College of Human Ecology Centennial Pop-Up Exhibits
DESIGN IN TIME
My DEA 2203 studio partnered with the College of Human Ecology to create pop up exhibits to tell the story of the past 100 years of our College. Collaborating with a fashion design studio, each group created one pop-up exhibition for nearly each decade since the 1920s. Each exhibit featured a designer chair, dress form with drapery, and a banner each representative of the era. My group focused on the 1940s exploring pre and post WW2 and how the College of Human Ecology contributed to that era.
PROCESS
PROGRAMMING
We researched archival materials, periodicals, and scholarly sources to understand the 1940s’ cultural shifts, wartime impacts, and evolving design trends. This revealed how CHE adapted through innovations in nutrition, textiles, and home economics, solidifying its legacy of improving human lives. We presented our findings to Human Ecology administration through visual narratives and detailed reports, showcasing our design inspiration, historical research, and how key 1940s cultural shifts informed the exhibition's spatial storytelling and material choices.
USER RESEARCH
We conducted user research across Cornell’s campus through surveys, interviews, and observational studies to understand what themes and interactive elements would engage students, faculty, and visitors in a pop-up exhibition. Insights from this research helped us determine optimal locations—high-traffic areas like libraries and dining halls—ensuring accessibility and visibility while aligning with campus movement patterns and engagement preferences
DESIGN ITERATION
We met with the administration to clarify branding guidelines, ensuring our exhibition aligned with the College of Human Ecology’s identity. From there, we developed the exhibition layout, promotional materials, branding, and banners while collaborating with fashion students who designed an outfit inspired by 1940s trends. Through multiple stakeholder meetings, team discussions, brainstorming sessions, and design iterations, we refined every detail to create a cohesive and engaging pop-up experience.
FINAL DESIGN
Our final design was presented to Human Ecology students, stakeholders, administration, and professors, showcasing the culmination of our research and design process. We then installed each pop-up ourselves in Cornell’s Mann Library, ensuring every detail aligned with our vision for an engaging and historically rich exhibition.
