Design Museum Everywhere

2016 – 2020

Event Producer | Content Strategist

Approach

As a nomadic museum with no permanent location, Design Museum Portland faced the challenge of extending its mission—making design accessible to all—across multiple cities. The museum's goal was to engage a broad, diverse audience and showcase design’s impact on everyday life, all while working with limited budgets and minimal resources.

Key challenges included:

  • Scaling decentralized programming to reach communities in both Portland and Boston

  • Developing high-impact events with almost no budget, relying heavily on volunteer labor and donated goods and services

  • Securing sponsorships and donations to fund events, exhibitions, and museum operations

  • Ensuring the museum’s programs were inclusive, reaching people outside of the design community and making design approachable for all

Strategy

Design Museum Portland’s growth strategy was rooted in accessibility, community relevance, and sustainable growth. Operating without a singular physical location and with limited resources, the museum prioritized high-impact programming that brought design into everyday life, without gatekeeping or exclusivity.

Four key pillars guided this approach:

Accessibility and Engagement

Programming was intentionally casual, public-facing, and inclusive, creating opportunities for all audiences, not just design professionals. Events like Summer Story Hour and Design Museum Mornings invited open dialogue in familiar settings like coffee shops and neighborhood venues.

Sustainable Fundraising

With no permanent funding stream, the museum relied on a creative approach to fundraising. Donated spaces, auction items, and volunteer support allowed for robust programming. Flagship events like the annual gala became essential tools for financial sustainability.

Visibility and Cultural Presence

To build credibility without a central space, the museum leveraged design-focused exhibitions, such as WE Design, a showcase of creative careers, to spark national recognition and local relevance. Strategic storytelling, partnerships, and media placements helped increase visibility and position the museum as a leader in the field.

Programmatic Expansion

Beyond live events, the museum expanded into digital and print through initiatives like Design Museum Magazine. This allowed the museum to maintain year-round engagement, support thought leadership, and reach audiences beyond the Portland area.

Design is Everywhere

Design Museum Magazine brings the museum’s mission to the doorstep of every subscriber. The successful Kickstarter campaign that launched it relied on a comprehensive marketing and outreach campaign to museum donors, advocates, and fans.

Source: Design Museum Everywhere, Kickstarter

Key Project Achievements

  • Executed over 50 sell-out public events, including Summer Story Hour and Design Museum Mornings, which significantly raised the museum’s profile and engaged diverse audiences.

  • Raised over $50,000 through cash donations, securing vital funds for the museum’s operations and future programming.

  • Produced a record-breaking fundraising gala, securing over 60 donations for a silent auction and donated event space, resulting in the largest auction in the museum’s history.

  • Directed the nationally recognized opening of the WE Design exhibit, which was highlighted in multiple press outlets for its innovative approach to design and its engagement with the community.

  • Successfully participated in the launch of Design Museum Magazine, building on the museum’s reputation and expanding its reach to a larger audience.

My Role

As the Event Producer and Volunteer/Intern Program Lead, I was tasked with executing key programming and driving the museum’s mission forward through dynamic, community-driven events. My role required a blend of leadership, event management, and creative problem-solving, all while managing limited resources.

Key accomplishments and achievements include:

  • Event Production: Successfully produced and executed over two dozen sell-out events, including Summer Story Hour, Design Museum Mornings, and the Workplace Innovation Summit, attracting a diverse audience of design professionals and general public alike.

  • Fundraising & Sponsorship: Played a pivotal role in securing over $50k in funds through a combination of donations, sponsorships, and in-kind contributions. This was achieved through innovative fundraising strategies, including a record-breaking gala and a silent auction that garnered the largest collection of donations in the museum’s history.

  • Volunteer & Intern Leadership: Led the intern program, successfully recruiting, training, and mentoring over 40 interns during my tenure. Managed the efforts of nearly 20 volunteers for major events, ensuring seamless execution of tasks and alignment with the museum’s mission and values.

  • Exhibition Leadership: Directed the nationally-recognized opening of the WE Design exhibition, collaborating with design professionals and the museum’s internal team to create a highly impactful and engaging exhibit that received significant media attention.

  • Content Strategy & Social Media: Developed and managed content for the museum’s social media channels, significantly increasing audience engagement and promoting key events. This helped position the museum as a national leader in accessible design education.

  • Operational Management: Coordinated logistics for the museum’s events, from speaker sourcing and event setup to audience engagement. Managed budgets, event timelines, and worked closely with the Executive Director to ensure that each event was executed flawlessly.

  • Program Growth: Spearheaded the successful launch of Design Museum Magazine, expanding the museum’s impact by offering a new content platform that attracted a broader audience and reinforced the museum’s mission of design for everyone.

Sam Aquillano, Founder & Executive Director, Design Museum Everywhere

“Jordan sees a barrier, and instead of letting it stop her, she problem-solves around it. She did branding work, installed exhibitions, coordinated thought leaders, and mentored interns. And beyond her job description, she brought her savviness around process design and digital tools to help us all work smarter by developing key operational systems.”

Key Collaborators

Erica Rife

Sam Aquillano

Design Museum Board & Staff