The Stories We Keep

Designing a Dialogue Between Past and Present

The Stories We Keep: Conserving Objects from Ancient Egypt was a dynamic temporary exhibit at Carnegie Museum of Natural History (running from March 2024 to September 2025) that focused on how each object carries stories of its origin, journey, and cultural significance, while emphasizing the role of museum conservators in preserving history for future generations. By pairing ancient items with modern counterparts, the exhibit encouraged reflection on what we leave behind and how objects preserve the essence of human life across millennia. 

As art director and 2D designer on the project, I crafted a visual identity that balanced the sleek precision of a modern laboratory with the tactile warmth of handmade elements. This duality came to life through clean typography, structured layouts, and vibrant color palettes juxtaposed with hand-drawn illustrations, paper textures, and annotation-style handwritten fonts inspired by conservators’ notes. I developed a cohesive design hierarchy that unified the exhibit—from interpretive panels and object labels to immersive environmental graphics—creating a narrative-driven experience that invited visitors to explore ancient Egyptian artifacts while gaining insight into the museum’s conservation work.