I observed that the gallery presence is limited to only the closed doors, the title above the gallery calling attention to the fact that it is a gallery. Also the banner that hangs above the art building calls attention to the fact of who, is being showcased in the gallery at that time.
The documentation of this gallery via web presents is lacking in comparison to the CU Art Museum. When analyzing the website in layout and color scheme. The Myhren Gallery homepage layout is plan. The attention grabber is the purple banner that lies across the homepage. The navigation bar is confusing when it comes to having the art school tab above the purple banner. These tabs have a plain type -face, to go along with the rest of the typed descriptions on this site. This homepage is lacking a clear navigation bar and a strong color scheme. Compared to CU Art Museum homepage, which has a strong identity with a strong logo and color scheme that follows through out the site. The homepage opens with strong icons for navigating their site. The navigation system carries through out their site. Also their strengths lay in their exhibit page where they have showcased a small picture of the artwork followed by a short title and who is being showcased. The pictures are each linked for the user to be connected to more information about the exhibit and the artist. The exhibit page on the Myhren Gallery site, highlighted with a blue bold title of the theme of the show followed by the artist name and dates of the exhibit. The break down is three pictures of the artist artwork followed by a short description of the artist.
The reputation of the Myhren Gallery is that the space is for faculty, traveling artist and the BFA show from the students. It’s a traditional gallery that housing work of high caliber. There is a traditional message sends with the lack of being able to hook into interactive and digital piece of work. The space one enters is cold there is a lack of invitation. The gallery seems guarded by its tall heavy doors. Which seem to always to be closed.
I am proposing that we start will a warm up beat color scheme that is inviting to the outside community and the DU student community. Rather than going with a dark traditional color pallet. I have chosen a washed out plum, a rich peach and a tone down sea foam green. This pallet also comes in a muted set as well. These colors are bring and can stay alone but are not going to distract from the art work. Using this color pallet will give a personality to the Myhren Gallery. Its still says the gallery is still prestigious but inviting to the artist that would have been wiry of this gallery being a very traditional gallery. The warm color pallet is calming. Next will be designing a logo for the gallery using the new color pallet.
