Abstract
The research considers a museums case study and suggests areas for
improvement in the way design is managed in the context of cultural brands.
Furthermore, it places design research and knowledge in the realm of cultural
organisations and justifies its role in carrying out stronger projects, and
achieving brand consistency and, ultimately, success.
More specifically, the study involves interviews with senior managers, senior
curators, designers/design managers, project managers, the director of
marketing, and a researcher at a large UK-based museums group (comprising
ten galleries, museums, archives and archaeological sites).
It concludes that in the cultural industries there are two general concepts of
design:
a) Design is the planning and coordination of various aspects of the project that
lead to a particular focus, and therefore better branded exhibitions, and other
cultural products.
b) Design contributes to the development of an identity and shared vision
among the stakeholders of an organisation or project.
Finally, the author makes some practical suggestions from a design research and
management point of view. For example: Design knowledge and research should
transcend the boundaries of marketers and designers, which are the two professional specialisations most familiar with them. Project managers and curators also make decisions and impact design and brand quality because they
first envision the exhibition (think visually), set up the “exhibition problem”, specify the design brief, collaborate with designers and manage design knowledge in the context of creative projects.
Generally, the paper introduces principles that enhance understanding of the impact of design in conjunction with branding.
improvement in the way design is managed in the context of cultural brands.
Furthermore, it places design research and knowledge in the realm of cultural
organisations and justifies its role in carrying out stronger projects, and
achieving brand consistency and, ultimately, success.
More specifically, the study involves interviews with senior managers, senior
curators, designers/design managers, project managers, the director of
marketing, and a researcher at a large UK-based museums group (comprising
ten galleries, museums, archives and archaeological sites).
It concludes that in the cultural industries there are two general concepts of
design:
a) Design is the planning and coordination of various aspects of the project that
lead to a particular focus, and therefore better branded exhibitions, and other
cultural products.
b) Design contributes to the development of an identity and shared vision
among the stakeholders of an organisation or project.
Finally, the author makes some practical suggestions from a design research and
management point of view. For example: Design knowledge and research should
transcend the boundaries of marketers and designers, which are the two professional specialisations most familiar with them. Project managers and curators also make decisions and impact design and brand quality because they
first envision the exhibition (think visually), set up the “exhibition problem”, specify the design brief, collaborate with designers and manage design knowledge in the context of creative projects.
Generally, the paper introduces principles that enhance understanding of the impact of design in conjunction with branding.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2015 |
| Event | 11th International Conference of the European Academy of Design - Paris Descartes University, Paris, France Duration: 22 Apr 2015 → 24 Apr 2015 |
Conference
| Conference | 11th International Conference of the European Academy of Design |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | EAD11 |
| Country/Territory | France |
| City | Paris |
| Period | 22/04/15 → 24/04/15 |