Exhibition

Under the Brim

What can a hat reveal about who we were—or who we were expected to be? My exhibition proposal, Under the Brim, explores the cultural significance of hats—once powerful symbols of identity and society. Through interactive storytelling and playful discovery, visitors are invited to see hats not just as fashion or ordinary objects, but as storytellers. Re-examining the hats we once wore reveals the stories beneath them and sparks wider conversations about self-expression, belonging, and culture.

Table of Contents:
- Why Hats?
- Objectives
- Prototype
- The Visual Identity
- Merchandise

Why Hats?

Under the Brim isn’t just about hats—it’s about the people who wore them.

I’ve always been fascinated by the complex stories behind everyday objects, and hats have helped shape how we see individuals and entire eras.

This exhibition invites us under the brim to explore what hats reveal about identity, status, gender roles, profession, rebellion, and conformity. It encourages visitors not just to walk in others’ shoes, but to wear their hats—stepping into different lives, perspectives, values, and eras through a deceptively simple object.

Objectives

Reframe Hats as Storytellers

Highlight hats as carriers of personal, social, and cultural narratives across time.

Reflect Across Time

Invite visitors to consider how their clothing choices express identity, linking personal expression
to the enduring symbolism of hats throughout history and today.

Foster Curiosity

Inspire a deeper appreciation for everyday objects and the meanings they hold.

Engage Through Play

Use interactive, playful design to make learning enjoyable, memorable, and accessible for all ages.

Prototype

I created a 3D model of the Gender Norms: Brimming with Expectations section of the exhibition to visualize the visitors’ experience.

Interactive elements:
What Would This Hat Say About You?Conversations Across Time

The Visual Identity

The visual identity invites connection by focusing not just on hats, but on the people who wore them. It layers black-and-white photos and catalogue illustrations—combining lived experience with aspirational imagery to explore identity and social perception.

The layering encourages visitors to look closer and uncover the many layers of meaning hidden beneath the surface. Combining historic visuals with contemporary design bridges past and present, making history feel relevant and accessible.