My financial planner talks at lightning speed, using terms like “asset class diversification,” “large-cap funds,” and “variable annuity.” Embarrassingly, I don’t know what any of it means, and it’s overwhelming. I simply want him to understand my financial goals and risk aversion, and then to figure out the rest for me. We museum and exhibition professionals need to keep in mind that this is often how our clients, partners, and other stakeholders feel.

Years ago I was giving a presentation to a group of museum fundraisers. After speaking for two hours with terms such as “bubble diagram,” “elevations,” and “interpretation,” someone in the room raised their hand and asked, “What’s an elevation?” We speak different languages. Our unique profession has its own lexicon, so when phrases like “Gobo projectors,” “schematic design,” and “image acquisition” are tossed around, it’s reasonable for those unfamiliar with the exhibition design process to feel exactly like I do when chatting with my financial planner.