From rendering to reality, families interacting with A Seat at the Table, a pop-up exhibit in which visitors interact with world cultures through food

The design brief was a portable, lightweight pop-up exhibit used to represent world cultures. The exhibit had to be fast and easy to set up, with minimal training on how to do so. It also had to be eye catching to draw crowds at large events, and within the aesthetic of the five primary cultures we were working with - India, China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Mexico.

The original, very rough, concept, was for a modular "frame" made out of MDF and wood that demarcated the exhibit space. Cubes on the end could have display cases embedded in them to house objects, hold up tent poles to create areas to add fabric, or act as seating for visitors who wished only to observe.Those who wished to participate were to go to different stations and explore spices of various cultures using dough and culturally specific objects to mold their own creations.

Quickly, it became apparent the client had several more important ideas not specified in the original brief. They needed a full shade structure to cover the exhibit, fabrics being heavily integrated into the exhibit, and one table, rather then several, for kids to work at. 

Design specs for a round, modular, lightweight, folding table able to seat 16.

Then it was determined the exhibit needed to be more colorful, so a concept for a brightly colored valence was added. I also designed and printed custom made fabrics for curtains that would both add color to the space, and represent the five cultural groups. 

I designed and hand drew this logo. The icons are based around the different spices being used in the exhibit itself.

At the last minute, it was requested banners utilizing community poetry and inviting visitors into the space were added.

A quarter sheet handed out for more information on the exhibit along with a recipe for the spiced play dough used in the exhibit