RENATE

What RENATE does

RENATE is an award-winning planning and design firm founded in 2009 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, that specializes in creating visitor experiences for museums, cultural institutions, historical societies, and corporate clients. The firm's core offering is an integrated professional services practice covering exhibit planning and design, spatial and graphic design, environmental graphics and wayfinding, interpretive planning, rebranding, and interactive media design. Underlying capabilities include interpretive frameworks, content matrices, site maps, and reusable temporary exhibit templates; outputs are physical and digital exhibits, visitor centers, galleries, and branded environments — not a software platform. The service mix is supported by a network of long-term fabrication, printing, interactive media, and architecture partners (e.g., Sticky Co, PVS Graphics, Allied Works Architecture, Flad Architects).

The business model is straightforward project-based professional services. Renate generates revenue through direct client engagements, typically entered via referrals, RFPs, and competitive proposals, with pricing quoted per project scope. The firm is privately held and founder-led, with Principal Anne Bernard overseeing every project and a core team of three (a graphic designer and a researcher). The client base spans nonprofit museums (Oregon Historical Society, Moab Museum, High Desert Museum, Burke Museum, Museum of Us), corporate visitor centers (Levi Strauss, Itron, Adaptive Biotechnologies, Juno Therapeutics, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories), educational institutions (University of Washington I-LABS), and government/memorial projects (Ohio Veterans Memorial Museum). Project geographies extend across the Pacific Northwest, Utah, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC.

Name

RENATE

Legal name

Renate

Website

https://projectrenate.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RENATE is a Portland-based, founder-led planning and design firm specializing in exhibit, visitor experience, and environmental graphic design for museums, cultural institutions, and corporate visitor centers across the US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Exhibit Planning & Experience Design Services

NAICS

Museums (71211), Historical Sites (71212), Graphic Design Services (54143)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Exhibition, Retail & Experiential Design (BPAHAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH)

Keywords

• Exhibit planning design
• Museum experience design
• Environmental graphics wayfinding
• Interpretive master planning
• Visitor center design

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland, OR

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Planning & Design: Project-based professional services for exhibit planning, design, rebranding, and experience development for museums, cultural institutions, corporate visitor centers, and educational organizations. Revenue is generated through direct client engagements with varying project scopes and timelines.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

RENATE is an award-winning planning and design firm that creates memorable experiences for museums, historical societies, cultural institutions, and corporate visitor centers. The firm delivers integrated exhibit planning, spatial and graphic experience design, interpretive master planning, rebranding, environmental graphics and wayfinding, and interactive media development through project-based professional services engagements. Its work is anchored in community-centered, inclusive storytelling methodologies and standardized, updatable design systems.

Product overview

RENATE is an award-winning planning and design firm specializing in creating memorable experiences for museums, historical societies, cultural institutions, and public spaces. The firm operates as a single integrated service offering (not a software platform) that combines exhibit planning, experience design, rebranding, interpretive planning, and environmental graphics. The core service encompasses full project lifecycle from initial project briefs and interpretive frameworks through spatial/graphic design and interactive media development. The portfolio includes permanent and temporary exhibits, visitor centers, rebranding initiatives, vision books, wayfinding systems, and community-centered experiences for clients including Oregon Historical Society, Moab Museum, Burke Museum, High Desert Museum, and Adaptive Biotechnologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exhibit Planning & Design Comprehensive planning and design of exhibits for museums, historical societies, and cultural institutions, including content development, storytelling mechanisms, and interpretive frameworks from initial project briefs through final gallery installation.
• Experience Design (2D & 3D) Spatial and graphic design services creating immersive visitor experiences, including environmental graphics, wayfinding systems, environmental design, and three-dimensional experience design for physical spaces.
• Rebranding & Brand Development Institution-wide rebranding services for museums and cultural organizations, including fresh visual identity development, campaign messaging, and brand expression aligned with organizational vision.
• Interpretive Planning & Vision Books Interpretive master planning, vision books, and experience plans that document the ideal walkthrough, visitor engagement opportunities, and unified direction for institutional transformation.
• Project Briefs & Content Frameworks Initial planning documents including project briefs, interpretive frameworks, site maps, and content matrices that organize project goals, content organization, and stakeholder alignment.
• Temporary Exhibit Templates & Systems Standardized design templates for temporary exhibits allowing in-house staff to build exhibits while maintaining professional, brand-compatible appearance, including panel sizes, frame and accent options, and color/visual design guidelines.
• Interactive Media Development Design of digital and non-digital interactives including audiovisual programs, touchscreen experiences, visitor-contributed interactives, and educational games, often delivered through partners such as Sticky Co, Arxi Interactive, Upswell, and IQ.
• Environmental Graphics & Wayfinding Environmental graphic design, recognition signage, and wayfinding systems integrated with architectural spaces, featuring brand expression through typography, color, and form.

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Sticky CocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-term interactive media development partner appearing across multiple projects including Oregon Historical Society exhibits (Portland, WWII, Lincoln), Corvallis Museum, Mobius Science Center, and others.
• PVS GraphicscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrimary printing and fabrication partner for multiple Oregon Historical Society projects and other exhibits.
• Infinity ImagescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrinting and fabrication partner across numerous projects including Mercy Corps Action Center, JFK exhibit, Lincoln exhibit, and photography exhibitions.
• Allied Works ArchitectureflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected team for Ohio Veterans Memorial Museum competition and ongoing partner for Corvallis Museum (architect for new building). Deep collaboration on museum transformations.
• Flad ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner for Adaptive Biotechnologies Seattle office/lab space and Juno Therapeutics headquarters, collaborating on environmental graphics and wayfinding.
• SHKS ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner for University of Washington I-LABS Brain Studio and W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory identity refresh.
• Stoltz Market GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Renate on Itron Raleigh Showroom project for demonstration center branding.
• Hennebery Eddy ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitect and display case designer for Columbia Square lobby exhibit showcasing Pete Mark's historical collection.
• kubikmaltbieminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for Fullers Overlook Farm and Mobius Science Center projects.
• CinnabarminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for Moab Museum exhibit refresh.
• AxiomminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for Oregon Historical Society WWII and Oregon Voices exhibits.
• ForgeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGraphics partner for Oregon Historical Society WWII and Oregon Voices exhibits.
• Olin StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture partner for Ohio Veterans Memorial Museum project.
• ACME ScenicminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for Mercy Corps Action Center redesign.
• ALSCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner for Mobius Science Center and Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center projects.
• SuperfabminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDisplay case fabrication partner for Columbia Square project.
• Matchless BuildsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for Columbia Square and Corvallis Museum projects.
• Corbin CabinetryminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for Corvallis Museum wood casework.
• R3minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrinting partner for Corvallis Museum project.
• ICHOminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrinting partner for Corvallis Museum project.
• Designer DecalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrinting partner for Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture and Water Resource Center projects.
• QuisenberryminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for Water Resource Center project.
• Figure PlantminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for Oregon Historical Society Democracy exhibit.
• Stephen Dow BeckhamminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWriting partner for Fullers Overlook Farm project.
• Mark GostnellminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMount making partner for Corvallis Museum whimsical exhibits.
• Laura Valenti Jelen (Photoluncinda)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCurator partner for Oregon Historical Society 'Place: Framing the Oregon Landscape' contemporary photography exhibition.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Gallagher & Associates: Gallagher & Associates is a large, established exhibit design firm working with museums, cultural institutions, and corporations. It is the most comparable scaled peer to Renate, covering the same core service of exhibit and experience design for institutional clients.
• ESI Design: ESI Design (now part of NBBJ) is a long-standing experience design firm creating exhibits, interactive environments, and brand experiences for museums and corporate clients. It competes with Renate for major museum and corporate visitor experience commissions.
• Thinkwell Group: Thinkwell Group is a global experience design and production firm serving museums, theme parks, and brand environments. It is a comparable experiential design peer, though significantly larger and broader in scope than Renate.

Direct peers

• C&G Partners: C&G Partners is a design firm specializing in exhibit, wayfinding, and brand experiences for museums, cultural institutions, and public spaces. Its integrated planning + design approach and museum client base directly parallel Renate's offering.
• Luci Creative: Luci Creative is a museum exhibit design firm specializing in interpretive planning, exhibit design, and wayfinding for cultural institutions. It is a close direct peer to Renate in mission, client base, and service mix.
• Jack Rouse Associates: Jack Rouse Associates is a strategic experience design firm serving cultural institutions, museums, and visitor attractions. It is a direct peer in interpretive planning and visitor experience strategy.
• Haley Sharpe Design: Haley Sharpe Design is a UK-based exhibit and interpretive design firm serving museums, heritage sites, and cultural institutions. It is a direct peer in service offering, though it operates primarily in the UK rather than North America.
• Tellart: Tellart is a design studio creating interactive experiences, exhibits, and brand environments for museums and corporate clients. It overlaps with Renate on experiential design and interactive media development for visitors.
• Local Projects: Local Projects is an experience design firm known for narrative-driven, interactive museum and cultural experiences. It is a direct peer in the museum exhibit and experiential design space, often working with similar institutional clients.
• RAA Design: RAA Design is an exhibit and interpretive planning firm serving museums, visitor centers, and corporate clients. It is a closely comparable independent peer to Renate in scale and service scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/renate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 RENATE