WHERE PLAY MEETS DESIGN

A partnership between Karen Katz Exhibit Design + Richardson Design

Karen Katz Exhibit Design and Richardson Design have joined forces to create environments where play, learning, and thoughtful design come together.

Together, we design spaces that engage children, families, and communities—transforming museums, parks, zoos, libraries, and civic spaces into places that spark imagination, creativity, and curiosity.

Karen Katz

Exhibit Designer
www.kkatzexhibitdesign.com

kkatzexhibitdesign@gmail.com
(216) 533-8886

Our Partnership

Led by Karen Katz, an exhibit designer with over 25 years of experience in creating interactive learning environments, this collaboration builds on her deep expertise in child-centered exhibit design and her thoughtful, research-driven approach to how young audiences learn through play.

As the former Director of Exhibits at The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, Karen oversaw the design of more than 20,000 square feet of exhibit space and continues to advise the Museum as it evolves. Her international experience includes the design of La Maison des Histoires in Paris—immersive storytelling spaces that invite children to step inside beloved French books.

Richardson Design brings a deep sensibility for interiors, materials, graphics, and the overall aesthetic feel of a space. Our role is to help shape the atmosphere around Karen’s exhibit concepts—crafting environments that feel immersive, intuitive, and emotionally resonant. Together, our collaboration pairs Karen’s child-centered insight with Richardson Design’s ability to shape the spatial narrative and aesthetic tone—creating environments that are playful, beautiful, and genuinely welcoming.

Our Philosophy

We believe that play is not a distraction from learning—it’s the heart of it. By combining child development insight with design excellence, we create environments that nurture curiosity, empathy, and creativity. Every detail, from spatial flow to material choice is thoughtfully designed to support open-ended exploration and self-directed learning.

Guiding Principles

Through Karen's research and life experience she developed four guiding ideas:

Open-Ended—Create environments that don’t prescribe every action but invite children to follow their individual interests and shape their own play experiences.

Loose Parts—Provide materials that children can move around and use in many ways, allowing them the freedom to experiment, invent, and build narratives.

Pretend Play—Children engage in more meaningful play when their imagination allows them to step into different roles and create stories.

Intelligent Design—Our work reflects a sophisticated, intentional design approach—one that honors the importance of play while delivering exhibits that are durable, safe, and beautifully made.

These principles mean that a play kitchen isn’t just a scaled-down appliance set — it’s a stage for storytelling. A climbing structure isn’t only for exercise — it’s a mountain, a bridge, a ship, or all three in a single afternoon. “If you give kids open-ended opportunities,” Karen explains, “they’ll surprise you every time.”

OUR COMBINED CAPABILITIES

We provide an integrated approach that guides each project from concept to completion:

1

Exhibit & Experience Design

We design interactive, story-based experiences that support learning through play and discovery. Our work integrates interpretive planning, content development, and hands-on engagement to create exhibits that are meaningful and dynamic.

2

Interior Design

We translate vision into place—shaping space, movement, materials, color, and light to support clarity, comfort, and intuitive flow. The end result is an environment that is welcoming, engaging and inspiring.

3

Environmental Graphic Design

We use graphic design to guide, inform, and connect. From way-finding to exhibit graphics, our work ensures visual clarity and consistency while reinforcing the story, tone, and mission of the institution.

4

Fabrication & project Management

Working with trusted fabrication and construction partners, we provide coordinated design-through-delivery support. This integrated approach streamlines communication, supports budget and schedule control, and ensures the built work aligns with the original design intent.

OUR PROCESS

PHASE 1:
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

This phase establishes the overall direction for the project. We define the exhibit’s core concept, learning objectives, and level of interactivity to ensure alignment with institutional goals and audience needs.

Concept development also sets clear parameters for scope, budget, and schedule, providing a practical framework for subsequent design and delivery phases.

PHASE 2:
SCHEMATIC DESIGN

Building on the approved concept, schematic design translates ideas into a defined spatial and visual framework. During this phase, we refine the floor plan, establish the visual language, and develop preliminary designs for individual exhibit elements.

A representative rendering is produced to communicate the intended look and organization of the space and to support decision-making prior to detailed documentation.

PHASE 3:
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

In this phase, all exhibit elements are fully documented for fabrication and installation. This includes construction drawings, graphic packages, and specifications for interactive and loose-part components.

These documents provide clear, coordinated instructions for fabricators and contractors, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and cost control during production and installation.

PHASE 4:
FABRICATION & INSTALLATION OVERSIGHT

During fabrication and installation, we coordinate with and provide oversight to the full project team—including fabricators, contractors, architects, graphic designers, and installers.

Our role is to ensure the work is executed in accordance with the approved design, budget, and schedule, and that all components integrate smoothly into the completed environment.

Abstract wavy lines with subtle lighting

WHERE WE WORK

Our projects span a diverse range of environments where people gather, explore, and learn:

Children’s Museums, Discovery Centers, Libraries & Educational Play Zones, Hospitality & Resorts

A Partnership Built on Collaboration

Clients benefit from our trusted network of specialists—including architects, educators, graphic designers, and fabricators—who bring every vision to life with precision and creativity. The result is a seamless, collaborative process that balances educational insight, aesthetic sophistication, and design excellence.

Abstract white spiral staircase with smooth curves

Let’s Create What’s Next

We invite you to imagine what play can do—for learning, connection, and community.
 Together, let’s create spaces that inspire the next generation of explorers, thinkers, and dreamers.

ABOUT

Karen Katz is an exhibit designer based in Cleveland, Ohio, specializing in the creation of interactive learning environments for young children and families. With over 25 years of experience in the field and a master’s degree in Museum Exhibition Planning and Design, Karen brings both deep expertise and a thoughtful, child-centered approach to every project.

As the former Director of Exhibits at The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, Karen led the design of over 20,000 square feet of exhibit space in the Museum’s new facility. She continues to serve as an advisor to the Museum, contributing to ongoing exhibit development as the institution evolves and grows.

In addition to her work in the United States, Karen designed the exhibits for La Maison des Histoires, with two locations in Paris, France. Each space invites children to step inside the pages of beloved French books.

With a strong understanding of how young children learn through play, she blends that insight with a sophisticated aesthetic—creating thoughtfully designed environments that support self-directed, open-ended exploration.

Clients benefit from Karen’s trusted network of collaborators—including architects, interior designers, graphic designers, and fabricators—who help bring each vision to life. This integrated team approach ensures every project is delivered with exceptional quality, creativity, and attention to detail—hallmarks of Karen’s reputation as a leader in the field.

ABOUT

Richardson Design is a full-service interior and graphic design studio that creates strategic, meaningful brand experiences. We “create the places where you want to be”- including hospitality, retail, and entertainment spaces.

Richardson’s studio is comprised of an integrated team of interior, graphic, and industrial designers, each with various specialties and backgrounds. Richardson Design approaches every project uniquely by first gaining an understanding of the targeted consumer and connecting with their behaviors through a combination of market trend research, brand narrative, and storytelling. The result of this unique approach, combined with an elite team of creatives, ultimately culminates in memorable and dynamic brand experiences that drive a high level of engagement and brand loyalty.

As a result of this proven approach, the studio has attracted some of the region’s most passionate and talented creative professionals who listen first, create purposeful environments supported by their foundation of practiced design principles, and who are agile, collaborative partners to companies that want to tell meaningful stories.

With over 25 years of experience, Richardson’s extensive portfolio has received many design accolades including notoriety from industry authorities for hallmark projects including those at The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Science Center, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Hill Dickenson Stadium in Liverpool, England; home of Everton F.C.