While interning at The Henry Ford Museum, I had the opportunity to design the latest rotation for What We Wore, a collections platform that highlights different garments from the THF collection. This rotation, Off to Work We Go, features a variety of 20th-century work uniforms, from a postal carrier to a fast-food worker, offering a glimpse into the lives of the people who wore them. 

The visual identity of the case incorporates a repeating ribbon motif, echoing mod-20th-century design trends and connecting the different uniforms through a unifying aesthetic. I chose a navy blue color palette with a pop of red and yellow on the reader rail, providing a subtle contrast that enhances the viewer’s focus on the garments themselves while lending visual interest to the case layout. 

This rotation of What We Wore came together through close collaboration with the talented THF team, including Jeanine Head Miller’s expertise into the historical context of each piece and Kate Herron’s careful work in displaying the garments. A special thanks to Bradley Hinken and the Exhibits Team for making the custom reader rail come to life and installing the exhibit.