting showcase for one of Illinois’ defining features. The exhibit received the 2024 Award of Excellence in Exhibits from the Illinois Association of Museums.
Design System Elements
A project incorporating such a variety of visual and written elements needed a cohesive style that remained flexible enough to accommodate them all. I aimed for a fresh and light look with a nod to the town’s long history. The title typography and lined border styles are reminiscent of vintage maritime maps. The borders emphasize sections, connect content groups, and set apart sidebars and quotes. Line art illustrations accent the wealth of photos provided by the museum archives and enhance the sections that lack images.