The River Has Teeth Monsters, Myth, and You in the Florida Everglades

Steven Coward
Exhibition and Experience Design

About this Item

Title
The River Has Teeth Monsters, Myth, and You in the Florida Everglades
Contributor Names
Coward, Steven (Author)
Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York. Exhibition and Experience Design (Degree granting institution)
Cowan, Brenda (Thesis advisor)
Date
2024
Degree Information
M.A. Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York 2024
Department: Exhibition and Experience Design
Advisor: Brenda Cowan
Committee members: Christian Lyons; Brooke Carlson; Sara DeAngelis
Includes supplementary digital materials.
Abstract
This document is organized in two sections. Part One outlines the theory of use and intent with regards to wayside signage and interpretive trails in outdoor spaces, while Part Two implements this theory in an applied project.
In Part One, my research was largely focused on the visitor experience in natural landscapes and outdoor exhibits. A large part of that research was centered on the introduction of narrative and storytelling as a means to enhance the existing experience and create memorable exhibits. Through various interviews, prototype testing, and additional research, I've investigated the successes and limitations of what is possible, informative, and enjoyable in nature-based outdoor exhibits. The thesis statement identifies several key methodologies that can be executed in future outdoor interpretive spaces.
In Part Two, this theory is applied to an outdoor exhibition project, The River has Teeth; Monsters, Myth, and You in the Florida Everglades. This project explores the implementation of narrative and storytelling devices in unfacilitated outdoor exhibits to interpret existing ecological issues into a relatable and playful messaging for visitors to these spaces.
This thesis project explores the design opportunity for expanding outdoor exhibits and the design implications that come with them. It presents the potential ways in which exhibition designers can expand existing exhibit strategies to connect audiences to their surroundings.
Subject
Landscape architecture
Museum studies
Psychology, Experimental
Keyword
Everglades (Fla.)
Exhibition design
Interpretive trail
National parks and reserves
Outdoor exhibit
Wayside exhibit
Rights
In Copyright
The copyright for this work is held by its author/creator(s). Usage of this material beyond what is permitted by copyright law must first be cleared with the rights-holder(s). This work has been made available online by the Fashion Institute of Technology Gladys Marcus Library strictly for research and educational purposes. If you are the copyright holder for this work and have any objections to this work being made available online, please notify us immediately at [email protected].
This item must not be sold to any third party vendors.
Identifier
FIT Repository ID: etd_001008
URN/ISBN: 9798302852915
Related Materials
Also available from ProQuest
Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 86-07.
Type
Text
Thesis
Language
English
Publisher
Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations & Theses,

Citation

Coward, S. (2024). The River Has Teeth Monsters, Myth, and You in the Florida Everglades [Master's thesis, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York]. FIT Institutional Repository. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/599947
Coward, Steven. The River Has Teeth Monsters, Myth, and You in the Florida Everglades. 2024. Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, Master's thesis. FIT Digital Repository, https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/599947
Coward, Steven. "The River Has Teeth Monsters, Myth, and You in the Florida Everglades." Master's thesis, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, 2024. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/599947