Exhibition design, curation and installation
In just three weeks, I designed, curated, and installed an interactive exhibition at the WFP Innovation Accelerator offices for the Innovation Forum. The goal was to creatively showcase WFP innovation, from early-stage ideas to field-tested solutions, for a high-level audience of partners, donors, and UN colleagues.
The exhibition’s theme, Seeds to Scale-ups, inspired the concept of a greenhouse, a space where ideas grow. I also led the event branding, ensuring visual cohesion across all materials.
Planning began with sketching the space by on a whiteboard and mapping the modular, reusable assets that could be easily transported to future events. Sustainability, durability, and timelessness were key, I avoided dated metrics or fragile URLs, focusing on long-lasting storytelling tools. (Yes, even the QR codes have editable URLs for project use longevity!)
To make the experience interactive, we turned guests' existing name badges into Seeds to Scale-ups cards made from plantable paper. These cards directed visitors to different stations, each featuring a hands-on activity. Completing activities earned them a custom stamp, encouraging full engagement in a non-linear, free-flowing space.
1. Innovation Timeline
Originally created by me for the office opening in 2024, this visual timeline of WFP milestones was updated for the Forum. It included trivia and a rocket stamp for those who completed it.
2. Farm to Market Alliance
Inspired by real-life Farmer Service Centres, visitors could take a mini quiz and become honorary Climate Smart Agriculture Champions, earning a badge and sticker.
3. Nilus App Demo
With support from the Latin America team, attendees tested a budget challenge using Nilus’s food distribution app to build a nutritious school meal.
4. SCOUT Card Game: Race Against Hunger
In collaboration with Jose Sheata, we developed a fast-paced card game simulating emergency supply chain planning. Players had to deliver food amid real-world constraints like budget, time, and logistics. Most players failed: a deliberate design choice to show the value of digital tools like SCOUT in solving these complex challenges.
The Innovation Greenhouse was more than an exhibit — it was a lived experience of innovation. It brought WFP projects to life through play, learning, and exploration. Modular and reusable, the installation was built to scale and inspire, well beyond a single event.
Copyright © Carita Marsili
