Products & Services > Wayside Exhibits > Work Process

Wayside Exhibit Work Process

Wayside exhibits can be — and often should be — completed in phases. While there is some efficiency in numbers, each wayside exhibit is ultimately a custom exhibit in a unique location.

 

Overview

Occasionally the course of a wayside exhibit project is a straight line from initial concept through development and production. More often, however, the process begins with a comprehensive proposal, but then the project divides into phases. A multiphase project is not a sign of poor management, rather, wayside exhibits can be—and often should be—completed in phases. While there is some efficiency in numbers, each wayside exhibit is ultimately a custom exhibit in a unique location.

Ideally, wayside exhibit projects should begin with parkwide wayside planning integrated into the full spectrum of media within a park. But following the overall identification of all desired waysides within a park, it is often necessary and prudent to move a subset of waysides forward ahead of the others. Reasons include availability of funds, the need for original art or maps, the opening of a new trail, limited staff hours for the project, seasonal conditions, or other circumstances. The staff at Harpers Ferry Center can help parks develop a sound, informed work plan based on the following work process.

Phase One: Project Startup

Work in this first phase should establish a strategy for funding, phasing, and managing the labor, materials, equipment, facilities, and travel necessary to develop, install, and maintain waysides that will facilitate meaningful connections between visitors and landscapes. Time required: One month.

Tasks

  1. Identify wayside needs and formulate strategies to accomplish the work.
  2. Identify the funding and any associated limitations or requirements.
  3. Understand and articulate park operations, policies, and planning documents. Long Range Interpretive Plans »
  4. Gather data on audience, site, and available resources.
  5. Familiarize all project participants with the wayside development processes and project strategy.
  6. Identify and access subject matter expertise.
  7. Assess skills and abilities necessary to accomplish the project.
  8. Identify roles and responsibilities of team members.
  9. Develop a work plan with the agreed upon project strategy, funding, schedule, staff, and communications.
  10. Draft contracts or project agreements necessary to launch the project.
  11. Review and approve the Work Plan and Project Agreement.
  12. Plan the site visit.

Products

  • Work Plan
  • Project Agreement

Phase Two: Site Analysis

The site analysis conducted by the project team will determine the best location for each wayside exhibit driven by site-specific features or events, available graphics, interpretive significance and meanings, visitor flow, and accessibility. All conditions must be evaluated carefully since the success of each individual wayside exhibit is directly related to how well these elements work together. Time required: One month.

Tasks

  1. Begin primary research and identify potential wayside locations.
  2. Conduct site analysis.
  3. Identify and review resource materials and site-related data.
  4. Identify the interpretive purpose for each wayside, and the orientation, size, and site conditions.
  5. Develop visual alternatives (thumbnail sketches) to facilitate decision making.
  6. Identify graphic needs including new illustrations and maps.
  7. Determine panel materials.
  8. Determine base structure.
  9. Develop the Wayside Exhibit Proposal which documents discussions and decisions made during the site visit.
  10. Apply wayside numbering system to prepare for long-term archiving and maintenance.
  11. Draft the Wayside Exhibit Proposal.
  12. Review and Approve the Wayside Exhibit Proposal.
  13. Prepare the Resource Request List.
  14. Refine and update the project schedule.

Products

Phase Three: Wayside Exhibit Development

Based on an approved Wayside Exhibit Proposal a series of graphic layouts is developed to show how the interpretive elements will work together. Time required: 3 to 6 months.

Tasks

  1. Continue primary research on specific subject matter and prepare Resource Package.
  2. Conduct graphics research and prepare Graphics Resource Package.
  3. Develop draft interpretive text. Effective Interpretive Writing Video »
  4. Conceptualize interpretive messages, organize information for intended audience, and create compelling graphic layout files for each wayside exhibit. Wayside Exhibit Typographic Standards (PDF)
  5. Incorporate appropriate NPS organizational identity into the project.
  6. Manage project reviews with subject matter experts, partners and other stakeholders.
  7. Design modifications to the standard wayside bases as needed for custom installations.
  8. Apply the principles and standards in the “Visitor Accessibility for Wayside Exhibits” document. Visitor Accessibility for Wayside Exhibits »
  9. Prepare Wayside Exhibit Plan for presentations and reviews.
  10. Review and approve the Wayside Exhibit Plan.
  11. Assemble resource packages for new illustrations and maps.
  12. Draft scopes of work for new illustrations and maps.

Products

Phase Four: Pre-Production

Based on the approved Wayside Exhibit Plan a production-ready package is developed from which wayside exhibits can be fabricated. The production-ready package consists of the production-ready digital layout files, high-resolution graphic files, fonts, color match prints, production notes to the fabricators, and a base-order form. If original illustrations or new maps are required, these elements are developed after approval of the Wayside Exhibit Plan. Time required: 3 to 15 months depending on the need for new illustrations and maps, and the size of the project.

Tasks

Panels

  1. Purchase use-rights and acquire reproduction-quality graphics. Standards for Digital Image Files (PDF)
  2. Acquire high-resolution graphic scans.
  3. Complete final image adjustments, retouching, or editing.
  4. Complete final text editing.
  5. Translate final approved text into other languages. Bilingual Wayside Exhibits »
  6. Create production-ready high-resolution files and specifications appropriate for panel imaging method.
  7. Conduct final review of full-size proofs of each wayside layout.
  8. Develop task order for panel fabrication.

Bases

  1. Prepare detailed shop drawings for custom wayside bases.
  2. Complete hardware/base order form.
  3. Develop task order for base fabrication.
  4. Develop site improvement plans based on working knowledge of landscape architecture.

Interpretive Illustration

  1. Develop scopes of work, schedules, and cost estimates for new illustrations. Acquiring New Illustrations (PDF)
  2. Based on Illustration Reference Package, render accurate representational images that illuminate interpretive concepts.
  3. Develop sketches and final art for review.
  4. Review and approve each stage of illustration development.
  5. Create reproduction-quality duplicates of illustrations.
  6. Send the illustration and completed documentation to the HFC Art Collection Manager.

Cartography

  1. Develop scopes of work, schedules, and cost estimates.
  2. Conduct site analysis to confirm geographic data and site conditions.
  3. Research and gather primary geographic source data.
  4. Create actual-size, production-ready maps for review and approval. Wayside Exhibit Map Standards (PDF)
  5. Review and approve each stage of map development.

Products

  • Production-Ready Package
  • Original Illustration
  • Original Maps
  • Fabrication Task Orders

Phase Five: Production

Panels can be imaged in porcelain, digital prints, and screen prints. After inspection, the panels are shipped to the park from Harpers Ferry Center. Bases are fabricated according to each specific task order and are shipped directly to the park following inspection and approval. Time required: Six months

Tasks

Panels

  1. Create production-quality proofs for team review.
  2. Inspect and approve production proofs.
  3. Image graphic panels in specified materials from production-ready digital files. Wayside Exhibit Panel Materials »
  4. Inspect and approve wayside panels.
  5. Verify shipping address for panels.
  6. Package panels for shipping.

Bases

  1. Fabricate wayside bases.
  2. Sandblast and paint wayside bases.
  3. Verify shipping address for bases.
  4. Package bases for shipping.

Products

Phase Six: Installation and Maintenance

Upon receipt of the panels and bases, the park typically handles installation of their new waysides. Installation assistance is available from Harpers Ferry Center. HFC will archive and maintain project files and graphics. Parks will store backup wayside panels. Summative Evaluation is done on select projects. Time Required: 1 week– 4 months.

Tasks

  1. Manage shipping to the park and final inspection of the bases.
  2. Improve the sites prior to wayside installation to provide full accessibility.
  3. Manage installation of wayside structures and panels.
  4. Archive final digital files, graphics, and backup panels to facilitate long-term maintenance.
  5. Document credits and use-rights.
  6. Close-out project funding.
  7. Enter the project into the Media Inventory Database (MIDS) system. Media Inventory Database System »
  8. Maintain the site to ensure the vista is clear, the site is safe, and the base is in good shape.
  9. Maintain the panels by cleaning on a regular basis. Wayside Exhibit Maintenance »
  10. Replace damaged/worn panels and bases. Replacing a Wayside Exhibit Panel »

Summative Evaluation

  1. Develop and apply evaluation tools and processes.
  2. Assess waysides for intended outcomes through social science research. Media Evaluation & Visitor Research »

Products

  • Installation instructional video available through HFC
  • Archived Project Files, graphics, and backup panels
  • Wayside Cleaning Kit available through HFC
  • Evaluation Report
  
Author: Harpers Ferry Center
Last Updated: Monday, 20-Jul-2009 07:56:50 Eastern Daylight Time
http://www.nps.gov/hfc/products/waysides/way-process.htm