Interpretive Design/Exhibitions
We shape incredible experiences
From storyboarding the journey, to designing and building the space
Over Two Decades of Creativity & Innovation
Circle is one of Northern Ireland’s leading Brand, Interpretation & Exhibition consultancies with a 20-year portfolio of work that spans all major public and private sector organisations throughout the UK and Ireland.
Circle’s consultants are experts with over twenty years industry experience in delivering interpretation materials and designing small-to-large-scale interpretation projects, with contract values exceeding £100k. Our team comprises designers, researchers, storytellers, interpreters, interpretation consultants/designers and interpretation materials specifiers, marketing experts and project managers.
In every case we carry out a detailed site visit/s to:
• fully scope out the full potential of your visitor experience
• identify what will work and what won’t
• create a workable, integrated visitor experience plan.
Then we research, research, research. Visitors want more than bland facts about who built what, when. We give them the stories that bring places to life. And this requires strong creative design, intriguing copy and beautiful illustrations, presented in the best format. Which is where we excel.
We design and deliver:
• immersive visitor experiences and stand out exhibitions for museums
• engaging interpretation for visitor trails and heritage attractions
• wayfinding & public realm signage
• audio and AV interpretive materials
• corporate display stands for B2B and B2C exhibitions
20 years of expert interpretive advice
We have expert product knowledge across a wide range of materials and formats. This means we can provide the best advice on all types of signage/display materials for internal and external signage/internal display materials, outdoor audio and from FSC Woods to stoved resin panels. In fact, Circle is the appointed supplier of Durable Ali stoved resin products in Ireland. Durable Ali provides an optimal medium for exterior interpretation, as the product is far superior to polycarbonate due to its anti-vandal resistant qualities, UV protection and 10-year warranty.
Bringing life to your destination
Research, masterplan and graphic design are only part of the story. We also know how to design and build quickly, effectively and legally, creating the infrastructure and services that will attract visitors to your destination and ensure their safety while they’re with you. That also means creating marketing material and multi-media promotional campaigns that will excite the interest of the audiences you want to attract.
Rewarding, learning experiences
Above all, we place learning at the heart of our design process and we understand that our role is to provide thought-provoking and fulfilling experiences that will be remembered long after the visitor has departed. Our goal is to create a visitor experience that clearly and concisely interprets cultural, historical and/or environmental stories and information in ways that: (a) attract and hold your visitors attention and (b) impart meaningful and long-lasting memories.
Exhibitions
Dramatic displays that are pulsing with life
Here at Circle we design and create immersive visitor experiences and stand-out exhibitions for museums, heritage attractions and major brands throughout the UK. Our imaginative and intricate spaces draw people together to share extraordinary, life-enriching experiences. We can apply our skills in many diverse locations, whether it be a large, multi-level museum exhibition, or an intimate single-room corporate display.
It all comes down to our creative team. They have vast experience, boundless imagination and immense technical know-how. This means we can manage your project from its most basic concept stage through to final technical specification and installation. All the while keeping a firm hand on the creative direction, clarity of messaging… and budget.
The complete package
We believe that an exhibition cannot operate to it best in isolation. In order for a bespoke exhibition to fully resonate with visitors, it must be planned as an integral part of a wider communication and interpretive strategy that embraces a number of information touch points - including branded leaflets, maps, brochures, trails, interpretation signage, websites, audio apps and other media.
Working with our team of interpretive designers, interpretive consultants, managers, community groups, researchers/copywriters, artists and other specialist contributors, you can be confident that Circle will plan and create a unique and distinctive exhibition solution for your visitor attraction.
How do we do it? Well, we’re great at getting inside the minds of your visitors or customers, so we tailor our designs to their requirements and deliver experiences that exceed their expectations.
Positive memories
The end result will be a visitor experience that clearly and concisely interprets cultural, historical and/or environmental stories and information in ways that: (a) attract and hold your visitors attention and (b) impart meaningful and long-lasting memories.
We have worked on exhibition projects throughout the UK and Ireland, achieving striking results with budgets of all sizes and delivering engaging exhibitions that combine maximum impact with maximum value.
Interpretive Design
Telling stories that engage the emotions
Interpretation is one of Circle’s key specialist areas. Over the years we’ve helped numerous tourism organisations, visitor centres, historical sites, museums and community groups throughout Ireland to scope, plan and create beautifully designed and rigorously researched interpretive panels, educational resources and museum exhibitions that deliver rich, engaging visitor experiences.
We are committed to helping everyone learn about their own and other people’s history, culture, natural environment and lifestyle and to making this as engaging and as enjoyable as possible. We are also committed to not ‘dumbing down’ and will always propose a wide range of interpretive materials in order to engage and hold the interest of visitors at all levels.
Bringing stories to life
Experience counts and with 20+ years behind us, we know how to identify and develop themes and ideas that will grip the imagination of your visitors. Our researchers and designers dig deep to uncover the stories that bring your venue to life – everything from tumultuous battles to local mythology; famous castles and kings to forgotten local heroes. Then we find the very best way to bring your stories to life, through interpretive panels and 3D displays, to hands-on interactives and immersive audio-visual experiences.
The bigger picture
For interpretation signage to truly resonate with your visitors, it must be planned as an integral part of a wider communication and interpretive strategy: one that embraces a number of information touch points - including branded leaflets, maps, brochures, exhibits, trails, websites, audio apps and other media.
Interpretation panels
For us, interpretation is much more than just telling, it’s about sharing knowledge, insights and secrets. And it’s not just learning, it’s about making connections between people, places and things that have happened. We believe that the primary role of interpretation is to change people’s relationship with a place. This is why we emphasise participation, dialogue and activity. And it’s why we put high quality, well-planned interpretation at the heart of our visitor experiences, with solutions that are appropriate to your site and the needs and expectations of your visitors.
Nothing epitomises this approach more than our Durable Ali+ interpretive panel system. A printed Aluminium product, Durable Ali+ is a cost-effective alternative to vitreous enamel signage, providing outstanding full-colour print quality and long-term resistance to UV and exterior weather conditions.
Wayfinding signage
Our wayfinding signs are designed to easily communicate with trail users and keep them safe and oriented on your trail, exhibition or journey of discovery. We start by conducting a comprehensive and bespoke wayfinding strategy that identifies the needs of your particular project. From this we then develop well-designed clear, robust wayfinding signage, whose primary goal is to navigate visitors along your trail, easily, safely and efficiently, while remaining sympathetic to the overall environment.
Trail furniture
Our approach to trail furniture embraces much more than the occasional wooden bench. We regard trail furniture as an integral part of the overall visitor experience, we can specify and provide bespoke install unique wooden information hub signage, half roofed shelters, seating/unique benches, forestcape seating and signs, using sustainable local materials where possible with beautiful routering features, durable Ali colour panels and zinc relief rubbing panels.
And why stop there? Over the years we have delivered projects that incorporate bespoke garden benches, dazzling wooden sculptures, boardwalks, pond dipping platforms and bridges. In short, if you can imagine it then we know someone who can make it.
