Concept

The Van Hoosen Farm Museum in Rochester Hills underwent a complete two-year transformation. The space required a much-needed graphic-design pick-me-up. Because this project focused on the Van Hoosen family—four generations of women pioneers in medicine and agriculture—reimagining their groundbreaking stories through a modern, character-driven lens was the design challenge. The old museum mostly featured the men of the family. This wasn’t where the real story was!

Process

Therefore, our approach to museum exhibit design centered on elevating these women as the main characters. They helped create historical moments not only locally but globally. And so, through bold visuals and interactive experiences, we brought the museum visitor deeper into the Van Hoosen narrative in an accessible, innovative way.

Key features of this Michigan exhibit design project include:

• Plywood Word-Cloud Panels: These custom displays offer visitors bite-sized information about the Van Hoosen legacy using sustainable materials.
• Interactive Video Exhibits: Inspired by social media, these displays allow users to “like” historical photos taken by the Van Hoosen women themselves.
• Backlit Historical Photography: We brought the history of these pioneers to life using hand-colored, illuminated photographs that bridge the gap between past and present.

Therefore, by combining traditional archival research with cutting-edge interpretive design, we’ve created a space where history feels alive, engaging, and deeply personal.