In this series of interviews, Melanie Pitkin, Assistant Curator of Arts & Design at the Powerhouse Museum, interviews 6 Museum designers, including some of her Powerhouse colleagues. Interviewees can answer the questions in anyway they like, so long as they keep within the 6 minutes! Let’s meet them…
[1] Krister Gustafsson, Industrial Designer, Powerhouse Museum
[2] Colin Rowan, Senior Graphic Designer, Powerhouse Museum
[3] Christina Fedrigo, Graphic Designer, Powerhouse Museum
[4] Carola Salazar, Exhibition Designer, Five Spaces Design
[5] Malcolm McKernan, Exhibition Design Draughtsman, Powerhouse Museum
[6] Felicity Hayward, Graphic Designer, Australian Centre for the Moving Image
[1]
Designer’s name: Krister Gustafsson
What he’s known for: Designing interactives and participatory experiences.
Q1. Who is the last person you received an email from’
Myself! It was a reminder about some research work I have to do.
Q2. What design projects are you currently working on at the Museum’
The Wiggles – I am designing an interactive called ‘The Fruit Salad Machine’. It’s a creative concept which gets children to slice pieces of fruit and toss it into a bowl. It includes a cooking bench top with projections. You can toss the virtual fruit into a real bowl and pieces of fruit foam get blown around in the centre.
Q3. How did you get here’
The job was pointed out to me in an advertisement. On the same day as the Powerhouse Museum interview, I also had one at the Australian National Maritime Museum. But, to actually get the job, I studied Industrial Design at UTS and I ran my own Industrial Design consultancy business for entrepreneurs.
Q4. Apart from your computer, name 5 items on your work desk you just have to have to make an effective working day
Vernier calipers, a ruler, lots and lots of paper and pens for sketching, fruit and a bottle of water. I also need a big ass screen!
Q5. How is working as a designer in a museum different from any other context’
It’s super-dooper creative! You get to specialise in creating one-off pieces and you can work with people from really diverse backgrounds and see how everyone is a collector in one way or another. There are great learning opportunities here too, and it’s a highly supportive environment.
Q6. Do you have a ‘design bible” If so, what is it’
I have a few. The work of Swiss architect, Bernard Tschumi, really changed my way of thinking. He has really strange sayings like “In order to really appreciate architecture, you need to commit murder”. His way of thinking polarises his fans and it brings punk into my work. Also, more recently, I’ve been reading one on game design by Jane McGonigal. It’s about empowering people through digital media.
Q7. What do you consider to be your greatest museum design accomplishment to date’
The Magic Garden – a highly interactive and immersive play space for kids to make them take their health more seriously.
Q8. What’s the last Word document you opened on your computer’
A document on the The Wiggles exhibition which lists the experience objectives and how my interactive can support child development.
Q9. What’s your favourite ‘designed’ object in the Museum’s collection’
The one that’s worth the most! Actually, I really like the Baron Schmiedel bust!
Q10. What’s your ultimate [real or fantasy] design project you’d like to work on at the Museum’
I can’t reveal this yet!
From the top…
Interviewees are asked to select which of the following pairs of words best describes them.
Minimalist or clutter’ Clutter
Facebook or Twitter’ Facebook
Zoe or Cogs’ Zoe
City or the burbs’ The burbs
Vegemite or peanut butter’ Peanut butter
Holden or Ford’ Holden
Beatles or Stones’ Stones
London or Las Vegas’ London
Nightclub or night in’ Nightclub
Early bird or night owl’ Night owl
Coke or Fanta’ Fanta
One pillow or two’ One pillow
Red or blue’ Blue
Fiction or non-fiction’ Fiction
Live or recorded’ Recorded
Run or swim’ Run
Runny yolk or hard yolk’ Hard yolk
Diesel or unleaded’ Unleaded
Brisbane or Melbourne’ Melbourne
Dali or Magritte’ Dali
Complete the sentences…
The most expensive thing on my body today is… my organs. But, they’re not insured.
At the moment, I am putting off… retirement.
What irritates me the most is… politics.
If I wasn’t working at the Powerhouse Museum, I would be… an artist of interactive live performances and children’s interactives.
[2]
Designer’s name: Colin Rowan
What he’s known for: Gossip! [but when not gossiping, Colin works as a Senior Graphic Designer at the Powerhouse Museum!]
Q1. Who is the last person you received an email from’
Justine Knapp (Corporate Development Co-ordinator) regarding a McLeans Bright sponsorship sign.
Q2. What design projects are you currently working on at the Museum’
A Museums Australia NSW Seminar symposium – an external project I am being farmed out for!
Q3. How did you get here’
I saw an advertisement in the newspaper 27 years ago in the Sydney Morning Herald. It said “Display Planner – Graphic Advertising”. I decided to give up my job in mainstream advertising and my Nobby’s Nuts! [Colin coined that famous catch phrase 'I'd rather nibble Nobby's nuts'!]
Q4. Apart from your computer, name 5 items on your work desk you just have to have to make an effective working day
My work desk is known for having nothing on it except for my computer. Other ephemera isn’t necessary when you’re working on a computer screen. I thought we were all in the pursuit of a paperless office’
Q5. How is working as a designer in a museum different from any other context’
The product. Working for a Museum you can believe in the product because it represents culture, heritage and something worthwhile.
Q6. Do you have a ‘design bible” If so, what is it’
There’s nothing a man can’t do in an Emporio Armani one of a kind.
Q7. What do you consider to be your greatest museum design accomplishment to date’
Doing the circulation diagram for the Solomon Guggenheim Museum in 1991.
Q8. What’s the last Word document you opened on your computer’
Sotheby’s magnificant jewels catalogue.
Q9. What’s your favourite ‘designed’ object in the Museum’s collection’
Tiffany vase.
Q10. What’s your ultimate [real or fantasy] design project you’d like to work on at the Museum’
Designing the visual identity for the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences – it’s the one issue the Museum has never addressed.
From the top…
Interviewees are asked to select which of the following pairs of words best describes them.
Minimalist or clutter’ Decorative
Facebook or Twitter’ I like passing notes!
Zoe or Cogs’ Non-gender specific
City or the burbs’ Bayside
Vegemite or peanut butter’ Honey
Holden or Ford’ I don’t have a driver’s licence
Beatles or Stones’ The Carpenters
London or Las Vegas’ New York
Nightclub or night in’ Rockpool bar and grill
Early bird or night owl’ Who sleeps’
Coke or Fanta’ I’m sorry’ Mount Franklin – I detest sugar.
One pillow or two’ Neither.
Red or blue’ Purple – it’s this season.
Fiction or non-fiction’ Who reads’
Live or recorded’ Who listens’
Run or swim’ Skip
Runny yolk or hard yolk’ The yolk’s on you!
Diesel or unleaded’ I gave up sniffing all those things years ago!
Brisbane or Melbourne’ Sydney
Dali or Magritte’ Arthur Rackham (19th century illustrator)
Complete the sentences…
The most expensive thing on my body today is… my Piaget watch.
At the moment, I am putting off… this interview. [I'm afraid it took far longer than 6 minutes to interview Colin!]
What irritates me the most is… inane questions!
If I wasn’t working at the Powerhouse Museum, I would be… dead.
[3]
Designer’s name: Christina Fedrigo
What she’s known for: Graphic Designer, Marketing and Communications
Q1. Who is the last person you received an email from’
The Systems Administrator saying my inbox is over its limit!
Q2. What design projects are you currently working on at the Museum’
One in confidence, the Odditorem travelling exhibition, the next school holiday program and Steamfest.
Q3. How did you get here’
I took the lift!
Q4. Apart from your computer, name 5 items on your work desk you just have to have to make an effective working day
My work phone, business cards, paper samples, post-it notes and blank DVDs.
Q5. How is working as a designer in a museum different from any other context’
It’s extremely diverse with a broad range of objectives and we get great images and objects to work with.
Q6. Do you have a ‘design bible” If so, what is it’
Anything written by Ellen Lupton or about the Swiss style.
Q7. What do you consider to be your greatest museum design accomplishment to date’
Modern Times. The subject interests me, it’s a great collection and I really enjoyed working with Ann Stephen, the curator.
Q8. What’s the last Word document you opened on your computer’
Wording for signage for Eva Czernis-Ryl’s Brilliant book launch.
Q9. What’s your favourite ‘designed’ object in the Museum’s collection’
I like the Grant Featherston chairs and the doll’s house currently on display in the Tinytorem.
Q10. What’s your ultimate [real or fantasy] design project you’d like to work on at the Museum’
A scratch and sniff perfume exhibition.
From the top…
Minimalist or clutter’ Clutter
Facebook or Twitter’ Facebook
Zoe or Cogs’ Cogs
City or the burbs’ The city
Vegemite or peanut butter’ Vegemite
Holden or Ford’ Holden
Beatles or Stones’ Stones
London or Las Vegas’ London
Nightclub or night in’ Night in
Early bird or night owl’ Night owl
Coke or Fanta’ Neither
One pillow or two’ One pillow
Red or blue’ Blue
Fiction or non-fiction’ Both
Live or recorded’ Live
Run or swim’ Swim
Runny yolk or hard yolk’ Hard yolk
Diesel or unleaded’ I don’t drive.
Brisbane or Melbourne’ Melbourne
Dali or Magritte’ Dali
Complete the sentences…
The most expensive thing on my body today is… I bought everything on sale! But, probably my Elke Kramer locket.
At the moment, I am putting off… the Steamfest banner.
What irritates me the most is… default apostrophes.
If I wasn’t working at the Powerhouse Museum, I would be… on holidays – on a yoga retreat in India.
[4]
Designer’s name: Carola Salazar
What she’s known for: My exhibition design work (I hope!) and my accent for sure! [Carola is a designer with her own company, Five Spaces Design in Haberfield].
Q1. Who is the last person you received an email from’
Lovely Sarah, a graphic designer that I work with in some of my contract work.
Q2. What design projects are you currently working on at the Museum’
For the Powerhouse Museum I am re-designing the Tinytorium exhibition so it can be packed and travelled to other venues in Australia. For the Australian Museum, I am re-adapting a concept design that I did for them last year for a major permanent gallery into a new space. For Stanton Library and North Sydney Heritage Centre we are working on some onogoing refurbishment and general signage, which is now in its 7th year! And finally, we are working on Courage to Care, a travelling exhibition linked to an educational program for a private client.
Q3. How did you get here’
I started as a draftsperson at the Powerhouse Museum in 1993 soon after my arrival from Venezuela with an Architecture Degree. Then I moved to the Maritime Museum for a year and came back to the Powerhouse as a display planner until 2001, when I resigned to become a freelancer.
Q4. Apart from your computer, name 5 items on your work desk you just have to have to make an effective working day
iPhone, sketch book, black pen and printer. Wow, only four!
Q5. How is working as a designer in a museum different from any other context’
Far more interesting and meaningful! The subject matter changes constantly and for me it is always a little bit of an education ride due to the Australian content. I use design and aesthetics for the cause of informing the public and delivering curatorial messages – can’t get better than that!
Q6. Do you have a ‘design bible” If so, what is it’
At Uni, it was Corbusier, Alvar Aalto and Richard Meir. Today, I find inspiration in the most unexpected places. It is a bit like living with some form of antennas that are constantly on. I do keep an eye on Dutch designers.
Q7. What do you consider to be your greatest museum design accomplishment to date’
The best is always the next for sure! There are always things to learn and to improve. But, I have some favourites. My last exhibition as an employee at the Powerhouse Museum in 2001, Lace for Fashion, was really special. The Sci-Fiction of Leonardo da Vinci at UTS was also really fun because the content and approach was a combined exercise between designers, curator and client.
Q8. What’s the last Word document you opened on your computer’
A fee proposal in progress.
Q9. What’s your favourite ‘designed’ object in the Museum’s collection’
I have far too many to choose one!
Q10. What’s your ultimate [real or fantasy] design project you’d like to work on at the Museum’
An exhibition about “feeling spaces”, so the visitor can experience architecture and emotions in combination…anybody keen’
From the top…
Minimalist or clutter’ Minimalist
Facebook or Twitter’ Facebook
Zoe or Cogs’ ””
City or the burbs’ City
Vegemite or peanut butter’ Peanut butter and jelly
Holden or Ford’ None
Beatles or Stones’ Beatles
London or Las Vegas’ London
Nightclub or night in’ Night in
Early bird or night owl’ Night owl
Coke or Fanta’ None
One pillow or two’ Four!
Red or blue’ Red
Fiction or non-fiction’ Non-fiction
Live or recorded’ Now recorded, before live
Run or swim’ Run!!!!
Runny yolk or hard yolk’ ”’
Diesel or unleaded’ At this moment, unleaded
Brisbane or Melbourne’ Melbourne
Dali or Magritte’ Magritte
Complete the sentences…
The most expensive thing on my body today is… my engagement ring.
At the moment, I am putting off… cleaning my desk.
What irritates me the most is… when people say “No, it isn’t possible”.
If I wasn’t working at the Powerhouse Museum, I would be… I am a freelancer, so I am a step ahead of the question! But, I would love to be a tri-athlete!
[5]
Designer’s name: Malcolm McKernan
What he’s known for: Detail (the small stuff) [Malcolm is an exhibition design draughtsman]
Q1. Who is the last person you received an email from’
Our Director, Dr Dawn Casey. It was an all staff email about the new State Government department roll out.
Q2. What design projects are you currently working on at the Museum’
I’ve just finished working on the ‘Revealed’ school holiday program with Morris Gleitzman. Now, I’m working on the Odditorium travelling exhibition and I’m about to start on the Wiggles.
Q3. How did you get here’
I was working for an architecture practice and then I saw the job advertised here. I’ve been working as a designer at the Museum for 9 years now.
Q4. Apart from your computer, name 5 items on your work desk you just have to have to make an effective working day
A bottle of water, my coffee plunger, my Rolodex business card file, my tape measure and sketch book.
Q5. How is working as a designer in a museum different from any other context’
Most of the design practices I have worked with in the past have a distinct separation between the design and construction processes. Within the Museum there is a greater level of hands-on collaboration right through the development and construction process up to installation and completion. It is that collaboration that develops a greater understanding of the art of carpentry and joinery and I think ultimately leads to better design.
Q6. Do you have a ‘design bible” If so, what is it’
Lately my most utilised source has been Flickr and Google images! Especially when looking for images and inspiration. I’m constantly amazed what tangents of discovery the searches lead me on!
Q7. What do you consider to be your greatest museum design accomplishment to date’
So many of the great accomplishments here have been big collaborative team efforts. I think, personally, the travelling exhibitions have been most rewarding, especially when it all comes together half way around the world, and seeing how positively people engage with your work.
Q8. What’s the last Word document you opened on your computer’
A survey about the planned Museum community garden.
Q9. What’s your favourite ‘designed’ object in the Museum’s collection’
My favourite ‘designed’ object in the Museum is the mouse-trap making machine [on display at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre: Collection Stores at Castle Hill]. It reminds me of the kinetic sculptures of Jean Tinguely with its raw ingenuity and honesty of function.
Q10. What’s your ultimate [real or fantasy] design project you’d like to work on at the Museum’
I was talking to someone the other day about old 1980s scratch and sniff stickers we had as kids and how great it would be to do a scratch and sniff exhibition! With “smell-a-vision” AVs and a scratch map to guide you through the experience…I’m sure it’s still possible!’ [Malcolm must have been talking with Christina!]
From the top…
Minimalist or clutter’ Clutter
Facebook or Twitter’ Facebook
Zoe or Cogs’ Zoe
City or the burbs’ The city
Vegemite or peanut butter’ Peanut butter
Holden or Ford’ Holden
Beatles or Stones’ Beatles
London or Las Vegas’ Las Vegas
Nightclub or night in’ Nightclub
Early bird or night owl’ Early bird
Coke or Fanta’ Coke
One pillow or two’ One pillow
Red or blue’ Red
Fiction or non-fiction’ Non-fiction
Live or recorded’ Live
Run or swim’ Swim
Runny yolk or hard yolk’ Hard yolk
Diesel or unleaded’ Unleaded
Brisbane or Melbourne’ Melbourne
Dali or Magritte’ Magritte
Complete the sentences…
The most expensive thing on my body today is… my wedding ring.
At the moment, I am putting off… filing my desk.
What irritates me the most is… not enough time.
If I wasn’t working at the Powerhouse Museum, I would be… back in the world of architecture, probably residential design, or maybe very slowly building my own house somewhere down on the south coast.
[6]
Designer’s name: Felicity Hayward
What she’s known for: Cultural institution graphic design
Q1. Who is the last person you received an email from’
Katie – confirming she’d received an ad I emailed earlier.
Q2. What design projects are you currently working on at the Museum’
Graphic outputs for our upcoming exhibition Shaun Gladwell: Stereo Sequences. Plus a few other jobs – signage, June-July ‘What’s On’, ads and helping out our intern.
Q3. How did you get here’
Via Museum of London, Historic Houses Trust, Australian Museum, Hulsbosch, COFA, UNSW.
Q4. Apart from your computer, name 5 items on your work desk you just have to have to make an effective working day
Diary, notepad, Artline 200 fine 0.4 pen, iPhone and my Chewie shrine.
Q5. How is working as a designer in a museum different from any other context’
Content you get to work with is usually really interesting – i.e. contemporary art and film.
Q6. Do you have a ‘design bible” If so, what is it’
Not really. I like to check out a few design blogs to keep up-to-date with new and interesting work including: www.bitique.co.uk, www.visuelle.co.uk, www.formfiftyfive.com, www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog and www.septemberindustry.co.uk.
Q7. What do you consider to be your greatest museum design accomplishment to date’
Probably some of the exhibition identities I have designed – Eyes, Lies and Illusions, Pixar, Len Lye etc.
Q8. What’s the last Word document you opened on your computer’
Marketing job brief for an ad.
Q9. What’s your favourite ‘designed’ object in the collection’
The giant Luxo lamp we made for the Pixar exhibition was pretty cool!
Q10. What’s your ultimate [real or fantasy] design project you’d like to work on at the Museum’
It would be great to get to work on more publications/books – especially if they have nice budgets!
From the top…
Minimalist or clutter’ Somewhere in between!
Facebook or Twitter’ Facebook
Zoe or Cogs’ Eh’
City or the burbs’ City
Vegemite or peanut butter’ Vegemite
Holden or Ford’ Not that into cars – I usually refer to them by what colour they are!
Beatles or Stones’ Beatles
London or Las Vegas’ London
Nightclub or night in’ Night in
Early bird or night owl’ Night owl
Coke or Fanta’ Water – I know, so boring!
One pillow or two’ One
Red or blue’ Red
Fiction or non-fiction’ Fiction
Live or recorded’ Recorded
Run or swim’ Yoga!
Runny yolk or hard yolk’ Runny
Diesel or unleaded’ Unleaded’
Brisbane or Melbourne’ Melbourne
Dali or Magritte’ Magritte
Complete the sentences…
The most expensive thing on my body today is… my top by Zimmerman.
At the moment, I am putting off… filing the pile of archive CDs / print samples / paper swatches I have stacked up at the back of my desk.
What irritates me the most is… design by committee.
If I wasn’t working at the ACMI, I would be… living on lizard island (my spiritual home).