An environment for connection : making meaning through elements of exhibition design

The practice of exhibition design in fine arts museums has changed dramatically\ud over the course of the past several decades. Contemporary exhibitions that are well\ud designed present engaging, relevant, and meaningful experiences for visiting\ud audiences. In this thesis, the organization of and methods pursued by in-house\ud museum exhibition design departments to develop meaningful exhibits is\ud discussed. A literature review and three case studies are presented. It is concluded\ud that museums in a position to develop meaningful exhibitions today integrate\ud audience research into their design process and emphasize museum wide, long-term\ud planning