May the Zithers
Sing Merrily

Scenography, visual identity,
and exhibition design at the
Museum of Ethnography
Budapest.

2025

Fields

Services

Exhibitions
Museums

Visual Identity
Editorial
Motion Graphics
Installation

The entire design process was carried out in-house: from spatial, scenographic, and interaction design to graphic identity, working together closely with the curators to shape the exhibition as a whole. Overseeing the process from start to finish allows us to create a cohesive and engaging visitor experience.

The graphic identity was developed in conjunction with the spatial and curatorial concepts. The abstract shapes and rhythmic lines draw inspiration from the zither’s form and vibrations, translating the instrument’s visual and acoustic qualities into a contemporary visual system.

This project represents our commitment to design spaces that connect heritage with people through interaction and a shared cultural experience.

Alongside the nearly 90 instruments on display, the experience is enriched by 20 audio recordings and 3 films

CHALLENGES

SOLUTIONS

The zither is a communal instrument, and to preserve this sense of connection, we wanted to avoid simply showcasing zithers. This meant creating an installation where we encourage interaction rather than simple observation, and the instruments could be kept safe without a glass display.

The installation was designed to eliminate physical barriers between visitors and objects while still meeting conservation standards. The instruments were not placed behind glass, yet remained protected and accessible.

Visitors had the opportunity to play two real zithers placed in the exhibition. These hands-on elements offered an intimate experience with the instrument’s sound and design.

Through a custom-designed app, visitors could explore the results of a large-scale collection campaign. Hundreds of submissions: videos and photos of zither players and communities were displayed on an interactive map, visualizing where zither culture is alive today and allowing visitors to dive into the musical diversity of the region.

Designed primarily for younger generations, part of the space invites visitors to trace stencil-like patterns found on real zithers using coloured pencils, reflecting the way zithers are often personalised. Later, children can search for these shapes in the objects and even create their own zither decoration.

At the heart of the exhibition is a stage that functions both as a concert venue and a social gathering point. It transforms the museum into a communal space, hosting live zither performances and allowing audiences to experience the music first-hand.

Client
Curator
Curator’s assistants
Ethnomusicologist supervisor
Experts
Scenography and Exhibition Design
Installation construction
Graphic Design

Digital content and software development
Project coordination and production management
Photography
Demonstration instruments
Lighting, sound and projection
Museum education

Museum of Ethnography
Krisztina Pálóczy


Villő Ilona Maczó, Viktória Wittmann


István Pávai
Ferenc Borsi, József Brauer-Benke
DE_VISION (Nóra Demeczky, Júlia Bálint, Tamás Boldizsár)
BÉFLEX
DE_FORM (Enikő Déri, Nóra Demeczky, Zsófia Ecsedi, Benedek Regős, Zsuzsa Oláh, László Kőhegyi, Bertalan Bessenyey)
DE_VISION (Nóra Demeczky, Júlia Bálint, Zsuzsa Oláh, Gábor Papp)
Tünde Balogh, Edith Nagel
László Kőhegyi
Sándor Balogh
Tamás Lipécz, György Reisz
István Éliás, DE_VISION