Matters of Experience

What defines excellence in experiential design? In this episode of Matters of Experience , Abby Honor and Brenda Cowan welcome Travis Stanton, an award-winning editor, strategist, and global design competition leader. Travis reflects on his role judging the “World Expolympics” at Expo 2025 Osaka, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how international pavilions are evaluated. From emotionally reson...

What does it take to turn a blank space into an unforgettable experience? In this episode, Carl Rhodes—Creative Director and exhibit design veteran—pulls back the curtain on the creative journey behind today’s most engaging museums. Starting as a painter unsure of his path, Carl shares how a willingness to explore led him into exhibition design, where storytelling, space, and technology intersect....

What happens when a museum treats its floor like a laboratory? In this episode of Matters of Experience , we sit down with Allyson Feeney, Senior Project Director at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, to explore how experimentation, storytelling, and spatial design come together in one of the world’s most iconic interactive museums. Allyson takes us behind the scenes of the museum’s Time Corridor...

If you’ve ever ridden an elevator, zipped a jacket, watched IMAX, or tapped a touchscreen, you’ve experienced the legacy of a World’s Fair—whether you knew it or not. In this episode of Matters of Experience, hosts Abby and Brenda Cowan welcome Charles Pappas, one of the world’s leading authorities on World Expos, to uncover how these massive, temporary gatherings quietly shaped everyday life. Fro...

Designer and creative leader Lucy Holmes traces a life shaped by letters and by people. From hand drawing alphabets at RISD to orchestrating typographic rhythm through major museums, she reveals how the most resonant design often disappears so visitors can be fully with the work. Holmes describes turning words upside down to see relationships rather than read them, printing and pinning, tracing an...

Creative designer and AI educator Marlena Emig reveals how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the exhibition design process, not by replacing human creativity, but by amplifying it. She discusses how AI has transformed the painful constraints of pitch deadlines into opportunities for deeper research and richer storytelling, allowing designers to iterate freely and course-correct without fe...

Light carves stories from darkness, transforming spaces into emotional journeys that transcend mere illumination. Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan explore the sculptural art of lighting design with Steven Rosen, founder of Available Light and recipient of the Edison Report’s Lifetime Achievement Award. From his theatrical roots to museum environments, Steven reveals how lighting designers serve as s...

What does it take to transform a colonial institution into one that centers healing, justice, and shared humanity? In this episode of Matters of Experience , hosts Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan speak with Micah Parzen, anthropologist, attorney, and CEO of the Museum of Us—formerly the San Diego Museum of Man. Micah shares the museum’s bold journey toward anti-racist, anti-colonial practice: from...

Spencer Luckey doesn’t just build playgrounds—he sculpts experiences that invite curiosity, joy, and exploration. In this episode of Matters of Experience , hosts Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with the artist, designer, and president of Luckey Climbers to talk about the intersection of play and public space. Spencer shares what it’s like to grow up inside a creative legacy and how he bri...

Design can do more than communicate—it can captivate, transport, and transform. In this episode of Matters of Experience , Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Shirin Frangoul-Brückner, founding partner of the globally acclaimed design studio Atelier Brückner. Shirin shares her journey from architecture to experience design, the philosophy of “form follows content,” and how immersive exhib...

What does it mean to design for dialogue—not just display? In this episode of Matters of Experience , Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Jonathan Alger, founding partner at C&G Partners and a leading voice in exhibition and experience design. Jonathan shares how designing with empathy, navigating creative discomfort, and embracing uncertainty can lead to deeper, more inclusive storyt...

How do creativity and courage shape the future of design? In this episode of Matters of Experience, Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Murilo Melo, a design leader who believes that great design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about meaning, connection, and bold decision-making. Murilo shares insights on the evolving role of designers as problem definers, the power of taking risks in br...

In this episode of Matters of Experience , Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Monica Herman, a seasoned experiential design strategist, to explore the transformative power of meaningful experiences. Monica shares how her work moves beyond “cool” designs, focusing instead on creating moments that address real needs—whether building awareness, shifting perceptions, or evoking awe. Discover...

How can digital technology transform our everyday spaces into memorable experiences? In this episode of Matters of Experience , Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan speak with Brandon Harp, Director of Digital Experiences at McCann Systems Experiential Technology Practice. Brandon shares insights into designing multi-sensory environments, the importance of storytelling in digital displays, and how data...

What role do emotions play in creativity, and how can emotional intelligence transform the way we innovate? In this episode of Matters of Experience, Abby and Brenda talk with Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, Senior Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Zorana shares insights from her groundbreaking research on emotional intelligence, creativity, and the power of art to deep...

What if the colors around us could change the way we feel, think, and connect? In this episode of Matters of Experience, we dive into the transformative world of color with Laura Guido-Clark, founder of Project Color Corps and creator of the Love Good Color methodology. Known for her pioneering approach to color as a tool for emotional and social change, Laura shares insights into how color can he...

In this episode of Matters of Experience, we speak with Dr. Dori Tunstall, a visionary leader in the design world and the first Black female dean of a design faculty. Dori discusses the transformative power of design as a tool for cultural justice, equity, and inclusion. Together, we explore critical questions like: How do we decolonize design? and what it takes to rethink design education for a m...

What does it take to lead and innovate in a small museum setting? In this episode of Matters of Experience, hosts Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Alli Schell, Director of Public Programs at the Marshall Steam Museum, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of working in small museums. With a career shaped by a deep passion for history and education, Alli shares her journey...

How can museums and cultural institutions become more inclusive and welcoming for all visitors? Join us as we explore this vital question with Beth Redmond-Jones, VP of Exhibitions at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and editor & contributing author of Welcoming Museum Visitors with Unapparent Disabilities. With over 30 years of experience at leading institutions like the San Diego Natural History Mu...

This week we discuss the fascinating debate on the role of immersive spaces in science museums with Elisabeth Ramm, an associate partner at ATELIER BRÜCKNER and co-founder of the Swiss-based ARTHINKING Association. Elisabeth shares her insights on how scenography and storytelling can foster creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of wonder. Whether you’re a designer, educator, or science enthus...

Take a bite out of the world of multi-sensory design with Emilie Baltz, an immersive experience director known for her innovative approach to combining the senses, art, and technology. Discover how Emilie’s work, such as the acclaimed Dream Machine at Liberty Science Center, fosters curiosity and wonder by engaging all the senses. Learn about her passion for community building and how she uses tec...

Celebrating our 50th episode ! Join us for a special milestone as we celebrate 50 episodes of Matters of Experience ! Abby and Brenda dive into the heart of what makes our profession so unique – and celebrate the incredible guests and topics we’ve explored. In this episode, “The Muse in Museum,” we reflect on the muses that shape our show. From the creative minds at the San Francisco Museum of Mod...

This week’s guest has a theory that you must have a breakdown before getting a breakthrough. Tune into this week’s episode to discover how Eli Kuslansky, Founding Partner and Chief Strategist at Unified Field, applies this theory to revolutionize museum design. Eli shares his journey from nautical antique appraisals to pioneering digital media in museums, creating evocative, emotion-rich exhibits....

How can art truly connect with a place and its community? Join Abby and Brenda on Matters of Experience as they dive into this question with artist Melissa McGill . Melissa shares her approach to creating art that resonates authentically with its environment, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections and immersion. Through projects like the Red Regatta in Venice, she illustrates how art ca...

Tim McNeil is a Professor of Design at the University of California Davis and Director/Chief Curator of the UC Davis Design Museum. He believes that exhibition design is the most transdisciplinary of the design fields, bringing together different design disciplines to create engaging experiences for diverse audiences. In this week’s episode, Tim joins hosts Abby and Brenda in a multifaceted conver...