EPISODE 2

The Exhibit Designer’s Playbook: Building Meaningful Spaces

Featuring Jason Jay Stevens of Flutter & Wow

Hafsah and Yen sit down with Jason Stevens, a creative force in exhibit design and the founder of Flutter and Wow Museum Projects. With a career spanning decades, Jason has played a key role in designing and implementing museum exhibits, interactive technologies, and immersive storytelling experiences. Jason shares insights into how curiosity, adaptability, and storytelling shape the world of museum design. He also reflects on the challenges of leading a creative team, the importance of accessibility in exhibit design, and why history museums are more vital than ever.

"We're just in an age right now where there's a lot of waking up to history. Revision is usually used in a negative way. But we're revising the old White narrative which is so corrupt, so dishonest about the history of this country and the history of the world. We just happen to be in a moment where it's acceptable to challenge the old, White narrative and there's a lot of exciting stuff happening.”
- Jason

Key takeaways from this episode

  1. Your Career Path Doesn’t Have to Be Linear – Jason’s journey started in art school, shifted to writing, and eventually led to museum exhibit design. A willingness to adapt and explore different disciplines can create unexpected opportunities.

  2. Leadership is About Growth, Not Perfection – Managing a creative team means continuously learning, adapting, and becoming a better version of yourself every day.

  3. Exhibit Design is Storytelling in Every Form – Whether it’s an interactive science exhibit or a deeply moving historical memorial, museum design is about crafting compelling narratives through physical space.

  4. Multimodality is Key to Accessibility – Great exhibits engage multiple senses, making learning accessible to all visitors, regardless of their background or abilities.

  5. The Power of Asking for Opportunities – Sometimes, knocking on a door (literally) can lead to career-changing opportunities. Jason got his first museum job by simply walking in and asking for it.

  6. History Museums are at the Forefront of Change – There is a shift happening in how history is told, with a focus on challenging old narratives and amplifying diverse voices.