V&A Ocean Liners: Speed and Style by Casson Mann

This project has been selected in the Design – Installations & Exhibitions category in The Annual 2019, CR’s award scheme celebrating the best in commercial creativity

Ocean Liners: Speed and Style ran at the V&A Museum in London from February to June 2018. The show celebrated the design of some of the world’s greatest ocean liners, including the Titanic and Canberra.

Agency Casson Mann was tasked with designing the exhibition, which included more than 250 objects, including ship models, paintings, sculpture, decorative panels, furniture, fashion and accessories, posters, photographs and film. Together these items trace the evolution of ocean travel, its engineering innovations and the legacy of the glamorous on-board lifestyle.

The unique challenge was to design a space where visitors could experience what it was like to be on one of those grand vessels, but within the museum’s small indoor exhibition spaces. The end result relied heavily on clever manipulation of space, and the use of multimedia to support the experience of viewing the objects.

The visitors’ journey started dockside, followed by boarding, exploring the ship’s public spaces, below decks in the engine rooms, poolside on deck looking out to sea, to finally enjoy an evening under the stars.

Credit:
Exhibition Design: Casson Mann.Creative Collaborator: Netia Jones. Lighting Design: Studio ZNA. Graphics Design: Why Not Associates. AV Hardware Consultant: Sysco.