Exhibit Labels

An Interpretive Approach

By (author) Beverly Serrell

Not available to order

Publication date:

19 June 2015

Length of book:

300 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781442249042

Beverly Serrell presents the reader with excellent guidelines on the process of exhibit label planning, writing, design, and production. One of the museum field’s leading consultants and label writers, Serrell’s 1996 edition of Exhibit Labels has been a standard in the field since its initial publication. This new edition not only provides expert guidance on the art of label writing for diverse audiences and explores the theoretical and interpretive considerations of placing labels within an exhibition, it also features all new case studies and photographs and thoughts about interpretation in digital media. Exhibit Labels: An Interpretive Approach is a vital reference tool for all museum professionals.

Preface
Introduction
Part 1: Overview
1. Behind It All: The Big Idea
2. What are Interpretive Labels?
3. Types of Labels in Exhibitions

Part 2: Considering the Audience
4. Who is the Audience (and What Do They Want)?
5. Audience Fragmentation
6. Selecting the Right Reading Level
7. The Number of Words
8. Multilingual Labels
9. Writing Visitor-Friendly Labels

Chapter 10. The Label’s Voice: Who is Talking to Me?

Part 3: Exhancing the Visitor Experience
11.Hierarchies
12. Modalities
13. Making Words and Images Work Together
14. Labels That Ask Questions
15. Labels for Interactive Exhibits
16. Digital Interpretive Devices

Part 4: Tasks
17. Getting Started (and Getting It Done)
18. Evaluation During Development
19. Typographic Design
20. Production and Fabrication
21. Evaluation After Opening

Part 5: Conclusions
22. Findings from Research and Evaluation

Bibliography
Figure Credits
Index
About the Author

It is not hard to see why this book has remained popular for almost twenty years. Though lengthy, the author practices what she preaches: text is succinct and relevant; conclusions are evidence-based and often thought-provoking. Following Serrell’s guidelines, museums are capable of creating a multimedia experience for visitors akin to an interactive documentary. Anyone needing to write interpretive labels for an exhibit obviously will find this book immensely valuable, but even educators not involved in museum work might find this an interesting look at other ways of presenting information in a visual, verbal, and engaging way.