Natural History Museum exhibition graphics

Museum exhibit graphics for Dimension X

Here at The Graphical Tree we're no strangers to working within bona fide institutions. These often grand locations have included work at the Royal Academy of Arts and Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, and for this particular job, the iconic Natural History Museum in London.

We were commissioned by the brilliantly inventive Factory 42, an award winning immersive technology and experience studio, to produce and fit the supporting graphics for the Dimension X: Robots & Dinosaurs event.

In Dimension X: Robots allowed visitors to meet and interact with a cast of digital robots and automata using headsets from US tech company Magic Leap. While immersing themselves within the narrative, people were able to react to the digital characters and shape their own stories.

Dimension X: Dinosaurs asked visitors to collect palaeontological evidence and return ghost dinosaurs to another dimension. Via the headsets computer-generated VR graphics were superimposed onto a specially curated space. Players were called to Dimension X, an otherworldly realm, where they were able to use tracking equipment to find onsite paranormal activity.

For this project the design and build of the set was managed by Sarner in conjunction with the team from Factory 42, although we do offer a build and fabrication service ourselves. Working with others can be a great experience though as you build bonds, problem solve, and work together to hopefully create something exciting and rewarding. We were able to work closely with both teams to determine important factors such as the base material and finish for the structure, as well as accessing dimensions critical for a the correct production of the graphics.

The layered nature of the space surround, complete with side lighting and illuminated visuals, meant that the section returns needed to be wrap mounted with our printed graphics. Nobody really wants to see bare MDF returns if you can help it, and with our suggestion extra bleed allocated to the artwork, we were able to print additional vinyl to be applied and stretched around the stand edge, out of sight of the visiting public. As they say, the devil is in the detail.

Along side our set of spacial facade graphics, we also produced and fitted a number of internal elements which were used to brand the Dimension X inside space too. Items like the Dimension X logos and brand imagery help to set the scene, even before putting on the Magic Leap headsets.

We find that even with immersive and VR events and exhibitions, an element of print and livery exists. This might come in the form of signage, advertising or other large graphic elements. It's a pleasure to be involved in these unfolding new experiences that technology advances and imagination are able to create.

And as Sarner so beautifully say on their own case study, “The two resulting multisensory experiences are trailblazers that demonstrate how collections can be brought to life in fresh new ways.  They also articulate beautifully how science, storytelling, technology and imagination can combine to create immersive worlds that raise the experience bar higher – educating and entertaining a new generation of museum visitors.”

Museum graphic design and build