elsonstudio.comelsonstudio is the design practice of Christine Elson. We work with cultural institutions and organizations to spatialize stories through the creation of narrative environments - including museum and art exhibitions, science centres, public spaces and urban planning. Clients include the Detroit Institute of Arts, Waterfront Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum, the Ottawa Art Gallery, the University of Waterloo's Institute of Quantum Computing, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Royal Ontario Museum.

Bespoke Cultural Collective is a forward-looking consultancy specializing in strategy, planning, communications and design for clients within the cultural, creative and commercial sectors.As a one-stop shop for clients operating within the cultural and creative sectors, we deliver everything from visioning and feasibility studies through to experience design, cultural programming, interpretive planning, project management and audience development strategies. Rather than rely on ‘off the shelf’ solutions, we work closely with our clients to design custom methodologies and designs that thoughtfully respond to individual needs. Our interdisciplinary outlook enables us to create new and unexpected opportunities for our clients.Most recently, I have completed the exhibition design for an Iroquoian Longhouse Reconstruction at the Crawford Lake Conservation Area near Milton, Ontario. The project is currently in final construction and involves an immersive theatrical space titled the "Inclusive Circle"; a multi-functioning exhibit and learning space titled the "Living Lab"; and a more traditional reconstruction of a longhouse interior, layered with interpretive elements. Project completion is expected September 2014.

As 3D Exhibition Designer I was responsible for the conceptualization, development and overseeing realization of exhibition design projects at the Royal Ontario Museum which involved a significant spatial experience. The position required the ability to collaborate with and balance the needs of a team of curators, conservators, technicians, preparators, graphic designers and accessibility consultants. During my contract I designed an exhibition within the Canada’s First Peoples gallery titled Sovereign Allies / Living Cultures; an exhibition in the Textiles Gallery titled BIG; a temporary platform installation titled Walk on the Moon; and a pair of large sculptural stainless-steel plinths showcasing the dinosaur Futalognkosaurus in the museum’s atrium space. I also worked on developing the conceptual groundwork for the blockbuster exhibition, Mesopotamia, as well as case layouts.

I joined Oxford’s senior management and marketing departments to design, and develop content, and project manage three mobile, modular exhibits, “Environmental Building Systems,” “Waste,” and “Targets.” I designed the first two exhibits to use the same modular framework and the third as a series of plinths that can be spaced apart or grouped together. All exhibits were displayed in 27 high-traffic lobby locations across Canada, including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Mississauga. I also oversaw and coordinated the transportation and installation of the exhibits at each site.I am currently in the design development stage of a fourth iteration of the project, which incorporates interactive technology.

I worked in close collaboration with the international installation artist, An Te Liu, on the development, fabrication, and installation of Cloud (2008) and Blast (2011). Both works are complex suspended sculptural installations. Originally commissioned for the 2008 Venice Biennale, Cloud has travelled from Berlin to Ireland, Denmark, Toronto and San Francisco. Blast was commissioned by the independent Toronto gallery MKG 127. I produced a series of detailed design documents, coordinating with structural engineers and installation crews at all galleries, to ensure a smooth installation process. Most recently I worked as exhibit designer and project manager of Matter, a video installation piece currently on exhibition at Og2, Oakville Galleries. For Matter I was responsible for the entire installation; researching and sourcing specialized technology, and coordinating with the gallery installation crew and animateurs.