
Matters of Experience
Matters of Experience is a podcast about the creativity, innovation, and psychology driving designed experiences and encounters. Each week Abby and Brenda dig into the who, how, so what and why of exhibitions, branded experiences, events, spectaculars, and all the crazy things designers and creatives are putting out there for people who just can’t get enough.
Latest episodes

Aug 7, 2024 • 29min
Universal Design in Cultural Institutions with Beth Redmond-Jones
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 Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Beth shares her insights on designing exhibits that inspire and connect with diverse audiences.Tune in to the episode and learn how universal design can create environments that cater to the needs of all visitors, highlighting the continuous journey toward accessibility and inclusivity.Produced by Lorem Ipsum.Show Notes:Beth Redmond-JonesMonterey Bay AquariumWelcoming Museum Visitors with Unapparent DisabilitiesInto the Deep | Exhibition | Monterey Bay AquariumHeureka Goes CrazyIf you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to ask@loremipsumcorp.com.A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumcorp.com/matters-of-experience.

Jul 25, 2024 • 28min
Science Meets Storytelling with Elisabeth Ramm
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 enthusiast, this episode offers a compelling exploration of how immersive spaces can enhance the storytelling of scientific concepts.Produced by Lorem Ipsum.Show Notes:ATELIER BRÜCKNEREcsiteWellcome CollectionArs Electronica CenterZOOM CHILDREN'S MUSEUM - WienArtistic Residencies | Arts · at · CERNFungi Cosmology: a new kingdom and its relevance for the future - Swissnex in BrazilFuturiumART+COM Studios | Neo-NaturHyundai Motorstudio | ATELIER BRÜCKNERIf you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to ask@loremipsumcorp.com.A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumcorp.com/matters-of-experience.

Jul 10, 2024 • 29min
Taste, Touch, and Tech with Emilie Baltz
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 technology as an integral ingredient in her creative process.Whether you’re a designer, a creative professional, or simply curious about the world of sensory design, this episode offers a wealth of insights and inspiration. Join us for an engaging conversation that celebrates the power of multi-sensory experiences and the importance of human connection in design.Produced by Lorem Ipsum.Show Notes:Emilie BaltzDream Machine – Emilie BaltzGenslerIf you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to ask@loremipsumcorp.com.A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumcorp.com/matters-of-experience.

Jun 26, 2024 • 28min
The Muse in Museum
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 Modern Art to innovative voices at the Museum of the Future, we uncover the magic behind designed experiences.A heartfelt thank you to all our guests and supportive listeners. Your insights and stories have made this journey extraordinary. Don’t miss this special episode – listen now and celebrate with us!Produced by Lorem Ipsum.Listen to some of the episodes discussed:Alex BitusJoy Bailey-BryantElif GokcigdemJamie LawyerEllen LuptonTom BowmanAndrea Hadley-JohnsonJasminko HalilovicShow Notes:SEGDCooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum - Lorem Ipsum CorpThe Senses: Design Beyond VisionObjects of Love, Hope and FearWar Childhood MuseumIf you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to ask@loremipsumcorp.com.A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumcorp.com/matters-of-experience.

Jun 12, 2024 • 25min
Breakdowns and Breakthroughs with Eli Kuslansky
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. Learn how empathy, active listening, and cutting-edge technology come together in his projects and get inspired by his insights into the future of museum experiences.Produced by Lorem Ipsum.Show Notes:Kuslansky ElectricUnified FieldMuseum of Tolerance LA | Unified FieldSocial LabArt Movez"Like talking to the wind."Microsoft Café - Cannes NextIf you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to ask@loremipsumcorp.com.A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.

May 29, 2024 • 25min
Creating with Nature with Melissa McGill
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 can forge meaningful relationships with communities and inspire collective action. Tune in to explore the transformative power of art in public spaces and its potential to foster deeper connections.Produced by Lorem Ipsum.Show Notes:Why an Italian Village Tied Itself to a MountainRed Regatta — Melissa McGillConstellation — Melissa McGillIf you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to ask@loremipsumcorp.com.A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.

May 15, 2024 • 29min
What is an Experience? with Tim McNeil
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 conversation about collaboration, creativity, and the impact of technology in exhibition design. This episode is sure to inspire listeners to rethink conventional approaches and embrace the transformative power of immersive storytelling.Produced by Lorem Ipsum.Show Notes:Tim McNeil | University of California Davis | blooloop 50 2023The Exhibition and Experience Design HandbookDesign Museum — UC DavisThe Transformational Impact of Exhibition and Experience Design - SEGDIf you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to ask@loremipsumcorp.com.A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.

May 1, 2024 • 29min
Creating an Audience-Centered Experience with Jamie Lawyer
As museums evolve from traditional repositories of art and artifacts to dynamic spaces that reflect their visitors’ diverse voices and experiences, creating inclusive spaces for audiences is more critical than ever. This week’s guest is on a mission to foster inclusivity in cultural institutions. Join Abby and Brenda as they chat with Jamie Lawyer, the Chief Experience Officer at the Rubin Museum of Art, about creating places and spaces to make audiences feel cared for and fall in love with cultural experiences.Produced by Lorem Ipsum.Show Notes:Museum of HomelessnessEmpathy MuseumICOM approves a new museum definitionMandala Lab, Milan | BAM | 2024 – Rubin Museum of ArtMuse Academy - America for Bulgaria FoundationMuzeiko - America for Bulgaria Children's MuseumIf you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to ask@loremipsumcorp.com.A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.

Apr 17, 2024 • 24min
Textiles and Technology with Nicole Yi Messier
What do textiles and technology have in common? Independently, each medium can be used as a form of artistic expression. Together, they can combine to tell stories that blur the boundaries between the digital and the physical. Nicole Yi Messier is a multidisciplinary artist and the co-founder of Craftwork, who loves to create experiences that push the envelope in terms of how we interact with them and how they respond to us. If you’re craft-curious or just looking to learn about the possibilities of blending materials and technologies, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Produced by Lorem Ipsum.Show Notes:CraftworkVisit of the Bayeux TapestryAncient FuturesELLEN SAMPSONNEW INCDEMO2024If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to ask@loremipsumcorp.com.A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.

Apr 3, 2024 • 27min
Being Successful While Balancing it All with Trent Oliver
In this episode, discover the transformative power of mentorship, visitor-centered design, and innovative storytelling with Trent Oliver, the Principal and Managing Director of Blue Telescope. From fostering diversity and inclusion to balancing work-life as a parent, Trent shares insights on shaping the future of interactive experiences. If you’re curious about the unique perspectives and challenges of a successful woman-owned business, this episode is for you.Produced by Lorem Ipsum.Show Notes:Blue TelescopeHarriet B's DescendantsPraxis Museum Projects GroupInjection Simulator – Ipsen BiopharmaceuticalsNational Women’s History Museum and Blue Telescope Named 2023 Gold WinnerIf you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to ask@loremipsumcorp.com.A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.