Design Case: Casson Mann

design case: designers with multi-disciplinary approach

Casson Mann, the London design company founded by Dinah Casson and Roger Mann, has made an international name for itself creating exhibition designs including the Hollywood Costume exhibition for the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The partners, whose 16-strong firm works on different areas of museum design from permanent galleries to temporary and touring exhibitions, as well as interior design and architecture, have a close affinity to their home city.

They say: "Both partners were born in London - and it is a city with much to offer our profession."

Their reputation also has international reach, bolstered by their awards. The latter awards included a 2013 D&AD In Book Award (Spatial Design Category) and a 2013 92nd Art Directors Club Awards, Bronze - both for Hollywood Costume, at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, as well as success in the Museums and Heritage Awards and the MUSE Award for Interpretive Interactive Installations (for "Atmosphere… Exploring Climate Science" at Science Museum, London.)

International clients include:

• Cité des Civilisations du Vin, Bordeaux, France. Opens 2016. Client: Cité des Civilisations du Vin & Marie De Bordeaux. Partnership with French architects, XTU.
• Lascaux IV Visitor’s Centre, Montignac, France. Opens 2015. Client: Conseil General de la Dordogne. Partnership with Norwegian architects Snohetta, and French architect Duncan Lewis.
• Benjamin Franklin Museum, Philadelphia., 2013. Client: National Park Service / Pew Charitable Foundation.
• MAST, Bologna, 2013. Client: GD / Coesia.

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Of the studio's international credentials, the partners say:

"We have worked on projects in Europe, America, and the Middle East.  Last year our temporary exhibition, Hollywood Costume, was on display in Melbourne, MAST (a new centre for manufacturing, technology and arts) opened in Bologna, and after 5 years the Benjamin Franklin Museum opened in Philadelphia. We currently have overseas work continuing in Lascaux and Bordeaux."

Despite this international success, the partners remain committed to operating out of London.

They explain:

"The very strong design education programme during the 70s and 80s educated a generation of interesting, creative people. Some of them became musicians, some artists, some politicians. Those who remained designers have built up practices engaged in diverse fields of work, and, because we work in an area that requires big, multidisciplinary teams, London is an ideal place to be based.

"It is also a Mecca for designers working in new media, and these are people we work with a lot."

For more information visit  www.cassonmann.co.uk