Exhibit Design Renderings - Griffin MSI Chicago

Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell, 2025

During Summer 2025, I worked at the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago as a Design Intern. I developed 3D environment models and produced weekly renderings for The Paul Tazewell Exhibit, projected to open on January 19th, 2026. These renders guided discussions on spatial layout, lighting, and artifact protection during leadership reviews. Details and approved images will be added after the museum’s official announcement.

Design Process

I joined the design team midway through the exhibit’s conceptual development phase. My responsibilities focused on translating physical measurements into digital models, creating iterative renders, and refining lighting schemes that matched the curatorial narrative. I participated in cross-department meetings where creative direction, accessibility, and artifact presentation strategies were discussed. Weekly feedback sessions shaped my approach to realism, scale, and the emotional tone of lighting.

Render Studies

Room 3 — elevation lighting test render — Room 3 — final elevation lighting test

Room 3 — isometric view render — Isometric overview for spatial alignment

Room 4 — elevation lighting test render — Room 4 — initial elevation render

Room 4 — alternate elevation lighting test render — Room 4 — refined lighting iteration

Room 5 — elevation lighting test render — Room 5 — early concept render

Room 5 — alternate elevation lighting test render — Room 5 — updated color temperature

Room 5 — additional elevation lighting test render — Room 5 — final color balance test

Early gallery render test — Early gallery overview render

Very early gallery render test — Very early material and lighting exploration

A selection of elevation and overview renders used during weekly internal design reviews to compare layout, lighting, and spatial rhythm across rooms.

Outcomes & Reflection

Printed exhibit rendering mounted on foam core board for internal design meeting

Outcome: Renderings used in design reviews Feedback: Invitation to return next summer

Impact: Faster iteration cycles Focus: Human-factors integration

Precision is storytelling. Watching panels go up and wayfinding tuned taught me how much visitor experience depends on small details. In 3D, I treated every render as a question rather than an answer. Weekly passes allowed us to test layouts and lighting before any physical build, balancing playfulness with rigor.