Harper Collins

Authors Shine in an Exhibit at a New Headquarters

In 2014, HarperCollins sought a world-class exhibit for its new global headquarters in lower Manhattan that would help build and solidify relationships with authors and build pride among employees. The 200-year-old publisher initially turned to History Factory for design help, but it realized that History Factory could not only design a world-class exhibit but also provide vital research, curation and execution.

We helped HarperCollins define the exhibit’s intent within the context of its business goals and then worked quickly to build a plan and define vital exhibit characteristics. These included designs and message maps to clearly document the specific stories and experiences that would appear across the five floors of the headquarters. Curators then crafted stories and identified artifacts that would complement the exhibit design and convey the rich character of HarperCollins.

Installation was completed within the very aggressive timeline dictated by the
move-in date. Exhibits featuring renowned authors such as Herman Melville, Mark Twain, Harper Lee, E.B. White, Paul Bowles, C.S. Lewis and Agatha Christie now grace the dramatic lobby and other spaces throughout the office. Historical moments and influential people from HarperCollins’ history are highlighted alongside the latest works by today’s literary geniuses.