The things we do
We’ve worked with a lot of people in a lot of places in the UK and overseas. We know about complex projects with lots of deadlines, big teams and huge audiences, as well as smaller, quicker interventions.
We apply the same principles wherever we’re working.
We’re focused on the client’s goals and audiences.
We’re interested in finding how to connect people with places, ideas, objects and each other.
We believe that the best, most creative and impactful communication and interpretation happens when there’s a clear, lucid understanding of the story and who we’re sharing it with.
How to tell a story in 100 words
For a year, we worked with the curators at the National Portrait Gallery to identify and apply a new way of writing about the ‘nation’s family album'. Moving away from simply sharing the sitter’s potted biography, we developed a way to tell stories that engages visitors with the subjects, artists and the idea of portraiture. The revamped NPG opened in June 2023.
And at the same time, we’ve been working with the team at the Young V&A on tone of voice, as they created their new interpretation as the former Museum of Childhood was transformed into a design museum for children and young people.
Frankincense - a global story
Southern Oman is home to the UNESCO World Heritage designated Land of Frankincense stretching from the edge of the Empty Quarter to the coastal cities of Dhofar.
We worked on the planned redevelopment of the Land of Frankincense Museum in Salalah which tells this story and shows objects found during years of international archaeological work. We did research, chose objects, wrote AV briefs and interpretation graphics, collaborating with designers from concept to delivery.
The story goes back 8,000 years and connects Oman to ancient cultures from the Mediterranean to China. And it all starts with the sap of the boswellia sacra tree which produces a beautiful scent when burned.
Eureka! It’s child’s play
The UK only has two dedicated children’s museums and the newest one opened at the end of 2022 in Merseyside – Eureka! Science + Discovery.
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax is now over 30 years old and has an amazing track record of play-based learning for 0-11-year-olds. So it was exciting to work on the new Eureka! focused on STE(A)M and aimed at 8-14-year-olds.
We worked on the project from inception, identifying the big ideas, developing an innovative approach to community co-creation, then working with a team of illustrators, and 3D, graphic and digital designers and fabricators to create an award-winning venue.
No island is an island
Jersey Heritage are old friends and we have been working on interpretation projects with them for many years. This time, we are wearing a few hats… We’re collaborating with the team as they develop new interpretation telling the Island’s story at Jersey Museum, planning new exhibitions of objects and intangible cultural heritage at Hamptonne Country Life Museum, and working on a revamp of Mont Orgueil Castle.
Jersey Heritage have been exploring the concept of island-ness – not just the geology and geography but what makes islands unique in their social, political, economic and cultural development. And in Jersey, this also involves a renewed commitment to the Island’s language, Jèrriais.
There be Vikings
We are working with the Lofotr Viking Museum in Arctic Norway to renew their vision after 30 years of successful operation.
Based in the stunning Lofoten Islands, Lofotr attracts over 100,000 people every year to the site of the largest Viking longhouse ever found. The museum offers sensory immersion through hands-on experiences in the reconstructed longhouse and an exhibition of stunning objects.
We spent time in Lofotr, watching how things work and chatting to the Vikings. We talked to as many staff as possible and ran a team workshop. We produced an interpretation review followed by an interpretation strategy and plan - and now we’re working on a new exhibition.
What we believe in
Inclusion is absolutely core to what we do. We are deeply committed to cultural, physical, social and intellectual inclusion. We want everyone to feel welcome, engaged and included.
With over 15 years’ experience in consultancy, we know that our job is to help you get the best for your organisation. When our work finishes you will still be carrying on.
We want to leave you and your teams in a better shape than when we started. We bring facilitation skills and a huge amount of experience training and mentoring - from postgraduate students to highly experienced professionals.
Current & previous clients
Alliance Française, Glasgow
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
Colmcille Project, UK and Ireland
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Eureka! Science + Discovery
Expo 2015 Milan/Expo 2021 Dubai
Glasgow Science Centre
Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Royal Palaces
Jersey Heritage
Land of Frankincense Museum, Oman
Lofotr Viking Museum, Lofoten, Norway
Manx National Heritage
Museums Association UK
Museum nan Eilean, Isle of Lewis
Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
National Football Museum, Manchester
National Gallery, London
National Maritime Museum
National Museum of the Royal Navy
St Columba Heritage Centre
Sealladh Hiort, North Uist
Science Museum, London
Staffin Ecomuseum
The D-Day Story, Portsmouth
University of Glasgow
Woollaton Hall, Nottingham
Young V&A, London
National Museums Scotland
National Portrait Gallery, London
National Railway Museum
National Science and Media Museum
National Trust for Scotland
Newstead Abbey, Nottingham
Paisley Museum Reimagined
Riverside Museum, Glasgow
Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Royal Observatory Greenwich