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LABEL WRITING

How can labels for museum exhibitions be engaging, interesting, and not too long or too simple?

We help curators or other specialists write and edit interpretive texts that will appeal to a broad audience. We assume most museum visitors can read and are motivated to learn, but typically they have limited prior knowledge or vocabulary about the topic and have a limited amount of time to spend.

Case studies

• Lincoln Park Conservatory, Plant labels
• Shedd Aquarium, Otters and Oil Don't Mix exhibition
• New York Hall of Science, Marvelous Molecules exhibition

Label-writing workshops
One or two-day label-writing workshops cover the essentials of writing interesting, engaging interpretive labels to increase the educational potential of exhibitions.  Participants who are experienced label writers will obtain new tools and attitudes for their approaches, and those with no experience will learn the basics for getting started on the right track.

The workshop combines lectures, case studies, and actual writing practice sessions, and includes these topics:

1. Planning for writing; developing a “Big Idea” for the exhibition.
2. Developing a “voice” for your labels.
3. Writing, editing, and the review process.
4. Trying out labels before they're done--letting visitors edit.
5. Using the basics of good typography and label design.

Participants are encouraged to bring examples of their own labels, either finished products or works-in-progress.

Serrell has conducted label-writing workshops for in-house staff and for museum professional meetings in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and England.

Other SERVICES :
CONCEPTUAL PLANNING . EXHIBITION EVALUATION. FRAMEWORK