The National Portrait Gallery By: Nissen Richards Studio The ‘Inspiring People’ project  was a multi-million-pound remodelling of the National Portrait Gallery, aimed at broadening the collection on display and enhancing the storytelling power of portraiture. As interpretation and permanent exhibition designers across 48 galleries, Nissen Richards Studio’s role was to reconfigure the display within the Gallery to improve accessibility, inclusion, and visitor engagement. The practice’s approach focused on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, allowing visitors to connect with the portraits and the stories they tell. The goal was to craft a gallery people could relate to, fostering engagement through a reimagined visitor experience that highlighted both historical and contemporary figures. Working closely with the curatorial team, the Nissen Richards Studio team rethought the display strategy, integrating a wider range of narratives into the collection. At the new entrance, a series of sculptures raised on plinths greets visitors at eye level, providing immediate connection with significant figures from today and from history. This arrangement established an inclusive and engaging entry point, reinforcing the gallery’s role as a space for all. In the ticketing area, a dynamic film installation across the full height of the back wall was designed to encourage … Continue reading The National Portrait Gallery ‘Inspiring People’ Project