Field were commissioned to create an immersive exhibition experience across two gallery spaces within The National Science and Media Museum, Bradford. The project encompassed spatial design, wayfinding, interpretive content, and graphic design for an education-led exhibition titled SONIC BOOM: Experiments in Sound. The exhibition explored the multifaceted nature of sound through hero objects, interpretive graphics, interactive elements, and dynamic environments. The overarching design goal was to create a sensory-rich journey that immersed visitors in the experiential world of sound.

Design Approach

Field developed a conceptual framework based on the theme of ‘Binary’ — including Mono/Stereo, Quiet/Loud, Hard/Soft, and On/Off — which threaded consistently throughout both galleries. These dualities provided an overarching narrative, linking the physical spaces and prompting visitors to consider: How do we understand and interact with sound?

Wayfinding and zoning systems reinforced this concept through contrasts in scale, colour, and pattern, enabling both intuitive navigation and deeper thematic engagement.

Audience Experience

To ground the experience in everyday familiarity, the exhibition employed tactile materials such as carpet, fabric, and rubber, bridging the abstract nature of sound with common, recognisable objects. These elements served as accessible entry points, allowing visitors to relate sound to their daily lives.

As visitors moved through the galleries, they encountered interactive moments designed to surprise and delight, playful sound-making devices that encouraged exploration, experimentation, and a more profound understanding of how sound works.

Delivering the Project

Originally commissioned in winter 2019, the exhibition was scheduled to open in two phases across Spring and Summer 2020. This timeline aimed to attract two core audiences: Sound enthusiasts and ‘trend-aware’ adults during the initial phase. And then family audiences during the summer months. This staggered launch was designed to maximise reach and accommodate a wide range of visitor interests.

By March 2020, the visual and design strategy had been approved, with the project ready to progress to detailed design and fabrication. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought the project to an abrupt halt. For nearly a year, development paused as global circumstances shifted, adapting to new restrictions, health and safety considerations and audience expectations post-pandemic.

Adapting to Change

When the project resumed in March 2021, the original design needed significant revision. New public health considerations and restrictions around cleanliness, airflow, and visitor circulation were integrated into the wayfinding systems and spatial layouts. The revised brief also required both galleries to open simultaneously, introducing the challenge of delivering parallel but distinct narrative experiences for both core audiences — without alienating either.

Field responded by working closely with curatorial and educational teams, encouraging a bold, inclusive content strategy. We challenged assumptions about young audiences' engagement with technical content, resulting in an exhibition that was sophisticated yet accessible, inviting families and specialists alike to connect with the material and each other.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, SONIC BOOM launched successfully and provided a vibrant cultural moment for the city of Bradford — serving as a key highlight in its successful bid for UK City of Culture.