What Perch does

Perch Design Studio is a privately held multidisciplinary design studio headquartered in Portland, Maine, founded in 2008 and operating with an 11-50 person team. The studio designs and builds interactive exhibits and experiences for museums, science centers, conservation organizations, arts and cultural institutions, and healthcare systems, with a portfolio concentrated in the New England region of the United States. Its core capability lies in hybrid physical-digital interactive systems that combine custom electronics fabrication (3D printing, RFID, capacitive touch paint, proximity sensors, DMX lighting) with software development (touchtable applications, AR/VR experiences, projection mapping, gesture-tracking installations, and remote content management systems such as WordPress-based backends). The studio maintains a catalog of more than 20 named interactive exhibit modules including the Interactive Touchtable (55-84 inch), Storyframe oral-history kiosk, Specimen Explorer, Shark Tracker, Diorama Explorer with AR, Near Earth Asteroids Visualizer using real NASA orbit data, Sound Stump, and Soundboxes, alongside bespoke full-museum design-build engagements.

Revenue is generated entirely through project-based professional services contracts, with no public pricing, no subscription model, and no disclosed funding. The studio adapts its process to organizations of all sizes and budgets, ranging from complete museum redesigns to small interactive components, and delivers work through a combination of direct outreach, referrals, and portfolio-driven inbound inquiries. Go-to-market relies on a content-marketing website portfolio, an active Instagram presence showcasing work-in-progress, and an embedded network of recurring collaborators including Panoptic Design/Build, Paulus Design Group, Chris Sullivan Creative Consulting, Maine Sound and Story, and smaller partners such as Pulp + Wire and P3, who provide specialized services around the studio's core interactive work. Pricing is quote-driven per project, typically structured as multi-year engagements tied to institutional capital campaigns or grant-funded initiatives.

Name

Perch

Legal name

Perch Design Studio

Website

https://perchmade.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Perch Design Studio is a Portland, Maine-based multidisciplinary design studio (11-50 employees) that designs and builds custom interactive exhibits and experiences combining custom electronics, projection mapping, AR/VR, and software development for museums, science centers, conservation organizations, and cultural institutions across New England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Interactive Exhibit Design and Fabrication

NAICS

Industrial Design Services (54142), Interior Design Services (541410)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial/Product & Furniture Design (BPAHAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Scenic Fabrication & Set/Stage Carpentry (MPAGAKAG)

Keywords

• Interactive exhibit design
• Museum exhibit fabrication
• Custom interactive installations
• Experiential design services
• Exhibit technology development

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Exhibit Design & Build Services: Full-service exhibit design and build projects ranging from complete museum redesigns to small-scale interactive experiences. Revenue generated through project fees based on scope, complexity, and client requirements.
2. Interactive Experience Development: Design and development of custom interactive exhibits including custom hardware fabrication, software development, and content creation. Project-based pricing.
3. Branding & Identity Services: Branding system development, logo creation, and marketing collateral design for arts and cultural organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Perch Design Studio is a multidisciplinary design studio that designs and builds interactive exhibits and experiences for museums, science centers, conservation organizations, and other mission-driven clients. Its work spans complete museum design/build projects to small-scale interactive experiences, integrating custom electronics, projection mapping, AR/VR, RFID systems, multi-touch tables, and audio installations with physical fabrication. The studio also delivers branding, identity systems, and web development for arts and cultural clients.

Product overview

Perch is a multidisciplinary design studio specializing in interactive exhibits and experiences that blend digital and physical elements. The company offers custom museum design and fabrication as its core service, supported by a portfolio of named interactive exhibit modules including Sea Surface Temperature Explorer, Storyframe, Interactive Wall, Specimen Explorer, Shark Tracker, Interactive Touchtable, Digital Guestbook, Digital Labels, Diorama Explorer, Near Earth Asteroids Visualizer, and others. These products are custom-built for specific institutional clients rather than off-the-shelf offerings, though some modules like the Content-Aware Microscope, Scavenger Hunt, and Donor Recognition Wall are presented as more replicable solutions. Perch's work spans custom electronics, projection mapping, AR/VR, gesture tracking, sound design, and data visualization capabilities. Projects are delivered through collaborative partnerships with organizations including museums, science centers, conservation groups, and healthcare institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• NASA grant-funded space science exhibit for 200-year-old museum
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Panoptic Design/BuildcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborated on EcoTarium space science exhibit project. Panoptic Design/Build served as exhibit fabricator while Perch provided interactive design and development. Built rocket model and interactive stations together.
• Chris Sullivan Creative ConsultingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExhibit design lead for Maine State Aquarium redesign. Chris Sullivan served as Exhibits Director overseeing overall exhibit direction while Perch designed interactive research exhibits.
• Maine Sound and StorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Storyframe product - gallery-quality interactive frame for oral histories. Maine Sound and Story provides content expertise while Perch handles hardware design, software development, and fabrication.
• Paulus Design GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMuseum design partner for Maine Mineral & Gem Museum project since 2017. Paulus Design Group led overall museum design while Perch developed interactive concepts, spatial renderings, and exhibit graphics.
• The Story BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVideography partner for Maine Mineral & Gem Museum Space Rocks exhibit. Provided video content for projection-mapped show in meteorite gallery.
• Pulp + WireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCopywriting partner for Portland Symphony Orchestra branding project. Provided copy support alongside Perch's design work.
• P3 (Program, Product, Place)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Portland Symphony Orchestra branding project providing additional strategic support.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Artisan Complete: Exhibit design, fabrication, and installation firm serving museums, aquariums, zoos, and brand environments. Comparable in scale and end-to-end exhibit delivery for mission-driven clients.
• Design & Production Incorporated: Exhibit design and fabrication house serving museums, libraries, and corporate clients since 1963. Comparable for full-service museum exhibit delivery and longstanding institutional client base.
• The Kubik: Full-service exhibit design and fabrication firm serving museums, visitor centers, and corporate brand experiences. Comparable in offering end-to-end exhibit delivery and serving cultural/heritage clients.
• Roto: Designs and fabricates interactive exhibits, sculptures, and branded environments for museums, zoos, aquariums, and theme parks. Directly comparable as a hybrid design-build firm serving the same institutional client base.
• C&G Partners: Designs interpretive experiences, exhibitions, and brand environments for museums, cultural institutions, and public spaces. Comparable for blending graphic, spatial, and interpretive design for cultural clients.
• Bluecadet: Designs immersive digital and physical experiences for museums, cultural institutions, and brands. Comparable for its blend of interactive digital content, exhibit design, and museum clientele.
• Split Rock Studios: Designs and fabricates interactive exhibits and environments for museums, science centers, and visitor centers. Comparable hybrid design-build model serving cultural and educational institutions.
• Hadley Exhibits: Custom exhibit design and fabrication company specializing in museums, visitor centers, and corporate environments. Directly competes in the same project-based hybrid design-build space.
• Ideum: Designs and fabricates large-format interactive touch tables, AR/VR installations, and custom exhibit hardware for museums, science centers, and cultural institutions. Closest comparable to Perch given overlap in touch table product lines, AR/VR capabilities, and museum customer base.
• GRS Experience: Designs, fabricates, and installs interpretive exhibits for museums, zoos, visitor centers, and cultural attractions. Comparable in offering full exhibit delivery to mission-driven institutions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/perchmade
• Xx.com/perchmade

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Perch