What Steve Feldman Design, Llc does

Steve Feldman Design, LLC (SFD) is a Bethesda, Maryland-based professional services firm founded in 1988 that plans and designs interpretive exhibitions and visitor environments for museums, historical sites, and cultural institutions. The firm specializes in translating complex historical and scientific narratives into immersive, interactive experiences using hands-on activities, multimedia presentations, and theatrical settings, with subject-matter depth across military history, immigration, natural sciences, religious heritage, and Americana.

The firm's core offering is comprehensive interpretive exhibition design, encompassing master planning, content research and development, interpretive planning, exhibition design, fabrication documentation, media/AV production oversight, and installation supervision. Notable technical components include immersive environment construction, multi-sensory theaters, AV integration, and the design of large-scale installations incorporating physical artifacts (e.g., 14,000 sq. ft. National Mounted Warrior Museum featuring 13 vehicles including a Huey helicopter and Sherman tank). The firm partners with a network of specialized subcontractors for fabrication, lighting design, AV systems, figure sculpting, and architectural services.

SFD operates as a project-based enterprise services firm, generating revenue through custom contracts with government agencies (National Park Service, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy), nonprofit museums, historical societies, educational institutions, and corporate clients (e.g., Zippo). Pricing is project-specific based on scope, scale, and complexity, with no public pricing. The firm secures work through direct client relationships and competitive bidding. It is founder-owned and operated, with Steve Feldman serving as Principal and personally leading each project team alongside a small staff that includes a Director of Graphic Design and a Senior Evaluator/Education Specialist.

Name

Steve Feldman Design, Llc

Legal name

Steve Feldman Design LLC

Website

https://stevefeldmandesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Steve Feldman Design is a Bethesda, Maryland-based interpretive exhibition design firm founded in 1988 that plans, designs, and oversees installation of immersive museum exhibits and visitor experiences for government agencies, museums, historical societies, and corporate clients across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Museum and Exhibition Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (541410)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Interpretive exhibition design
• Museum design services
• Visitor experience planning
• Cultural institution design
• Historical site exhibits

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Exhibit Design: The firm generates revenue through comprehensive exhibit design services including master planning, interpretive planning, design, fabrication documentation, research and content development, media production, project management, and fabrication supervision. Projects range from small interpretive signage to large-scale museum installations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Steve Feldman Design plans, designs, and implements interpretive exhibitions and visitor experiences for museums, historical sites, and cultural institutions. Service scope spans master planning, interpretive planning, content development, exhibit and graphic design, media/AV production oversight, project management, and fabrication documentation and supervision, delivered as custom project-based engagements for governmental agencies, museums, historical societies, and corporations.

Product overview

Steve Feldman Design, LLC is an award-winning interpretive exhibition design firm specializing in the creation of museum exhibits and visitor experiences. Founded in 1988, the firm offers comprehensive services including master planning, exhibition design, content development, media production, and installation supervision for cultural institutions, historical sites, and science museums. The company's portfolio includes over 40 distinct museum projects spanning history (Revolutionary War, military history, immigration), science (natural sciences, water conservation), and arts and culture (opera, comedy, religious heritage). Projects range from major national museums like the U.S. Army Women's Museum and Museum of the American Revolution to regional institutions like the Erie Canal Museum and Andrew County Museum. Services are delivered through a collaborative approach with clients, with offerings categorized as interpretive planning, exhibition design, media/AV development, and fabrication management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Interpretive Exhibition Design Services Comprehensive planning, design, and implementation of interpretive exhibitions and visitor experiences for museums, historical sites, and cultural institutions, including master planning, content development, exhibition design, fabrication documentation, and installation supervision.
• Washington Headquarters Museum - Discover History Center Experiential gallery for the National Park Service and Washington Association of New Jersey interpreting Morristown's role in the War for Independence through hands-on activities, multimedia presentations, and immersive environments.
• Presidential Pets Exhibit Temporary exhibit at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum exploring pets kept by U.S. presidents over two and a half centuries, examining how animals reflected American society's relationships with pets and served as workers, companions, trend setters, and political tools.
• Cost of Revolution: The Life and Death of an Irish Soldier International loan exhibition at the Museum of the American Revolution featuring nearly 100 rare objects illustrating Richard St. George's life as an Irish officer in the British Army during the American Revolution. Recipient of AASLH Leadership in History Award.
• Nation of Inventors Exhibit 6,000 sq. ft. permanent exhibit at Hagley Museum featuring over 200 patent models, dynamic AV presentations, and hands-on activities illustrating the steps to obtaining a patent and the history of American innovation.
• National Mounted Warrior Museum 14,000 sq. ft. of exhibits in a new purpose-built facility for the U.S. Army Center for Military History featuring 13 large-scale vehicles including Huey helicopter, Sherman tank, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, MRAP, and Stryker, with AV effects and personal accounts of cavalry soldiers.
• Billy Graham Center Museum 10,500 sq. ft. museum for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association dedicated to interpreting Billy Graham's life and ministry, featuring animated multi-media environments including revival meeting, tent meeting and early movie theater settings.
• Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center 7,500 sq. ft. interpretive center for the Philadelphia Water Department featuring 25+ interactive exhibits, a 16-minute feature video theater, and a multimedia installation sculpture conveying water protection messages. Recipient of Philadelphia Preservation Alliance Grand Jury Award and other recognitions.
• Frederic V. Malek West Point Visitors Center 10,000 sq. ft. of exhibits within the 31,000 sq. ft. Frederic V. Malek West Point Visitors Center for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including multimedia, hands-on, immersive experiences, and multi-sensory theater.
• Zippo/Case Museum 15,000 sq. ft. museum for Zippo Manufacturing Company featuring rare Zippo lighters and Case knives with interactive exhibits including rotating flintwheel displays, holographic lighters with cutaway views, orientation theater, and 10-foot kinetic sculpture.
• U.S. Army Women's Museum 10,000 sq. ft. museum at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia for the U.S. Army, the only museum in the world dedicated to Army women, featuring immersive settings, hands-on interactives, artifacts, and historic video clips tracing women's service from camp followers to combat soldiers.
• Marilyn Horne Museum Museum in adaptive reuse of the 1932 Art Deco Seneca Building at the University of Pittsburgh - Bradford presenting opera singer Marilyn Horne's life and achievements, with listening opportunities, vocal technique activities, and personal objects including annotated musical scores and awards.
• Driving Desire: Automobile Advertising and the American Dream Hagley Museum & Library exhibit exploring six major automobile advertising themes through 100+ rare advertisements, historic artifacts, and hands-on activities examining how car manufacturers influenced purchasing decisions.
• Heinz 57 Exhibit 3,000 sq. ft. permanent exhibit at Senator John Heinz Regional History Center examining the Heinz company's marketing, production innovation, and cultural impact through historic products, ads, posters, and immersive environments.
• Somerset Historical Center 5,000 sq. ft. permanent installation at Somerset Historical Center exploring the evolution of county farm life and farm technologies from native inhabitants to present, featuring farm implements, low-tech activities, immersive environments, and life cast figures.
• Americans By Choice: Immigration & Citizenship in Kansas Exhibit at the U.S. District Court of Kansas featuring naturally backlit portraits, personal stories, interactive video presentations, and graphics highlighting immigration patterns to Kansas. Recipient of AASLH Leadership in History Award.
• The Pennsylvania Turnpike: America's First Superhighway 2,500 sq. ft. exhibit at the State Museum of Pennsylvania celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Turnpike's opening, featuring archival photographs, films, memorabilia, scale models, and major artifacts including an original 1940 tollbooth.
• Discovering America: The Peopling of Pennsylvania 3,500 sq. ft. exhibit at the State Museum of Pennsylvania presenting settlement from earliest native inhabitants to present, examining immigration, settlement patterns, and ethnic diversity through architectural elements, artifacts, and life-sized photomurals.
• Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center 3,250 sq. ft. exhibit at Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center interpreting Assemblies of God's history through immersive multi-media environments depicting 1950s radio recording studio and living room, period classroom, airplane fuselage section, and storefront church facade.
• Beyond Chicken Soup: Jews & Medicine in America 2,500 sq. ft. temporary exhibition at the Jewish Museum of Maryland featuring immersive environments, hands-on activities, multimedia presentations, and over 400 historic documents exploring the connection between Jewish heritage and medicine.
• Erie Canal Museum Exhibits in the world's only existing Weighlock Building at the Erie Canal Museum sharing the challenges of canal development, technological innovations, and stories of people dependent on the Erie Canal.
• Future in the Balance: Ellis Island Hospitals 7,000 sq. ft. exhibits in Ellis Island's historic Ferry Building for Save Ellis Island, Inc. and the National Park Service, interpreting the island's significance as the world's first public health facility and its impact on individuals and the nation.
• Temple University Museum of Dentistry 2,500 sq. ft. permanent exhibition at the Temple University Museum of Dentistry reflective of the dental school's heritage, featuring Paul Revere instruments, the nation's first dental chair, a recreated 19th century dental office, and touchscreen activities.
• Pennsbury Manor Visitor Orientation Center Visitor center at Pennsbury Manor providing overview of William Penn's challenges, achievements, and lasting impact through video, animated light projections, touchscreen, audio, hands-on activities, animated timelines, and rare artifacts. Recipient of AASLH Leadership in History Award.
• Blast From the Past: Artillery in the War for Independence Temporary exhibit at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown showcasing rare 18th century artillery pieces, with strobe lighting effects, synchronized audio, hands-on activities, and AV presentations.
• Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy 4,500 sq. ft. gallery in Vincennes, Indiana for the Red Skelton Museum Foundation filled with fun activities, videos, and props featuring Red Skelton's beloved characters including Clem Kadiddlehopper, Freddie the Freeloader, and Deadeye.
• Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center at Wildwood Lake 4,000 sq. ft. nature center at Wildwood Lake for Dauphin County Parks & Recreation featuring green materials, organic shapes, bird observation area, living aquariums, above and below-ground diorama with crawl-through tunnel, and interactive activities teaching ecological concepts. Recipient of AIA Honors Award for Design Excellence.
• Battleship Wisconsin Orientation Center 1,200 sq. ft. exhibit at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum providing an overview of Battleship Wisconsin's design, operations, life aboard ship, and significant engagements, with nautical-themed architecture and video presentations.
• Endeavour Elementary School Exhibits Permanent displays in the Endeavour Elementary School atrium at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst featuring Space Shuttle Endeavour's 40-foot drag chute, artifacts, STEM hands-on activities, scale model of HMS Endeavour, and video projections onto the suspended drag chute.
• 1907: Jamestown Exposition & Launching of the Steel Navy 3,000 sq. ft. exhibition at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum recreating settings from the 1907 Jamestown Exposition with hand-painted facades, full-scale photomurals, Nickelodeons, stereoscopes, and hands-on naval activities.
• Andrew County Museum Regional museum for the Andrew County Historical Society interpreting transportation, agricultural, and communications technology changes and their effects on communities, with an innovative gallery plan showing the relationship between rural and urban communities. Recipient of Governor's Humanities Award.
• Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Museum illustrating the testing process, basic principles of flight, and Navy's technological achievements at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, featuring an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter alongside an early Curtis-Wright prop plane with hands-on learning activities.
• Coming to America: The DuPont Family's Story Hagley Museum & Library exhibit interpreting the DuPont family's immigration to America and their industrial legacy.
• Master Planning Services Strategic master planning services for museums and cultural institutions, providing a comprehensive interpretive framework that guides future exhibit development, visitor experience design, and inclusive storytelling across collection areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple AASLH Leadership in History Awards received for exhibit projects
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Van Buren & AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContent Development partner for the Washington Headquarters Museum - Discover History Center project at Morristown National Historical Park.
• Capitol Museum ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for the Washington Headquarters Museum project.
• Interpretive SolutionsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContent Development & Project Management partner for Somerset Historical Center.
• Cornerstone Spatial Design & ProductionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject partner for Somerset Historical Center and Washington Headquarters Museum projects.
• Studio DisplaysminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProduction Supervision partner for Pennsylvania Turnpike exhibit at State Museum of Pennsylvania.
• Art Guild Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSupervision of fabrication & installation for Museum of the American Revolution Cost of Revolution exhibit.
• Studio EISminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFigure Sculptors for Museum of the American Revolution Cost of Revolution exhibit.
• Scenery FirstminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerScenery partner for Museum of the American Revolution exhibit.
• Dorothy HartmanminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for Zippo/Case Museum project.
• MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture partner for Marilyn Horne Museum project with University of Pittsburgh.
• ExhibitologyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for U.S. Army Women's Museum project.
• Lynch ExhibitsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for Temple University Museum of Dentistry and Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center projects.
• Svadlenak & AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject Management & Content Development partner for Americans By Choice exhibit at U.S. District Court of Kansas.
• Exhibit Associates, Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for Americans By Choice exhibit project.
• Precision PlasticsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for Jewish Museum of Maryland Beyond Chicken Soup exhibit.
• SBIminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for Endeavour Elementary School exhibit project at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
• Save Ellis Island, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner alongside National Park Service for Ellis Island Ferry Building exhibits interpreting immigrants, public health, and the Ellis Island Hospitals.
• Mark B. Thompson AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural Design partner for Frederic V. Malek West Point Visitors Center.

Scale indicators8 records

Direct peers

• ESI Design: Experience design firm specializing in interactive, multimedia, and immersive museum and brand environments — a close peer in the interpretive exhibition design space with stronger technology integration.
• Solid Light: Exhibit design and production firm creating immersive visitor experiences for museums, visitor centers, and cultural institutions — comparable scale and project types to Steve Feldman Design.
• Christopher Chadbourne & Associates: Museum and exhibit design firm known for cultural and historical interpretation, including presidential libraries and federal heritage projects — directly overlaps Steve Feldman Design's federal and history-focused portfolio.
• Gallagher & Associates: Museum and visitor experience design firm with deep experience in interpretive planning, exhibit design, and content strategy for cultural institutions — directly comparable client base and service offering to Steve Feldman Design.
• Luci Creative: Boutique exhibit and interpretive design studio focused on museums, zoos, and cultural venues — comparable size, design philosophy, and client base to Steve Feldman Design.
• Jack Rouse Associates (JRA): Experience design and strategy firm for museums, visitor centers, and cultural attractions — directly comparable interpretive design services for institutional clients.
• Hilferty & Associates: Exhibit planning and design firm serving museums, visitor centers, and interpretive institutions with similar end-to-end services (master planning through installation) — a direct peer in narrative-driven exhibition design.

Broad incumbents

• Ralph Appelbaum Associates: Largest global museum and exhibition design firm, founded 1978. Direct competitor for large-scale interpretive museum projects serving government agencies, foundations, and cultural institutions — the most established incumbent in the same niche.

Emerging players

• C&G Partners: Multidisciplinary design firm with a strong museum, exhibition, and wayfinding practice serving cultural institutions — partial overlap in the interpretive museum space with more brand and graphic-design orientation.
• Split Rock Studios: Exhibit design and fabrication firm focused on natural history and cultural museums with a more recent, fabrication-forward model — adjacent in the same niche but emphasizes in-house production.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steve-feldman-design

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 Steve Feldman Design, Llc