Wole O. — Martha Chase Exhibit

What

From January 30th to July 28th, 2024, the Barry Art Museum at Old Dominion University hosted an exhibition celebrating doll designer Martha Jenks Chase. To support outreach and visitor engagement, I developed an 8.5 x 11 tri-fold brochure, an exhibit map, a poster, and a logo that captured the spirit and significance of Chase’s work.

The brochure’s full exterior spread.

The brochure’s full interior spread.

Why

The project aimed to support the exhibition’s mission of honoring Martha Chase and educating visitors about her impact on the doll industry. It was essential that the materials communicated her legacy in a clear and engaging way for museum visitors.

How

I developed a unified visual system across all deliverables, incorporating research on Chase’s work to guide design decisions, with a focus on historical context to enhance the overall exhibition experience.

Process

During the project’s development, I visited the exhibition to observe the dolls and layout, which influenced the initial sketches. I also researched Martha Chase’s background to align the tone, which initially leaned toward a heritage feel but later shifted to a more buoyant, contemporary style. I then established the visual tone through colors, typefaces, and decorative elements.

Sketches

Initial rough sketch from the first exhibition visit, featuring an early map key that covers most elements.

Sketch of a refined map layout, excluding object positions.

Rough sketches of the logo for the brochure’s exterior right panel, inspired by the displayed dolls and their distinctive headgear, with concepts evolving from sunbonnets to various straw hats.

Sketch of the final logo design.

Color

Green was chosen as the primary color due to its strong association with fashion and apparel in the 1900s, a period when it symbolized renewal. This choice not only recalls memories of that era but also aligns with the project's goal of capturing the timeless appeal of vintage fashion.

The application offers two distinct color options: Frutiger Aurora for light mode and Frutiger Dark for dark mode, each

designed to set a unique tone. Frutiger Aurora draws inspiration from the cool blues of Windows 7 wallpapers to create

a serene atmosphere, while Frutiger Dark is influenced by the deep blacks of Windows Vista Ultimate wallpapers for a sleek, bold feel. Together, these options provide users with a visually dynamic and adaptable interface, allowing them to choose the setting that best suits their environment or mood.

A green silk dress.

An art print from the fashion catalog Le Costume Royal.

Components

The combination of flower and circle patterns served as decorative elements, adding a lively tone to the brochure. These motifs enhance visual interest and reinforce the overall mood of the design.

Typography

The brochure uses three typefaces: Young, Dolly Pro, and Museo Sans. These fonts were initially chosen to evoke a heritage-inspired atmosphere, reflecting classic design elements. Their tones were then adjusted to balance tradition with modernity.

Drafts

Draft of the brochure's interior right panel.

The planned listing of paintings and wall text was omitted, as they were deemed less important than the dolls, which are central to the exhibition.

Draft of the brochure's interior left panel.

Cutting scissors were initially included to symbolize a tool used in doll-making but were removed due to concerns that they might suggest the brochure was meant to be cut.

Final Results

Mockup of the brochure’s full exterior spread.

Mockup of the brochure’s full interior spread.

Mockup of the brochure’s full interior spread with the exterior right panel.