Kellenberger–White designed the graphics for two temporary exhibitions at the V&A with the aim of eliminating waste. ‘The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence’ and ‘Marie Antoinette Style’ were very different in content and curatorial approach.

Building on OMMX’s flexible, modular exhibition design and ZNA’s lighting design, we used paper as the basis for both shows’ graphics to help the museum achieve its net-zero goals. Not only is paper easy to recycle but both the Mughal and French Empires were known for paper-maché. We chose a conservation grade paper and where possible we made use of existing V&A supplies, salvaging material from across the museum.

For the graphic language of ‘The Great Mughals’, we chose a geometric sans serif, Plotter, acknowledging the geometric basis of much Mughal decoration and to offset the intricacy of many of the objects on display. We also created the letters of the exhibition title at the show’s entrance in paper-maché.

With intelligent typography and appropriate materials, we designed two exhibitions that were conceptually and aesthetically strong and addressed the pressing issue of making temporary exhibitions sustainable.