By Sara J. Pinkham and Krista Hershberger
As the creative coordinator for the University of Iowa Libraries, Lauren Coghlan manages visual design across all seven libraries, creating everything from print materials to signage. As an artist, Lauren is always especially excited about one of the more unique challenges of the job: creating the look and feel for Main Library Gallery exhibitions.
“As the exhibit designer, it’s my job to create and facilitate production of all printed collateral for each exhibit,” explains Lauren. This includes the panels inside the cases and on the walls, vinyl on the walls and windows, exhibit guides, artwork labels, posters, digital slides, and any other pieces unique to a specific project. Lauren loves that no two exhibits are the same. “I have total creative freedom and it’s great to be more artistic and work with my hands more,” she explains.
While guest curators for each Main Library Gallery exhibit research, select objects for display, and write the educational narrative, Lauren ensures that the presentation is visually compelling and immersive through graphic design.
“The overall feel of the exhibition is a collaboration between myself and the curator,” says Lauren. “The curators often have some idea of what they are looking for, but it’s my job to interpret those ideas into a cohesive look for each exhibit.”
Lauren brainstormed design concepts with guest curator Rich Dana, the Sackner Archive Project coordinator librarian for Special Collections and Archives, for the spring 2025 exhibit, A Roll of the Dice: Symbolism in the Sackner Archive. She chose a bold aesthetic with red and black colors, and was influenced by specific objects in the exhibit and by Dadaism, the broader art movement which inspired some of the works on display.
A Roll of the Dice follows the influence of an 1897 work by French Symbolist poet Stéphane Mallarmé. His avant-garde poem “Un coup de dés jamais n’abolira le hasard” [A throw of the dice will never abolish chance] ultimately contributed to graphic design as we know it today by challenging print design customs of the time. The pioneering poem later lent itself well to Dada artwork and showed up frequently during this brief movement in post-World War I Europe (ca. 1915-1922). Like the poem itself, Dadaism challenged traditional notions of beauty and form through art. Since its publication, artists and writers have continued to explore the mystery of “Un coup” and its revolutionary layout by reprinting and creating their own versions of the poem, or crafting works influenced by it, through a wide variety of mediums.
“I was inspired by the design of many covers of ‘Un coup,’ many of which feature a white background, black and red borders, and red and black text,” says Lauren “On a broader level, I was inspired by Dadaism. Dada designers often used black, white, and red elements along with bold, condensed typefaces in their designs.”
Once design is finalized for an exhibit and printed panels have arrived, Lauren also helps with installation alongside other Libraries colleagues. Exhibit production for the Main Library Gallery involves a core project team that works for months ahead of opening day. Exhibition and Engagement Coordinator Sara Pinkham manages the production process and logistics for each exhibit from start to finish, along with directing day-to-day gallery operations. Conservator Technician and Exhibit Preparator Bill Voss starts building custom display mounts for each object weeks before installation begins, ensuring that materials selected by curators are shown safely and elegantly. University Conservator Giselle Simón determines conservation treatment needs for materials ahead of display, handles necessary framing, and helps facilitate item loans. Giselle, Bill, and their colleagues in Conservation and Collections Care carry out prescribed treatments before exhibit installation. This can mean careful removal of adhesives, binding repairs, gentle cleaning, and more depending on the conditions of the selected materials.
A Roll of the Dice featured a few unique endeavors for the Main Library Gallery, including an extensive vinyl installation around the inside perimeter. Lauren designed, printed, and applied the vinyl, along with support from the team.
“This piece required a lot of forethought, but seeing it come together—and that my math was correct—was fun,” Lauren remarks. “I also conquered my fear of ladders after having to be on one for over twelve hours to place the vinyl on the walls.”
When asked what advice she would give to graphic design students working with larger physical spaces, Lauren emphasized accessibility and user experience along with logistical preparation.
“Put accessibility into the forefront of the design process,” she says. “This includes thinking about the space needed to maneuver wheelchairs, placing wall panels at accessible heights, color contrast for increased legibility, and choosing font sizes for effective reading. I am always learning about how I can increase accessibility in my work, and I encourage others to do the same. I also strongly recommend taking the time to create to-scale mockups of the space you’re designing for. I’ve found it extremely helpful to have all decisions about installation layout and measurements made before installation begins.”
A Roll of the Dice: Symbolism in the Sackner Archive is open through June 27, 2025. Learn more about the exhibit and the Main Library Gallery’s open hours at lib.uiowa.edu/gallery. The Main Library Gallery is free and open to the public.