Jake Barton
: Jake Barton (b. Nov 7, 1972) is an American designer and founder of Local Projects, known for creating immersive museum and public-space experiences that blend storytelling, technology, and emotion. Explore his biography, major works, design philosophy, impact, and key insights.
Introduction
Jake Barton (born November 7, 1972, Brooklyn, New York) is a pioneering experience designer whose work bridges the physical and digital to evoke emotional storytelling in museums, memorials, and public spaces.
He is best known as the founder and principal of Local Projects, a New York–based studio recognized for redefining how visitors interact with cultural spaces.
Jake Barton’s work is characterized by a commitment to narrative, user participation, and using algorithms and interactivity to shape visitor experiences.
Early Life & Education
-
Jake Barton was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 7, 1972.
-
He completed his undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, majoring in performance studies (Bachelor in Science of Speech).
-
After some early work experience, he went on to pursue a Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Interactive Telecommunications at New York University (NYU).
During his graduate training he began to formalize his approach to interactivity and storytelling in space, shaping the foundation of what would become his design practice.
Career & Major Works
Early Career & Formation of Local Projects
-
Early in his career, Barton interned at Ralph Appelbaum Associates, a leading museum design firm, and worked there for about seven years.
-
In 2001, during his graduate studies at NYU, he co-launched Local Projects as a design studio focusing on interactive and media-driven physical experiences.
-
Local Projects has since become a key name in experience design, working with museums, memorials, cultural institutions, and public spaces.
Notable Projects & Contributions
Some of Barton’s most recognized works and contributions include:
-
National September 11 Memorial & Museum — As Media Design lead, his team developed interactive systems and algorithms (for example, arranging names on panels based on personal relationships, not alphabetical order) to create a more human and dynamic visitor experience.
-
Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum — Local Projects partnered in the redesign and interactive installations, bringing new modes of visitor participation to design museums.
-
Greenwood Rising — Black Wall Street History Center — A memorial and museum project focused on civil rights and storytelling, reflecting Barton’s interest in socially relevant narratives.
-
Faith & Liberty Discovery Center — Barton’s firm leads design and interactive content for a museum aiming to explore how faith and public life intersect in American history.
-
Additional works include storytelling installations for StoryCorps, media for cultural institutions, and collaborations with architects to embed interaction in physical environments.
In recent years, Barton has also turned toward climate-focused experience design, aiming to use storytelling and interaction to catalyze action on environmental issues.
Design Philosophy & Approach
Jake Barton’s design ethos is rooted in a few core principles:
-
Visitor as participant / co-creator
Rather than passively absorbing content, Barton’s designs often invite visitors to contribute their own voice, memory, or data, making the experience more immersive and personal. -
Data, algorithms & narrative integration
He uses computational methods not merely for spectacle but to weave narratives: e.g., computing relationships among names in memorials, dynamically updating content with real-time or contextual data. -
Humility & “local” ethos
In interviews, Barton emphasizes removing ego from design, tailoring to the unique needs of each project and audience. The name Local Projects itself reflects this adaptability and locality in design. -
Blending physical and digital seamlessly
His work often merges architectural, graphic, media, and interaction design to produce environments that feel cohesive rather than patches of digital overlays. -
Emotion & memory as anchors
Many of his projects aim to provoke emotional connection, reflection, and meaning—not just information. Memory, loss, identity, and narrative are motifs.
Recognition & Influence
-
Jake Barton and Local Projects have earned numerous awards and honors, including National Design Awards, Cannes Lions, and recognition by Fast Company as one of the top design innovators.
-
His TED Talk (titled “The Museum of You”) has been widely viewed and cited for its vision of participatory museum design.
-
He has been named by Fast Company among the top 50 designers.
-
Under his leadership, Local Projects has become one of the reference firms in experience design, influencing how museums, cultural institutions, and public spaces regard interaction and storytelling.
Quotes & Insightful Reflections
Here are a few notable ideas and statements attributed to Jake Barton:
“Local Projects came from an old quote … ‘All design is local’ … we pride ourselves on not having a particular style we foist on clients but adapting work to each specific audience.”
On museums and climate:
“We’ve developed experiences … that people have said changed their lives. … We’re looking to focus beyond that and pointing them at climate: changing not just people’s hearts but also their hands.”
On the role of interactivity and narrative:
“We believe it’s not about simply giving people content, but giving them an invitation to engage and add their own stories.” (paraphrased from interviews)
Lessons from Jake Barton’s Journey
From Barton’s career and approach, several takeaways emerge:
-
Design for the human, not only the object: His work reminds us that the user’s emotional journey is as important as the aesthetics or technology.
-
Flexibility over style: By resisting a fixed signature “look,” he allows each project to find its authentic voice.
-
Embrace risk and iteration: Projects that intertwine memory, identity, and technology demand willingness to experiment.
-
Narrative + data = meaning: Data and algorithms, when used thoughtfully, can support storytelling rather than dominate it.
-
Purpose-driven design: Barton’s pivot toward climate and social narratives shows that design can be a tool for advocacy and change.