THE KALA COLLECTION
2024.
STUDENT WORK
Especially in Western societies, there is little representation for the art of South Asian countries (ie. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc.) This partially stems from the lack of exposure to such cultures, resulting in little interest from the general public compared to other regions, such as East Asia (Japan, China, South Korea, etc.)
The opportunity to resolve this issue became the core idea of my senior project. The result is a temporary pop-up art exhibit made to showcase the unique qualities of South Asian art while educating the audience on the cultural significance of different techniques and styles.
RESEARCH
This project required a vast amount of research and user testing before the creation of the collateral. This was to ensure that the product would appeal to users’ specific needs and pain points when using it. In my case, it meant ensuring my exhibit was easy to navigate, while also considering the background knowledge of the user to determine what information should be provided within the exhibit. With my subject being art of different countries, it was imperative that I delivered accurate information about the various cultures and art pieces I showcased. A full breakdown of my research can be viewed in the process book below.
SELECTION METHOD
Multiple factors affected the selection of pieces that represented each country, from the intention behind the creation to the medium used to create it. I was also limited to selecting art pieces that were available through open access archives and museum websites. With 8 countries located in South Asia, I chose 2-3 pieces to represent each country. I utilized multiple online sources to supply the copy for deliverables such as the brochures, placards, and more.
BRAND IDENTITY
The Kala Collection is not just an exhibit, but a whole organization founded around preserving culture and promoting education. Therefore, I also created multiple brand elements such as a logo lockup and typographic system to use in my collateral.
The logo combines traditional Sanskrit letters with English words, designed to be recognizable across multiple cultures and embrace interpersonal connection. The color palette I arranged contains a variety of warm, earthy tones often seen in the flags and memorabilia of South Asian countries. The typography system utilizes a clean, legible font for the body copy while the headers have a natural brush stroke shape that is reflected in South Asian written systems.
MOCKUPS
A large piece of collateral I created was an exhibit brochure, complete with 8 decorated inner pages dedicated to each country in South Asia. This allowed the user to learn more about these different countries, inspiring them to interact with the exhibit further.
Using Artsteps, a 3D exhibit modeling program, I was able to design a walkable layout of the exhibit, providing a virtual museum experience that reflected the one I had initially drafted. The placards inside feature information about the respective country and the context behind each piece. My use of this program really allowed me to become fully immersed in the creation of the exhibit, and the walkthrough video allowed the viewer to virtually experience what the Kala Collection has to offer.
