Roots to Healing

College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota

I designed the exhibition Roots to Healing at Northrop Gallery that ran March -December 2017. The gallery, approximately 250 linear feet, is located on the fourth floor of Northrop, and connects the east and west lobby areas of the Best Buy Theater. The exhibition, with 2-100 foot walls, displayed 75 items ranging in size from 5 inches to over 8 feet.

My concept for the design was based on presenting information through visual storytelling and environmental placement. The integrative, multidisciplinary process combined architecture, interior design, graphic design, and video to create multilayered narratives around the theme of historical, cultural, scientific, and economic value of plants from around the globe. Visual hierarchy through size, scale, spacing, and color were used to prioritize content.

I worked with Lisa Aston Philander, Curator, CBS Conservatory Plant and Microbial Biology, Stephanie Xenos, Director of Communications and Marketing CBS, and Cante Suta-Francis Bettelyoun, Native American Medicine Garden coordinator to visually design a survey of the past, present, and future of plant-based remedies in Minnesota. The exhibition invited viewers to consider plants that have taken root in Minnesota from the commonplace plantain to the rare Lady’s Slipper orchid or the controversial Cannabis.

This exhibition was both an introduction to the Conservatory and, hopefully, serves as an inspiration to visit. Our goal was to highlight the influence of culture on our perception of plant-based medicine. Medicinal plants have, and always will, play a significant role in culture and healing. We want people will be inspired, to notice plants and their incredibly fundamental role in our lives and be moved to protect and conserve them. The College of Biological Sciences Conservatory houses the region’s most diverse collection of plants from around the world organized by biome. The collections are a critical teaching tool vividly demonstrating plant evolution.

Leadership in Conceptual Design: Led the design of the Roots to Healing exhibition for the College of Biological Sciences Conservatory, located at Northrop Gallery in Northrop Auditorium. The exhibit spanned two 100-foot walls, featuring 75 curated items ranging from 5 inches to over 8 feet, meticulously displayed to engage audiences of all ages.

Innovative Visual Storytelling: Conceptualized and executed a design rooted in visual storytelling and environmental placement, bringing together architecture, interior design, graphic design, and video to present layered narratives. The exhibition highlighted the historical, cultural, scientific, and economic significance of plants from around the world.

Strategic Use of Visual Hierarchy: Employed strategic visual hierarchy through size, scale, spacing, and color, emphasizing key elements and creating a dynamic flow of content to guide viewers through the experience.