Happy Reading

Label writing is the type of activity that does not immediately strike a chord with many people but museum folk are different - a label that concisely explains to the visitor what a particular item on display is, and why it is worthy of their attention, is a joy to all who labour over these.

The next few weeks will see the team at Aotea Utanganui - Museum of South Taranaki writing for all we are worth. Each object on display has to have a label. These are a key interpretive tool and central to how the visitor "reads" the exhibition. In addition there is introductory text that welcomes and offers a brief guide as to what a visitor might expect to see, and thematic labels that sum up the main themes of the exhibition.

Every word is scrutinised to ensure that it is precise and accurate and that the meaning and intent is clear. An editor will check for continuity of style, grammar and spelling, and a fact-checker will make sure that the information is correct. Once the label has passed these gruelling tests the graphic artist lays the text out.

The typeface, the font size, spacing - every aspect is considered, as a label that is difficult to read is almost worse than none at all. A proof copy  allows a final check and then it is off to the printer.

The last stage is installation - labels have to be placed in proximity to the object they describe, and also in the optimal position so that the text is clear to the visitor. Lighting has to be angled so that both the object and the label are clearly visible.

All this so that you, the museum visitor can skim across the label and, at a glance, take in all the pertinent information and move on....... happy reading everyone!