Museums

Freelance Designer

It started in 2005, when I graduated with a BA (hons) in Museum & Exhibition Design. I’ve been designing for visitors ever since…

Working on great projects; Travelling to museums all over the UK and beyond; Meeting talented and interesting people; Displaying amazing collections; And sharing knoweldge and stories with visitors on a range of fascinating subjects.

Science and Technology

National Science Centre, Korea 2017
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum 2016
Cabaret Mechanical

National Science and Media Museum 2016
In Your Face! Temporary Exhibition

Eureka! 2016
Great Northern Shed Concepts



Explain it once

Museum projects are complex. My clients can explain their job once, to one designer.



Museum + Art Gallery

Ithra, Saudi Arabia 2020-2019
Gallery Redevelopment

Kirkudbright Art Gallery 2017-2015
Art Gallery Refurbishment

Chelmsford Museum 2018-2016
Museum Refurbishment

Torre Abbey

2013-2010
Museum Refurbishment

Designer from concept to completion during a £1.1 million refurbishment. Supplied design visuals for several galleries, completed construction drawings and tender duties.

“Torre Abbey had so much more to offer than I could possibly have expected… the story is told very well with the exhibits…”



Museum collections care

Your designer should understand best practices for conservation and display.



Transport

British Commercial Vehicle Museum 2018-2016
Museum Refurbishment

Bluebell Railway Museum 2017-2016
Steam Works Exhibition

Isle of Wight Steam Railway 2014-2012
Train Story

Bluebell Railway Museum 2011-2008
Sheffield Park Station Museum

Coventry Transport Museum 2010-2009
Ghost Town? Gallery



Adapt to your needs

No matter how many different artefacts you need to display, I can help you to tell your story.



War & Military

The Staffordshire Hoard is the greatest Anglo-Saxon golden treasure hoard found in the world…

One of the fantastic things about my job is that I can work with truly exceptional artefacts. I have twice been involved with projects displaying the enigmatic Staffardshire Hoard, and it was a real treat learning more about the history surrounding this mysterious collection of gold.

Tamworth Castle

2019-2018
Battle & Tribute Gallery

Royal Armouries, Leeds

2016
Warrior Treasure Temporary Exhibition

Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson

2008
Main Hall concept and detail design



Time to tell your story

I can take care of the designing, giving you time to focus on the curating.



Industrial Heritage

Museum of Cannock Chase 2014
Mining Memories gallery

Killhope Mining Museum 2015
Buddle House Gallery

Haig Mining Museum 2010-2012
Museum Refurbishment

Weaver Hall Museum 2014
Industrial Stories

Lion Salt Works

2008-2013
Restoration Project

Concept and detail design on a complex £8 million refurbishment to transform a crumbling monument into a visitor attraction highlighting the importance of the lost industry of open pan salt making.



Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

North West Awards, Highly Commended April 2015

NW Regional Construction Awards

Heritage Award 2015

Cheshire Marketing Awards

Best Newcomer 2015

Chester Civic Trust

Award for Community Conservation, 2015

Civic Trust

first prize national conservation awards 2016

National Museum + Heritage Award

For excellence for Conservation and Restoration 2016

National Lottery Awards

Best Heritage Project 2016

Northern Soul

Museum of the Year 2017

Sandford Award

for excellence 2017

Lion Salt Works

2008-2013
Restoration Project

Concept and detail design on a complex £8 million refurbishment to transform a crumbling monument into a visitor attraction highlighting the importance of the lost industry of open pan salt making.



Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

North West Awards, Highly Commended April 2015

NW Regional Construction Awards

Heritage Award 2015

Cheshire Marketing Awards

Best Newcomer 2015

Chester Civic Trust

Award for Community Conservation, 2015

Civic Trust

first prize national conservation awards 2016

National Museum + Heritage Award

For excellence for Conservation and Restoration 2016

National Lottery Awards

Best Heritage Project 2016

Northern Soul

Museum of the Year 2017

Sandford Award

for excellence 2017

Lion Salt Works

2008-2013
Restoration Project

Concept and detail design on a complex £8 million refurbishment to transform a crumbling monument into a visitor attraction highlighting the importance of the lost industry of open pan salt making.



Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

North West Awards, Highly Commended April 2015

NW Regional Construction Awards

Heritage Award 2015

Cheshire Marketing Awards

Best Newcomer 2015

Chester Civic Trust

Award for Community Conservation, 2015

Civic Trust

first prize national conservation awards 2016

National Museum + Heritage Award

For excellence for Conservation and Restoration 2016

National Lottery Awards

Best Heritage Project 2016

Northern Soul

Museum of the Year 2017

Sandford Award

for excellence 2017



Focussed on your project

Hire an experienced project partner who has time to focus solely on you.



Sporting Heritage

Tamworth Castle

Our Sporting Life

2011-2010

In the lead up to London 2012, I travelled from Largs to the Isle of Wight, working with museums to celebrate their unique sporting achievements, from grass roots to Olympic podia. Museums included:

River & Rowing Museum, Henley
National Football Museum
Harrow Museum
Bristol Records Office
World Rugby Museum, Twickenham
Woodhorn Museum, Northumberland
Buckinghamshire County Museum
Gallery Oldham
Ironbridge Gorge Museum
North Lincolnshire Museum
Milton Keynes Museum
Buckinghamshire County Museum
The Manx Museum
Wycombe Museum
Royal Yachting Association
Museum of English Rural Life
Bowes Museum

Local History

Yorkshire Dales National Park 2020-2019
Dairy Days Temporary Exhibition

Chester – A Life Story 2019-2018
Visitor Centre Design

National Justice Museum 2017-2014
New galleries

National Waterways Museum 2014
Ellesmere Port Exhibition

Weaver Hall Museum 2014
Gallery refurbishment

Hertford Museum 2008-2007
Museum Refurbishment

Beverly Treasure House 2006
Treasures Exhibition

Black Country Living Museum 2009
Interactive 3D Guide

Bexhill Museum 2008-2009
Museum Redevelopent

Cliffe Castle 2006
Keighley Stories

Stockwood Discovery Centre

2009-2007
Museum Redevelopment

The Stockwood Discovery Centre focussed on sustainabile design. It was a site-wide development project with collections including geology, archaeology, social history, rural crafts and the Mossman collection of carriages: the largest collection of its kind on display in the UK.



Museum & Heritage Awards

Winner of the Best Permanent Exhibition 2009

Museum & Heritage Awards

Winner of the Best Permanent Exhibition 2009



Good value

Museums can get the experience of a larger design team for a limited budget.



Matt worked with us to design two new galleries at two different museums, with tight budgets and challenging timescales.
Friendly, collaborative and unfazed by our small budgets and big expectations; he created engaging, interactive exhibitions that helped the museums reach out to new audiences.
Ruth Darling, Freelance Heritage Consultant