Reimagining Innovation: Aten Design Group Rehauls Smithsonian Lemelson Center's Website

The Smithsonian Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, part of the National Museum of American History, has unveiled its newly redesigned website, a collaborative effort with Aten Design Group. The project revitalized the Center’s online presence to inspire creativity and empower users to see themselves as inventors.  

According to a case study published on Aten Design Group's website, the earlier website had an outdated architecture and with Drupal 7’s end of life approaching, the website required a complete overhaul. Aten began with extensive interviews to align the redesign with the Center’s mission. The resulting site boasts a streamlined structure, with topics like science, arts, and technology presented in an intuitive hierarchy. Over 1,000 pieces of content were migrated to Drupal 10, facilitated by Aten’s Mercury Editor for easy updates.  

The redesign incorporates a playful, hand-drawn aesthetic inspired by inventor Jerry Lemelson’s original sketches, coupled with diverse storytelling to connect visitors to the inventive process. Seamlessly integrating digital and museum experiences, the site includes interactive prompts and at-home activities. Rigorous accessibility and security standards were also met, ensuring an inclusive, robust platform. Follow this link to have a look a the case study.