PRPL and Museums: A Partnership Built on Creativity and Impact
Why PRPL Loves Museums
PRPL has had the privilege of collaborating with five renowned museums over the past seven years. Throughout this journey, we’ve gained invaluable insights into the museum industry, understanding their operations, motivations, and community impact. Each museum partnership is unique, and we cherish the joys and challenges of working in this fascinating sector. Here’s why these collaborations are so integral to the core of PRPL.
Our Love of Working with Museums
The Field Museum
Our journey with museums began with the Field Museum of Chicago in 2017. The website redesign launched on May 20, 2018, following nearly a year of discovery, strategy, design, and development. This project involved multiple trips between Chicago and Orlando, fostering true collaboration and partnership.
The digital team at the Field Museum was crucial to our success. They guided us through departmental intricacies and advocated for us internally, creating a mutual learning environment filled with creativity and respect.
Our project team innovatively tackled unique challenges between strategy and design, while our technology team was motivated by the impact of their work on the museum’s 2 million annual visitors. As the project manager, I learned to navigate changing timelines, manage expectations, and foster innovative collaboration.
This project’s success was shared by our team, the Field Museum's digital team, and the millions of visitors who engage with the museum both physically and digitally. It highlighted the profound connection we have as humans and our part in something larger.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
During our work with the Field Museum, we partnered with an accessibility consultant, which led to a recommendation for the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C. We launched their redesigned site in 2020, amidst COVID-19 and museum renovations. This project required navigating the challenges of creating an engaging online exhibition during a time when physical visits were impossible.
Working closely with the museum’s digital team, we crafted a beautiful, accessible website with the help of the accessibility consultant. Despite the challenges, we ensured the site met stringent WCAG Accessibility standards.
Inspired by the museum’s mission to support women in the arts, we assembled an all-female team and serviced custom photography for an added unique touch. In 2020, nmwa.org saw 1,324,721 visitors, a testament to the project’s impact.
Detroit Institute of Arts
In 2022, we had the opportunity to work on the Detroit Institute of Arts website. This project emphasized excellent collaboration across various museum departments. We conducted workshops, user testing, and CMS training sessions to ensure a comprehensive and user-friendly website.
The main challenge was presenting the art collections in an easily searchable way, which we addressed using SOLR search with Drupal. Despite occasional communication hurdles, we worked together to create a product we were all proud of. This project allowed us to connect with Detroit’s heart, providing a unique design perspective focused on beauty, access, and renewal.
And More Museums to Come
In addition to these projects, PRPL has also developed websites for the Intrepid Museum in New York City and Discovery Place in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each of these projects showcases our approach and the long-lasting impact of our work. Our design standards ensure these websites remain relevant and functional over the years.
Our Approach to Working with Museums
We employ a tailored approach to each museum, ensuring collaboration and project success through a proven methodology. Our process begins with comprehensive discovery workshops involving interactive design thinking activities, providing a deep understanding of each department's focus and expertise. We prioritize alignment and clarity by delving into design direction, technology choices, and internal approval processes.
Inclusive decision-making is central to our approach, ensuring all voices are heard and collaboration drives a clear direction. We guide our clients through the process, recognizing the significance of their investment and alleviating any confusion or intimidation within the team.
What to Expect When Working with Us
• We will listen and understand your museum as well as you do before making any recommendations.
• We will ensure all voices from the museum have an opportunity to speak up.
• We will foster collaboration and communication through technology and in-person activities to build a strong partnership.
• With our extensive experience in the museum space, we will share wisdom and lessons learned.
• We will think strategically to ensure you have a solution that lasts through the years.
• We will vet technologies, plugins, and tools to ensure the right fit for your team.
• We will ensure you have a website you can manage and provide training to do so.
• We will support you through the launch process and post-launch as needed.
• We understand the impact of your work and are driven to be part of something larger than ourselves.
I look forward to seeing how the museum space evolves and being part of more exciting projects like these in the future.
