Located in Teesdale, Durham, The Bowes Museum is a hidden treasure, home to internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts, all displayed under the roof of an ornate 19th century French Chateau.
The web project was a particularly involved technical build, working with an existing Spektrix set up that no longer served the client’s needs. HdK worked closely with Spektrix and MHM to build a user journey that actively prioritised The Bowes Museum’s new membership focussed ticket structure. Using the Spektrix API we devised a purchase path that adds Memberships to the customer’s basket along with their admission ticket. This allows Bowes to build their Membership database while maintaining their attendance reporting on their day ticket sales.
In addition to Spektrix, HdK built a brand new WooCommerce based e-commerce website on a shop subdomain. We collaborated with Spektrix, exploring options to integrate the two systems, which resulted in the creation of a system to programmatically cross reference the two customer databases. This allows The Bowes Museum’s Friends Members a 10% discount to WooCommerce orders, providing they use the same customer email address. This was a key breakthrough in establishing a relationship between Spektrix and another custom system which we coded in advance and in anticipation of Spektrix’s new custom payments feature which is soon to arrive.
The WooCommerce shop site also connects seamlessly to Vend, an Epos system that HdK procured for The Bowes Museum due to its native WooCommerce integration. This enables the client to enter products which can be sold in store and online from one staff interface and to effortlessly have new product information updated in real time.
Branding
Our design team created a brand new, colour and icon-focused design system inspired by the Museum’s elaborate architecture and grounds. From there, The Bowes Museum commissioned us to develop it further into an entire branding toolkit.
The new colour palette defines the museum’s identity. Each tint takes visual reference from significant art and design pieces in The Bowes’ collection, a reminder that ‘everything is art.’
Drawing on the architecture and interior design of The Bowes Museums’ impressive building, HdK created a bank of geometric shapes that form the visual identity of the brand. This iconography is infused with the fabric of the building, creating a visual synergy and familiarity between the brand and its location.
After establishing a foundation of brand building blocks, we developed a full scale visual identity for The Bowes Museum following the rules of combination, balance and consistency. This was rolled out across every facet of the project: website, photography, film, signage and print material.
Photography
HdK worked to develop a portfolio of promotional photography for The Bowes Museum. We managed a number of photoshoots onsite at the museum, after liaising with local councils, photographers, model agencies and family models to capture different demographics of people enjoying all that the museum has to offer.
We very much look forward to our continuing work with The Bowes Museum in supporting their technical, training, branding, photography and design needs and developing our close relationship with Spektrix.
HdK designed and built The Bowes Museum’s new website to the Museum’s extensive brief. They collaborated with the Museum’s strategic consultants and internal team to launch a contemporary yet elegant website. Whilst working on the website the Museum defined a brief for a refreshed brand to implement a new brand look and feel for its promotion and digital platforms. HdK’s design team executed this project very effectively. Additionally, HdK were part of a team that facilitated the integration of existing software systems and implemented onsite and online retail systems. We continue to work with HdK to develop our website and look forward to continuing to develop our digital offerings in line with our ambitious strategy.