The Iron Chef Constraint

Iron Chef was a Japanese cooking show, later adapted for the U.S. The premise was totally unreasonable.

First, the host declared a surprise ingredient, like: Shrimp!

Then he gave two chefs one hour to invent a five-course meal around it, using that ingredient in every course, including dessert.

The constraint was absurd. 

It was also the source of the creativity.

The same concept works in exhibition design.

Most of our constraints narrow the possibilities a little. Low budget. Tight space. Rush schedule — the usual.

But sometimes a constraint is so extreme, it becomes the organizing idea.

> The whole install has to happen inside Parliament in an hour.

> All the core exhibitions have to move elsewhere every night.

> A painting gallery where nothing can touch the historic walls.

(All real situations of ours, BTW.)

Now the design team can't mull infinite possibilities. Instead, you start thinking, "How can I turn this into something interesting?"

That narrower question can produce surprising variety. Surprisingly, it can also create a more coherent design. 

Of course, an Iron Chef Constraint doesn't magically create good design on its own. Creativity comes from leaning into it and exploiting it, not just obeying it.

Here's the thing:

When a project presents a seemingly ridiculous limitation, maybe it's not a problem.

Maybe it's the surprise ingredient.

Shrimp!

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Word of the Day:
Install. [IN-stall] [Emphasis on first syllable.] Noun. A common industry shortening of the word "installation." "How did the IN-stall of the new display case go this weekend?"