V&A Wedgwood – Medallion Trail

In 1787 ceramics entrepreneur Josiah Wedgwood began to manufacture medallions to support the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. More than 200 years on, I worked with the V&A Wedgwood Collection to design and install a temporary exhibition and accompanying trail to shed new light on one of its most iconic objects.Working with City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, as well as Grace Barrett of anti-racism charity I Am Ally, the project explored and re-examined the Wedgwood anti-slavery medallion and considered what a 21st century protest symbol might look like.

Our brief for this trail and display was to create a bold and recognisable identity which would help visitors to navigate the spaces and engage with the content, and allow deeper understanding and exploration. The students used their research to identify a colour palette and logo which we incorporated throughout the trail in the form of intro panels, floor waymarkers and case labels. The case labels also included QR codes which visitors could scan to discover more content on their own devices. At the end of the trail we created a freestanding feedback wall where visitors could answer the question ‘Where do we go from here?’ on cards that were then hung on the wall.

“It was really great working with Katie and the team on the design and production of our display and trail I Am a Man and a Brother. The team were creative in their responses to our brief and maintained fantastic communication throughout.” Kate Turner, Assistant Curator

Client

V&A Wedgwood / Fuzzy Duck Creative

Skills

creative direction, space planning, graphic design