The Idea
As someone with a (somewhat unhealthy) obsession with Freddie Mercury and Queen, creating a tribute project to my favorite artist felt inevitable. Beyond his extraordinary musical talent, Mercury’s legacy is deeply tied to his battle with HIV/AIDS, which continues to shape how he is remembered today.
He is not alone in that story, as artists like Gia Carangi and Keith Haring also left lasting creative legacies while facing HIV/AIDS.
This exhibition imagines these artists returning to lead a “conversation” with viewers, sharing their lives, careers, and experiences with the disease. The goal is to create a deeper awareness of the human impact of HIV/AIDS while honoring their influence and individuality.
The Build
The structure of the exhibition was carefully planned to guide viewers through a clear narrative as they move through the space. User flow became a top priority, ensuring the experience felt both informative and engaging. Interactive elements were incorporated throughout to encourage participation and create a more immersive connection to the stories being told.
The Drawing Board
After exploring various structural concepts, the final design took shape as the Red Ribbon, a widely recognized emblem of HIV/AIDS awareness.
Developing this exhibition required extensive iteration, but it ultimately became my favorite project. A key learning moment was understanding scale, ensuring that imagery and text were proportioned appropriately in relation to the average viewer’s height to create a comfortable and impactful experience.