150th Anniversary Exhibit
A STORY THAT ECHOES FORWARD
As the University of Northern Iowa prepared to celebrate its 150th anniversary, academic leaders envisioned an exhibit experience that was worthy of the moment. The project offered a big opportunity but also presented steep challenges: How could the exhibit make a significant impact despite a modest budget and space constraints? Could a story spanning a century and a half be told in a way that feels cohesive, focused, and meaningful?
Partnering with UNI staff across departments, we helped shape an exhibit that focused on resonance—the way people, ideas, traditions, and experiences continue to echo across generations. Through strategic storytelling, impactful design, carefully selected artifacts, and multiple exhibit formats, the experience transforms university history into something visitors can explore, connect to, and see themselves within.
The result is a celebration that reaches far beyond a traditional anniversary exhibit, inviting visitors to discover moments of resilience, innovation, and belonging while exploring their own place within UNI’s enduring legacy.
SERVICES:
- Project Management
- Creative Direction
- Interpretive Planning
- Copywriting
- Experiential Design
- UI/UX Design
- Programming/Development
- Graphic Production
- Installation
FROM VOLUME TO VISION
One of the project’s greatest challenges was the sheer volume of stories, milestones, and historical content accumulated across 150 years. Working closely with UNI’s team, we helped identify the themes, moments, and personal stories that would resonate most strongly with visitors while aligning with the university’s broader anniversary initiatives. The result is an experience that feels focused and accessible, honoring history without overwhelming the audience.
MAKING EVERY ARTIFACT COUNT
While many museums focus on displaying large quantities of artifacts, that approach can overwhelm visitors and dilute the impact of the story. This exhibit takes the opposite approach, relying on a small number of carefully selected objects to carry the narrative forward. A historic bell serves as a centerpiece, representing an important reminder of UNI’s past while symbolically calling the university community together. Nearby, vintage school pennants highlight the institution’s evolution through different eras while reinforcing a constant sense of pride.
DESIGNED TO RESONATE
Once the story took shape, the next challenge was creating a physical environment that reflected the same energy as the rest of the celebration. Working as an extension of UNI’s internal marketing team, we leveraged our expertise in experiential design to bring the university’s 150th anniversary vision into the physical world. Large-scale wall graphics, compelling hero imagery, dimensional lettering, and contemporary design elements create an atmosphere that is dynamic, laudatory, and distinctly UNI.
ONE STORY, MANY TOUCHPOINTS
UNI officials imagined an experience with major impact and widespread audience reach despite having a limited gallery footprint. The 150th anniversary experience addresses this challenge by utilizing digital interactives, satellite locations, and a traveling exhibit. The result is an exhibit that reaches multiple demographics in a variety of ways, effectively turning one interpretive effort into multiple complementary, yet cohesive, experiences.
RESULTS
- More than 2,500 visitors since opening in October
- Generated positive media attention
- Attracts multiple student groups studying storytelling and exhibit creation
- Earned a Gold ADDY in the “Multiple Installations” category at the American Advertising Awards