Wings are the areas of a stage where the dancers wait just before they go on to perform. They’re hidden and allow dancers to wait in darkness before they are seen. The wayfinding inspiration for this exhibit is focused around wings and their ability to hide certain things. In this case, it’s the sacrifice, body dysmorphia, audition stress, competitions, and sexual abuse within the art of ballet.

My overall goal of the exhibit design was to make users feel as though they are in the dancer’s shoes. Beginning backstage, traveling throughout the wings, and then ending on stage in front of an audience. Not only does this allow for smooth wayfinding throughout, but correlates to the dancer’s career journey chronologically.

Using foam core, every aspect of this exhibit was 3D constructed by myself, undergoing hours of building and session upon session of critique. Exhibit design was an interesting challenge and forced me to think in a different way. Looking back, this was one of my favorite projects from all four years as a Communications Design student.

I am so proud of the research and construction that went into this project to make a tiny 6” model, transform into a real exhibition.