The Project:
Curate and display a selected collection of historical artifacts that highlight GSK’s rich legacy and its longstanding presence in Philadelphia.
The Challenge:
Fiore Design collaborated closely with the in-house librarian and curator at GSK to develop a comprehensive and visually engaging historical display that showcased the evolution of the company from the 1800s to the present day. The physical design of the display needed to complement an existing exposed brick wall and a centrally positioned monitor, and needed to work with the shelving that was in place.
The Strategy and Creative Solution:
We received boxes of artifacts as well as digital files of old advertisements from a GSK historian that we could choose from to create a compelling display. We narrowed down the selection to 30 artifacts that would fit the space and touch upon important discoveries. These pieces ranged from product advertisements and disease awareness posters to penicillin boxes and baby food tins all varying in size, material, and historical significance. These pieces all came together to effectively tell the story of the company’s growth, innovation, and legacy over more than two centuries. We designed the text cards that told the importance of each piece and worked with our production partner to create custom cases to hold and protect each artifact. This required careful planning to maintain visual balance to ensure the physical elements of the display enhanced the overall storytelling experience. Senior graphic designer, Brianna Protesto, a trained muralist, hand painted the original Glaxo logo on the brick wall as a special touch and a nod to Philadelphia being known as the mural capital of the world.
The Result:
The result is showstopper moment within the space. The installation not only captivates visual presence but also serves as a powerful storytelling tool. It invites employees and visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the company milestones that have shaped modern medicine. In turn it fosters a sense of pride and inspiration which reinforces GSK’s ongoing commitment to improving lives through science and innovation.
