Lexington Visitors Center
Inspiring Modern Visitors to Explore a Booming City
Project Overview
VisitLEX, the visitor center of Lexington, Kentucky, sought to create an engaging and interactive space that reflects the city’s modern identity while honoring its deep-rooted history. Relocating to a renovated historic building in the city center, the project embraced architectural constraints to develop an open, flexible floor plan, allowing visitors to freely explore and craft their own journey through the space.
The goal was to attract a younger, newer generation to the visitor center experience by designing a multi-layered storytelling environment. This approach seamlessly integrated historical artifacts, digital media, interpretive displays, and retail moments, offering varying levels of engagement for a diverse audience. Beyond providing information, the space was designed to be a welcoming hub—a place to recharge, relax, find inspiration, and plan a meaningful visit to the city.
Building a Narrative System
The design of the space was conceived as an evolving narrative system, where every element—walls, displays, and digital touchpoints—worked together to guide visitors through the stories of Lexington. Rather than static exhibits, the environment was designed to be flexible and interactive, allowing for a storytelling experience that could adapt over time.
The walls functioned as storytelling canvases, integrating interpretive narratives, digital media, and historical artifacts to create a multi-sensory journey through Lexington’s past and present. Modular display units allowed content and artifacts to be updated regularly, keeping the space relevant and engaging for returning visitors. All keeping in line with Lexington’s motto: rooted in tradition and shaped by innovation.
A centrally located welcome desk acted as both a point of orientation and a hub for interaction. Strategically positioned, it allowed staff to engage with visitors naturally, offering personalized recommendations and reinforcing a sense of hospitality and connection. This intentional spatial flow encouraged guests to explore at their own pace, discovering layers of history, culture, and local insights along the way.
Thematic & Visitor Flow Map
Narrative Systems
Designing a Digital Engagement Strategy
To connect with modern visitors and enhance the overall experience, VisitLEX placed a strong emphasis on seamless digital engagement within the space. As Lead Interactive Designer, I developed a strategic framework that identified key moments where digital media could enrich exploration, interactivity, and storytelling. This approach ensured that technology was not just an add-on, but an integral part of the visitor journey, blending physical and digital experiences in a meaningful way.
The digital engagement strategy was structured around three core areas: Explore, Inspire, and Share—each designed to invite deeper interaction with Lexington’s history, culture, and local experiences.
Explore: Lexington Facts Interactive – A touch-based experience where visitors browse fun facts across four themed categories, sparking curiosity and discovery. Designed for both quick interactions and deeper engagement, this feature provided an intuitive entry point for learning about the city.
Inspire: Inspirational Media Wall – A nine-screen media installation showcasing Lexington’s vibrant culture through dynamic video and photography. This large-scale, immersive display brought the city’s energy to life, capturing the essence of its traditions, people, and landscapes.
Share: Greetings from Lexington Interactive – A digital guestbook that allowed visitors to create and customize a branded postcard, sharing their Lexington experience with friends and family. This interactive moment fostered a sense of personal connection while amplifying VisitLEX’s brand reach through organic social sharing.
Each of these interactive experiences was strategically integrated into the physical space, ensuring that digital moments felt purposeful, intuitive, and engaging. The space encouraged visitors to explore at their own pace, connect with Lexington’s story, and share their journey in a dynamic, memorable way.
