The Momentary

Environmental design, wayfinding, digital signage, and print collateral for the Momentary, an all-new contemporary art space in Bentonville, AR. Created as a designer for the Momentary.

Environmental design, wayfinding, digital signage, and print collateral for the Momentary, an all-new contemporary art space in Bentonville, AR. Created as a designer for the Momentary.

2020 | Near the end of last year, I was hired on as the sole in-house designer for a new satellite project to Crystal Bridges. Called the Momentary, this contemporary art space transformed a decommissioned 63,000-square-foot cheese factory into a multidisciplinary space for visual and performing arts, culinary experiences, festivals, and artists-in-residence.

Work as a graphic designer for the Momentary consisted of designing solutions to the many problems and challenges associated with opening a brand new space. This included interior wayfinding, digital signage, exterior wayfinding, and print collateral.

As part of this adaptive reuse project, I worked closely with team members at Wheeler Kearns Architects based out of Chicago. Through our collaboration, we developed wayfinding throughout the galleries, mezzanines, tower, back-of-house spaces, and outdoor green area. The following showcases some of our work in transforming this space with an ongoing goal of keeping as much as possible of the original building intact—including minute details such as wall surfaces and chipping paint. As an example of this, most of our interior wayfinding was painted directly on to the surface of existing walls.

© 2020 Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography

In addition to painted on wayfinding, much of the information design of this space was established through digital signage. This includes menu screens, sponsorship recognition, on-site digital promos, and a six-screen display in the lobby as you enter the building. The following showcases some of our efforts to display information through a user-friendly and easily-updatable system.

© 2020 Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography

Outdoor wayfinding for the Momentary green was implemented using semi-permanent exterior signs. This outdoor area is meant to serve as an ideal place for picnics, social gatherings, music festivals, and more art exploration. Walking and biking through this area is also encouraged.

Finally, collateral was produced using a sourced local printer. Layout for this quad-fold brochure features information about the space, culinary offerings, architectural elements, rules, as well as an illustrated map.

The Niche

Environmental design for Crystal Bridges in an experimental gallery space called The Niche. Organized and designed as head of the Niche committee at Crystal Bridges.

Environmental design for Crystal Bridges in an experimental gallery space called The Niche. Organized and designed as head of the Niche committee at Crystal Bridges.

2020 | As a designer for both the Momentary and Crystal Bridges, I had the opportunity to design for an experimental gallery space, titled The Niche. In the Niche, small scale ideas are prototypes, including non-traditional in-gallery interactions. This cultivates an institutional culture of fun and creativity, promoting discovery among staff and guests. The Niche manifests itself in rotating projects, sometimes incorporating artworks, and sometimes not.

The following projects highlight the wide range of ideas presented in this space. They include environmental design showcasing information on Louise Bourgeois’ Maman in Difficult Installs; presenting artwork to the blind or visually impaired in Multisensory; and explaining a seldom-discussed museum role in The Courier.

To display information on the recent de-installation and re-installation of Louise Bourgeois’ Maman, I chose to develop and produce engaging crane and artwork illustrations for the space. Photos and videos of the installation process were also included.

The idea behind this project consisted of highlighting museum-wide accessibility efforts for the blind and visually impaired. This included showcasing our collection of braille artworks and introducing audio descriptions and audio gallery tours to our guests who may not have been familiar.

© 2019 Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography

A courier is a museum employee, usually also a curator, who accompanies an artwork as it travels. In this exhibition, we showed the role of a courier through the lens of an artowork’s travel buddy. We also included a full-sized travel crate within this small space as an illustration of the importance of this position.

NWA Rail Map

Personal project inspired by the iconic London Underground schematic, following the major highways and highlighting some of Northwest Arkansas’ many points of interest.

Personal project, inspired by the iconic London Underground schematic, following the major highways and highlighting some of Northwest Arkansas’ many points of interest.

2020 | Maps are an interest of mine—I’ve always been fascinated by the display of information in the most efficient way possible. The London Underground map, originally designed by Harry Beck, is a perfect example.

This London style has inspired countless tributes. The idea to do a version of this map following the major roadways and intersections of my home in Northwest Arkansas came to me during my daily commute. Although a rail system doesn’t quite yet exist in this area, it’s fun to think about if it did. This project inspired me to troubleshoot, research, and, finally, to create in a way that features the many highlights of the area where I live.

    Time Being

    Branding and visual identity for the opening festival of the Momentary, a new contemporary art space in Bentonville, AR. Created as a designer for the Momentary.

    Branding and visual identity for the opening festival of the Momentary, a new contemporary art space in Bentonville, AR. Created as a designer for the Momentary.

    2020 | Time Being was the inaugural festival of the Momentary, taking place during the Momentary’s opening weekend—Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23. As a designer for the Momentary, I worked to develop a brand and visual identity for this event. To promote to local audiences we used an old-school design tactic: posters with tear-off info. We also developed a digital marketing campaign, a printed calendar, and created buzz for this event through a variety of channels.

    Screenprints

    Personal projects, featuring a collection of screen-printed pieces. Featuring original illustration work.

    Personal projects, featuring a collection of screen-printed pieces. Featuring original illustration work.

    2020 | Screenprinting has been a passion of mine from day one. During high school, when my interest in design had only freshly been piqued, I had the opportunity to do a summer internship at a local Nebraska print shop, T-Shirt Engineers. The following samples highlight gig-poster design, hand-cut prints, 7-color layering, and other personal projects to continue my interest in the field.

    Coloring Sheets

    Branding and visual identity for a Crystal Bridges and Momentary digital effort during a CB at home and MO at home campaign. Created as a designer for the Momentary. Featuring original illustration work.

    Branding and visual identity for a Crystal Bridges and Momentary digital effort during a CB at home and MO at home campaign. Created as a designer for the Momentary. Featuring original illustration work.

    2020 | During the Covid19 era, the Momentary and Crystal Bridges worked to deliver content in new and exciting ways to those who preferred to experience these institutions from the safety of home. As part of this effort, our team of in-house designers worked to illustrate and produce these printable coloring sheets. The following photos and downloadable files feature original illustrations of artwork and architecture at both the Momentary and Crystal Bridges. More images can be found here.

    Small Talk

    Environmental design for a Crystal Bridges exhibition focusing on the intersection between art and text. Created as a designer for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

    Environmental design for a Crystal Bridges exhibition focusing on the intersection between art and text. Created as a designer for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

    2019 | From October 26, 2019 to March 2, 2020, Small Talk was a free focus exhibition that considered how contemporary artists employ language and text through themes of pop culture and word play, and techniques of assemblage and collage. In collaboration with curators, interpreters, and educators, I developed branding and a visual identity for this short-term show, as well as wall and label text design and gallery handouts.

    © 2019 Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography

    Chalk Festival

    Branding and visual identity for a Crystal Bridges summer event highlighting nationally-recognized chalk artists. Created as a designer for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

    Branding and visual identity for a Crystal Bridges summer event highlighting nationally-recognized chalk artists. Created as a designer for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

    2019 | During my time as a designer for Crystal Bridges, I had the privilege to work on branding for an all-new summer event highlighting nationally-recognized chalk artists. As part of the development for this identity, I utilized hand-drawn chalk-like text by illustrating copy for several marketing materials. These materials included social media graphics, postcards, environmental signage, wayfinding, food and drink tickets, and a Chalk Festival-branded cup.

    © 2019 Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography