A client asked me,
‘What makes you different from any other designer?’
Chris van Schaardenburgh Head of Collections
‘The Tank Museum’
‘That is a long and complicated answer, how long have you got?’ I replied. ‘The short answer is not only can I design your exhibition but I can also build it.’
This is how I started my interview for a new exhibition at The Tank Museum. The position was for the lead designer on one of the largest projects The Tank Museum had ever undertaken. The role included relocating x60 WW2 military vehicles into the new exhibition. Many of the vehicles had not been moved since they arrived at the museum some 30yrs ago which would be an enormous undertaking.
Ironically 30yrs ago was about the time I started my creative career building Christmas grottos for prestigious shopping centres throughout the UK.
Since that colourful beginning, I have designed and built a great number of projects, from small exhibitions stands to large aquarium installations across the UK & Europe. I ran my own theming and fit-out company for over 20yrs, building exhibitions from my own designs or from drawings provided by clients and fully understand all of the processes involved. I used to be a muralist by trade and can sculpt pretty much anything including rocks and trees from concrete.
I have also been commissioned to produce some of the most renowned wargaming terrain, which has been shipped worldwide and I have over 1 million views on Youtube from avid wargamers.
I have produced a variety of digital effects for short films. A long time ago, I discovered virtual 3D modelling techniques and integrated them as part of my work, providing complex visuals and walkthroughs to help clients visualise their projects. I provide project management and on-site training for self-build projects to maximise the available budget.
What makes me DIFFERENT?
What makes you unique?
What makes me unique is the ability to fully visualise a project within its space. It is a superpower my wife tells me and comes with being dyslexic. I can literally visualise the project as if it already exists.
Apparently, this is quite common with dyslexia and is why a lot of the top bods at NASA are dyslexic. It enables us to have a great sense of spatial awareness and allows me to visualise what others cannot. This enables me to describe an exhibition with such clarity, depicting each of its features and benefits, and provide suitable methods for construction. I am also able to identify many problems or issues before any design or development takes place.
Once a concept has been agreed, I provide a full range of detailed designs and visuals, ensuring everyone understands what the project should look like and guide the team throughout each stage of the project construction.
Project meeting with Sysco – AV specialist
‘Please don’t worry, Richard will provide your team with the full details. Not only will he give you the size of the unit and where the monitor will fit, but ridiculously, he’ll also tell you where the remote control will sit and probably give you four different colour variations for its holder.’
Chris van Schaardenburgh Head of Collections
The Tank Museum
‘Saving money on a project is often a necessity’
Most projects big or small will involve some form of value engineering. This is standard practice. I am very experienced at maximising tight budgets and know of many ways in which adjustments and savings can be made. The fundamental key is to not jeopardise a scheme when cutting back, but to creatively explore cost-effective solutions over more obvious expensive options.
save money on a project
Making savings on a project is not difficult, making sure the project isn’t jeopardised after that saving…
…Thats an ART.
Here are just a few ways in which I can maximise a budget
- I provide many of the preliminary drawings required before needing to appoint an architect, and produce clear and detailed visuals of all aspects of the project.
- By understanding what sub-contractors for the construction can and can’t achieve, I can advise on the most effective and economic options.
- I can recommend my own preferred specialist subcontractors who I have worked with for many years, which gives me access to better rates for their services.
- You can use your own maintenance team and staff and I can provide specialist training for them and project management.
- I explore local trades to reduce sub-contractor on-site costs.
- Support you to utilise numerous sub-contractors and project manage rather than using an expensive management company for a turn-key solution. This reduces preliminary fees and the need for architectural designs at an early stage.
- I can recycle parts of old exhibitions and acquire props from TV and film sets then integrate them into a new exhibit.
A closer Look Inside my world
Discover more about my work.
Explore in more detail some of the projects I have produced, and examine the key features that have made these projects a success.
Richard Hale
Independent Design Consultant, Specialising in themed environments for museums and visitor attractions, and architectural visualisations
Imagineering
Design
Managment
Construction
services
Imagineering
Digital Presentations
Concept Sketches
Conceptualise Ideas
Creative Solutions
Design
3D Visualisation
Animated Walkthroughs
Detail CAD Designs
Scheme Design
Management
Project Planning
Tender Documentation
Project Managment
Value Engineering
Construction
Contractor Leaison
In-house Staff Training
Continuity Planning
Model Making
specialised areas
Exhibition Case Design
Pre-visualise objects and artefacts, interpretation and case labelling. Bespoke specifications for a tailored exhibition showcases which often require security, support mechanisms, advanced climate control systems and innovative interactive technology.
Themed Environments
Creating bespoke themed and immersive environment settings for artefacts. Specilising in concrete rock and sculpted features. High quility muralling and paint finishes.
Visitor Flow and Space Planning
Exploring and planning new visitor routes. Visulaising exhibition spaces to a high level of detail and to an acuarate scale. Provide clear and easy to read techical drawings and plans.
Architectural Design
Design and explore layout options prior to an architectural appointment. Visualise existing architects 2d plans and present them into a 3D format. Colour rendering of architectural plans for easy understanding and public presentations.
Project Management
Liaise with contractors and provide a bridge between client & contractor. Ensure continuity and design support where required. Track project and provide troubleshooting to keep the project on time and within budget.
Walkthroughs & Video Production
Provide high quality animated walkthroughs of the project and video presentations. Produce videos for social media, animated titles. Produce professional and informative PDFs for project meetings and consultations.