A sneak peek at some of the fun, the research, the innovation, and the hard work that take BrownKnows Design’s projects from concept to creation!
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Dino head model with in-progress framework for Dino Dig, Cheyenne Children's Museum
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Absorbing history: Inside the Globe Theater, replica of Shakespeare's most-used space (London, England)
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Some of the dozens of "white models" created for scenic and exhibit designs over the years (in Jeff's office)
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Calm before the storm: Jeff's desk before beginning to construct a white model for the scenic design of INTO THE WOODS
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Digital engineer Daniel programs circuits for some interactive components at Otter Cove Children's Museum (Fergus Falls, MN)
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The "command center" for programming lighting cues for SPAMALOT at Duluth Playhouse
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Just beginning to transform the Lake Life Exhibit at Children's Discovery Museum (Grand Rapids, MN)
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Working on the Headless Horseman for Minnesota Ballet's SLEEPY HOLLOW
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Playing with lighting the Headless Horseman for Minnesota Ballet's SLEEPY HOLLOW
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The previous fabrication shop was at capacity with multiple projects in progress simultaneously
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One portion of the train set for Minnesota Ballet's NUTCRACKER 2021
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Our 3D printer allows us to make scale models of exhibit components like these from Duluth Children's Museum's toddler room
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The shop facility purchased in Feb. 2022 became the new headquarters for BKD!
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An old automotive shop, this space required some hefty scraping of the floor and other upgrades to be ready for action
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Years' worth of old paint & dirt scraped off the shop floor -- Looks like a piece of art!
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Jeff and Ashley representing BKD at the Association of Children's Museums conference, 2022
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Investing in a CNC machine has allowed us to cut intricate shapes more quickly and precisely
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Layers of a special hardening foam will become a realistic crawl-through log for Otter Cove Children's Museum
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Absorbing history: The world's first theater, Theater of Dionysus (Athens, Greece)
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A bunch of custom maple vitrines and reader rails, ready to be packed and installed at the Hjemkomst Center (Moorhead, MN)
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Some of the dozens of new informational story panels designed for the Hjemkomst Center (Moorhead, MN)
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BrownKnows Design needed to create 90 new feet of wall to retell the story of the Hjemkomst!
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The BKD crew on break in Moorhead, MN at the original home of the DQ Dilly Bar!
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Model compared to finished product -- "Build a Nest" framework for Adams Homestead (N. Sioux City, SD)
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Source photo compared to mural -- for Adams Homestead (N. Sioux City, SD)
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Ashley layering in flora and fauna for a "pollinators" mural for Adams Homestead (N. Sioux City, SD)
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A lot going on in the paint shop -- components for Adams Homestead as well as for a production of NUNSENSE (Boat Club, Duluth, MN)
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Gotta test it out -- fabricators Hallie, Zach, & Nelson work on a climber prototype for WonderTrek museum (Brainerd, MN)
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Progress on an artificial rock and a mural that will be transported to Adams Homestead (N. Sioux City, SD)
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Ashley is delighted by the results of a mold that she created to form the bark of a replica cottonwood tree at Adams Homestead (N. Sioux City, SD)
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Jeff, Hallie, Ashley, and Zach after a long day of exhibit installation at Adams
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Awesome custom metal footers for outdoor signage on the trails at the Adams Homestead (N. Sioux City, SD)
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Like a blank canvas, this portion of the Adams Homestead visitor's center is about to be transformed into a log cabin replica!
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The multiple stages of base color, detail paints, and sealants that result in a very realistic replica cottonwood tree in the Nature Play Zone at Adams Homestead (N. Sioux City, SD)
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Hanging life-sized native bird images near the cottonwood and mural that have been installed in the Nature Play Zone at Adams Homestead (N. Sioux City, SD)
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Testing out the trap door and lighting effects for SCROOGE at Duluth Playhouse