Herman Boerhaave

To celebrate Herman Boerhaave’s 350th birthday, the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave launched a temporary exhibition that tracked his life through historic Leiden, from the botanical gardens straight into his home.

Instead of just lining up old scientific instruments and dusty archival documents, the exhibition uncovers a surprisingly modern narrative: Boerhaave’s relentless fight against 18th-century scientific misinformation. Through a rock and roll mix of bold visuals, tight spatial sequencing, and multimedia elements, the space transforms centuries-old medical history into a highly relevant story about truth, science, and lasting human impact.

I was the sole designer on this project, which meant taking full ownership of the exhibition’s visual design, graphic language, and material choices from initial concept down to final execution. My job was to build a reading logic and wayfinding system from scratch, using color and sharp typography to guide visitors through dense historical and medical data without letting them get lost in the weeds.

Flying solo meant working directly in the trenches with curators, content designers, and fabrication partners. I had to balance narrative clarity with physical spatial rhythms, pushing for a bold, contemporary aesthetic that intentionally contrasted with the antique subject matter. It was about proving that historical medical exhibitions don’t have to look clinical or dated to be deeply impactful.

• Owned the complete visual identity as the sole designer, driving the project from first sketch to final installation.
• Built an intuitive reading logic and wayfinding system using color and typography to guide visitors through dense medical data.
• Translated 18th-century history and scientific concepts into a high-impact, accessible spatial experience.
• Coordinated with curators and fabrication teams to perfectly align the narrative with physical spatial rhythms.