Hunterian Museum

The graphics had to offer deeper insights–into Hunter’s research and anatomy in general. To answer these challenges, dPM worked with Casson Mann to develop an interpretation hierarchy for graphics integrated into every showcase – including ‘Hunter Highlights’ texts which pull out the ‘best of’ Hunter’s specimens–as well as interactive screens which extend visitors’ understanding of anatomy, and give access to the full, illustrated specimen index. 

Patient stories feature throughout the museum, conveying the essential humanity at the heart of medical endeavour. Interactives bring to life contemporary records of Hunter’s patients, visitors can ‘flick through’ personal descriptions of experimental procedures and inventions. The final gallery puts a human face on modern medicine and highlights the teamwork behind lifesaving and transformative surgical procedures.

Eight galleries trace the evolution of medical knowledge. Hunter’s self-professed “grand curiosity” inspired the interpretive concept and subsequent narrative journey. Visitors can engage deeply with Hunter’s insatiable curiosity and scientific enquiry, which led to discoveries and innovations in medical and surgical knowledge and practice. 

The story begins with examples of ancient anatomical and medical knowledge from before Hunter’s time.

The core of the experience is focussed on John Hunter, his life and work in London during the Regency period and his extraordinary collection. Here, a set of rooms is arranged around a central long space, each looking at a period in his life. Gilded portraits and paintings, and digital media richly populated with historic illustrations, place people and events in a social context.

The Long Gallery is a jewel-like wunderkammer revealing intricate and beautiful detail within the delicately illuminated collection of anatomical specimen jars.

The final galleries explore modern surgical breakthroughs of the 19th and 20th centuries, and state-of-the-art techniques used and in development today. 

Color is used throughout to mark time through the enfilade of spaces. Muted, darker tones at the start give way to a colourful Georgian palette for Hunter’s life in 18th century London society. The later spaces become increasingly clinical and brighter as surgical practice becomes cognisant of the need for antisepsis.

A series of three interactive anatomy tables, positioned chronologically along the journey, illustrate the developments in anatomical knowledge and representation from remarkable early archival drawings through to contemporary imaging technology.

The graphic interpretation system references the forms and materials of surgical instruments and how they developed over time. Faceted, knurled and polished chrome details adorn the armatures holding object labels and text panels in place.

Design Team

Roger Mann (creative director)
John Pickford (project lead and director)
Kirsty Kelso (storyline)
Virna di Schiavi (senior designer)
Corinne Tolson-Sevier (senior designer)
Eleonora Francica (designer)

Collaborators

Hawkins\Brown (architect)
Fraser Randall (planning
Beck Interiors (physical fabrication)
Electrosonic (digital fabrication)
ISO Design (av touchscreen and projected media)
dPM (graphic design)

Photo Credits

©Hufton+Crow (photography)
ISO Design, Roger Mann, Casson Mann (videography)

Open Date

May 2023