Product Design for the Retail Market

Exhibit-linked product and gift design that is intelligent, inspired and irresistible. Just about anybody can slap a logo on a mug and call it a souvenir. At Ingenium Design, we take a different approach.  Our designs are exhibit-driven. Souvenirs that reflect a favorite exhibit through design, materials and application .

• Virtual storyboards bring designs to life

• Materials/applications relate to exhibit

• Concepts to artwork; production suggestions, if needed

• Familiar with domestic/overseas manufacturing standards 

• Engaging copy links products to exhibits

National Museum of Asian Art

inspiration: Life-size wooden chinese warrior carvings.

ideation: Capture these warriors’ intense fierceness by opting for bold accent color, and reproduce many of the products on wood.

National Museum of Asian Art

inspiration: X-ray imagery of wooden lacquer Buddha.

ideation: Use translucent materials and shorted images to recreate the digital scans that revealed how this lacquer Buddha was made. Products include see-through PVC postcards, vinyl totes and glass paperweights.

Hirshhorn

inspiration: Ai WeiWei Wallpaper exhibit.

ideation: Cover everyday objects with artist-activist Ai WeiWei’s striking wallpaper patterns. Look closely. This subtle pattern draws attention to the controversial subject of surveillance.

Smithsonian

inspiration: National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C.

ideation: Create an original design to appeal to the 1.5 million visitors who come to see these springtime stars each year.

National Museum of Natural History

inspiration: Archived Specimens exhibit.

ideation: Celebrate nature’s brilliant designs with colorful, fanciful applications of butterflies, moths, and beetles.

National Museum of African American History & Culture

inspiration: Distinctive Architectural elements .

ideation: Take a cue from the bronze-colored metal latticework that envelopes the museum and create a collection specifically for the grand opening that reflects the exhibits message of light and hope.

National Museum of Asian Art

inspiration: Artist Darren Waterson’s recreation of Whistler’s Peacock Room.

ideation: Capture the feel of the installation with in-your-face colors and graphics that illustrate Waterson’s response to Whistler’s Peacock Room. Waterson’s vision of discord and beauty plays out on tablet covers, note cards, cuff links and and pop-up miniature version of the room.

Hirshhorn

inspiration: Yayoi Kusama infinite patterns.

ideation: Showcase the surreal art of Yahoo Kusama by populating apparel, PVC jewelry and other mementos with her signature polka dots.

National Museum of the American Indian

inspiration: Exhibit about the Inca Culture along the Inca Road.

ideation: Create motifs inspired by those found on Kero cups and integrating them respectfully on travel accessories.

National Museum of Natural History

inspiration: The Hope Diamond.

ideation: Reproduce the multifaceted image of this iconic gem in its ever-so-rare dark grayish blue on unconventional items — tees, backpacks and totes — that appeal to Generation X, Y, and Z.

National Museum of African American History & Culture

inspiration: Architects sketch

ideation: Create wallpaper paper that captures the creative spirit of the building.

National Museum of Asian Art

inspiration: James McNeill Whistler’s Peacock Room

ideation: Feather a range of products in blues and greens, accented in metallic golds and shimmering silks.

National Museum of African American History & Culture

inspiration: Alvin Ailey American Dance exhibit

ideation: Technicolor silouettes and duotones that capture the movements of dance.

National Museum of African American History & Culture

inspiration: Andrea Pippin artwork

ideation: Fun and approachable products that highlight the dynamic colors and graphics of this cultural imagery.

Snowglobes

Highly collectible and an opportunity to highlight your museums personality.

Umbrellas

Rain or not, your institutions brand will always shine on dynamic umbrellas.

Socks

Knot and Sublimated

 Products shown were contracted by Smithsonian Enterprises. All rights reserved.