Making Modern: An Exploration of Knoll Furniture Design in The Marketplace of Visual Culture

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
This project was developed in support of Making Modern, a MoMA exhibition centered on Knoll's groundbreaking contributions to modern furniture design. The exhibition examines how Knoll's design philosophy not only shaped functional environments but also influenced the evolving visual culture of the 20th century marketplace. The work includes a furniture magazine designed in the style of a catalog and an exhibition poster for print and digital promotion.

DESIGN OVERVIEW:
Magazine Design - Inspired by mid-century modern design principles, the magazine mirrors a furniture catalog layout while serving as an informational and aesthetic artifact void of pricing, it instead emphasizes design theory, material innovation, and cultural context.

Layout & Typography - Clean, grid-based layouts allow for a balance between negative space and image impact. Text often wraps around the angular forms and curves of Knoll furniture, inviting readers to visually explore the objects much like they would in a physical showroom.

Content Flow - Pages use placeholder text to demonstrate editorial structure, with, spreads focusing on form, function, and the intersection of commercial and cultural value.

Imagery - High-resolution photographs of Knoll's iconic pieces are positioned prominently, often integrated with the typography for visual flow and harmony.

Exhibition Poster Design:
The exhibition poster serves as a promotional piece for both print and environmental display. It is designed to engage passerby while reinforcing the exhibition's theme of design interacting with culture.

Dynamic Composition - The title "Making Modern: An Exploration of Knoll FurnitureDesign in the Marketplace of Visual Culture, is integrated into the composition rather than separated. On of Knoll's modernist chairs is shown titled back against the title, creating tension and movement. Above, a Knoll overhead light fixture shines down, casting a subtle shadow that grounds the design and adds depth to the white background, producing a striking 3D effect.

Information Placement - Exhibition dates, times, location (MoMA), and admission details are placed in a clean accessible layout in the lower third, ensuring the poster remains both functional and artful.

OUTCOME:
The final pieces offer a visually engaging yet scholarly lens into Knoll's design legacy. The magazine bridges catalog familiarity with curatorial narrative, while the poster captures the sculptural quality of the work through layered visual play. Both deliverables enhance the museum experience by making the exhibition feel both immersive and intellectually rich.