About Our Process
IdeaForm Design is a full-service exhibition planning and design organization. We are proud of our ability to produce innovative and entertaining content-driven educational experiences for a diverse public audience.
We provide the creative strategy, design development, and the implementation management that ensures a successful outcome.
The IdeaForm Design Office is a fluid network of gifted, experienced professionals, interpreting the natural sciences, physical sciences, technology and cultural history for Museums, Visitor Centers, Zoos, Aquariums, and Corporations.
The Office assembles teams of writers, researchers, graphic designers, exhibit designers, detailers, drafters, illustrators, filmmakers, photographers, model-makers, software developers and fabricators who have the appropriate background and talent for a particular assignment. They are selected and directed by Robert Kosturak, the Creative Director.
Five principles differentiate this office from other services. They are the basis for the way we staff for and approach each project.
1. Design with a diversity of styles
This is the result of a problem-solving process that recognizes the unique aspects of every project; the content, the audience, the client’s vision, the architectural requirements, time constraints, and the budget. A quick glance at our portfolio will bear this out. We do not force your problems to fit into a formulated style. We are just as comfortable developing total immersion naturalistic environments as we are with installing a collection of Andy Warhol prints.
2. Design for the real world
We design and plan for real users, real environmental conditions, real maintenance concerns and real production considerations. Getting the drawings done is not enough. Decades of experience developing projects has resulted in a design approach that is thoughtful and practical, yet no less innovative. When you design, build, install and maintain exhibits, you benefit from observing your work on the floor, while the public and the client are using it.
3. Design through collaboration
Getting any exhibition project created, visualized, funded, designed, built and operating requires incredible energy and the collaboration of a seemingly infinite number of specialists. It demands positive leadership and communication skills to direct and facilitate the effort. We listen, learn and make firm rational decisions that take advantage of the best ideas to benefit the outcome. It is a practice of mutual respect.
4. Information design technology
We excel in the process of distilling key concepts from what is often complex content information and translating that into words and images for a wide variety of media. We often generate original art to visually support and clarify the storyline.
5. Project management systems
The office has developed successful systems for managing large, complex projects. Tracking budgets, schedules, graphics, text, structure and objects are a routine part of our design process. Our extensive experience in guiding projects through the complexity of diverse production methods has given us a reputation for accurate and responsible budget management.