Museum of South Texas History
Created a visitor guide for The Museum of South Texas History during a 2023 internship, showcasing the museum's key attractions and exhibitions.
Case Study
Client
Museum of South Texas History
Year
2023
Industry
Historical Museum
Services
Editorial
Programs Used
Illustrator
Photoshop
InDesign
Background Information
This was a project that I worked on during my internship at The Museum of South Texas History. I was tasked with creating a comprehensive guidebook for new visitors to use during their tour.
Project Brief
Challenge:
The museum informed me that visitors would commonly miss major exhibits. Most guests only saw about half of what the museum offered. They needed a better way to guide people through the space.
Strategy:
I wanted to create something approachable, not overwhelming. I focused on clear wayfinding and decided imagery should do the heavy lifting to keep people engaged.
Solution:
I designed a comprehensive guide/booklet that breaks down the museum's major attractions into digestible sections. Each spread highlights a different experience. It provides visitors with the information they need as they go through each exhibit.
Design Process
Quick Overview:
This internship project spanned about 3 months. I started by interviewing the museum staff about its history, attractions, and brand goals, then took a personal tour to understand the visitor experience. I found that they offered an incredibly immersive experience with a warm, welcoming personality rooted in South Texas heritage. I wanted the guide book to reflect that same energy, so I used warm earthy tones, approachable typography, and textured backgrounds that felt authentic to the region. I went through 3 rounds of critiques that helped me refine the design and strengthen the brand connection.
Insights & Reflection
This was my first project working with real people. I learned that visitors don't carefully read everything, they're usually distracted or tired, so I designed the guide for quick scanning instead of detailed reading.
The museum tour completely changed my design direction. Actually walking through the space and feeling the atmosphere helped me nail the museum's brand better than any images and descriptions could have.