From Concept To Installation, Together

A collaborative process that turns your vision into a precision-crafted display case.

Our Process

A custom display case is not something you order from a catalogue. It is something you build in conversation—with your team, your objects, your space, and your goals guiding every decision.

Our process reflects that reality. We do not hand you a form and disappear. We work alongside you from the first sketch through the day the case arrives on site. Whether you are a museum curator planning a new gallery, a jeweller refreshing your flagship store, or a collector protecting a single piece, the way we work is the same: listen carefully, engineer precisely, deliver exactly what was promised.

This is how we do it.

Our Process Overview

Four Phases, One Partnership

Every project follows the same proven structure—designed to keep you informed, involved, and confident at every stage. No surprises. No gaps. Just clear progress from idea to installation.

PHASE ONE — DISCOVERY & CONSULTATION

We Start By Listening

Timeline Indicator

1–2 Weeks

Every successful project begins with the same thing: understanding. We need to know what you are displaying, where it will live, how it needs to be protected, and what you want visitors to feel when they see it. This phase is where we learn all of that.

Deliverables From This Phase:

What Happens In This Phase

Step 1

Learn About Your Objects

We start with the collection itself. What are you displaying? How large is it? How fragile? Are there conservation requirements we need to accommodate? Does the object need climate control, UV protection, or specialized mounting? For museums and institutions, we consult directly with your curatorial and conservation teams. For retailers, we study the merchandise and how customers interact with it. For private collectors, we learn what matters most to you.

Step 2

Understand Your Space

A case that works in one gallery may feel wrong in another. We need to see where your case will live. Ceiling heights. Sight lines. Traffic patterns. Existing architecture. Lighting conditions. Accessibility requirements. We work from your architectural drawings when available, and we are always happy to visit in person when the project规模和 warrants it.

Step 3

Define Your Goals

What does success look like for this project? Is it about maximizing security? Creating a particular brand experience? Accommodating a challenging object? Fitting within a strict budget? Meeting a grant deadline? There is no single answer. But there is a right answer for you. We find it together.

Step 4

Preliminary Budget & Timeline

Before we draw anything, we give you a realistic sense of what your project will cost and how long it will take. This is not a binding quote—it is a framework that ensures we are aligned before we invest time in design.

PHASE TWO — DESIGN & ENGINEERING

Drawing What We Will Build

Timeline Indicator

2-4 Weeks

With the foundation set, we move into design. This is where concepts become drawings, ideas become specifications, and you see your case take shape for the first time. We do not design in isolation—you review, respond, and refine alongside us.

Deliverables From This Phase:

What Happens In This Phase

Step 1

Concept Sketches

We begin with rough concepts. Multiple directions, sometimes. Different approaches to form, sight lines, and presence. These are not finished drawings—they are starting points for conversation.

You tell us what resonates. What feels right. What does not. We incorporate your feedback and move forward.

Step 2

Technical Drawings

Once the concept is approved, we produce detailed engineering drawings. Every dimension specified. Every material called out. Every hinge, lock, and fastener located.

These drawings serve multiple purposes. They guide our fabrication team. They document exactly what you are getting. And they give your team—curators, conservators, designers, facilities staff—a chance to review every detail before we cut any material.

Step 3

Material Selection

Glass type. Metal finishes. Lighting specifications. Locking hardware. Seals and gaskets. Every material choice matters, and every choice is made in consultation with you.

For museum projects, we work with your conservation team to select materials that meet archival standards. For retail projects, we match finishes to your brand guidelines. For private clients, we guide you through options you may not have considered.

Step 4

Final Approval

Nothing moves to fabrication without your sign-off. You review the complete drawings, specifications, and renderings. You ask questions. You request changes if needed. When you are satisfied, we build.

PHASE THREE — FABRICATION

Building With Precision

Timeline Indicator

4-6 Weeks

This is where drawings become physical objects. Our shop is not an assembly line—it is a workspace where skilled fabricators execute exactly what the drawings specify. No substitutions. No shortcuts. No surprises.

Deliverables From This Phase:

What Happens In This Phase

Step 1

Material Preparation

Glass is cut to exact dimensions, edges polished, and inspected for any imperfection. Metals are cut, formed, and prepared for finishing. Hardware is verified against specifications. Every component is checked before assembly begins.

Step 2

Finishing

Paint, powder coat, or plated finishes are applied to metal components. Finishes are matched to your approved samples. Multiple coats where required. Cured properly. Inspected thoroughly.

Step 3

Assembly

Cases are assembled in our shop, not on your site. Glass is installed. Hardware is fitted. Seals are set. Lighting is connected and tested. Every locking mechanism is cycled and verified. Every adjustment is made before the case leaves our control.

Step 4

Quality Inspection

Every case is inspected before it ships. Sight lines checked. Finish examined. Hardware tested. Dimensions verified against the approved drawings. If it is not right, it does not ship.

Step 5

Progress Updates

You do not wonder where your project stands during fabrication. We provide regular updates—photos, timeline check-ins, answers to any questions that arise. You are never left guessing.

PHASE FOUR — DELIVERY & INSTALLATION

Where The Work Arrives

Timeline Indicator

Coordinated With Your Schedule

A beautiful case that arrives damaged or installs poorly is not a success. We manage the entire delivery and installation process to ensure your case arrives exactly as it left our shop and is placed exactly where it belongs.

Deliverables From This Phase:

What Happens In This Phase

Step 1

Shipping Coordination

We handle all shipping logistics. Crating. Freight. Customs documentation for cross-border shipments. Delivery scheduling. You do not need to coordinate with multiple carriers or worry about whether the case will arrive safely.

Step 2

Site Preparation

Before delivery, we confirm that your site is ready. Floor loads. Access paths. Door clearances. Elevator sizes. Whatever needs to be verified, we verify it. No surprises on delivery day.

Step 3

Delivery

Cases arrive on schedule, protected by custom crating designed for each project. Deliveries are coordinated with your team to minimize disruption to your operations.

Step 4

Installation

For most projects, we handle installation. Cases are uncrated, positioned exactly where they belong, leveled, and secured. Hardware is tested one final time. Lighting is adjusted. Every detail is verified before we leave.

Step 5

Walkthrough & Handoff

You inspect the completed installation with our team. You confirm that everything meets your expectations. We answer any questions about operation, maintenance, or adjustments. The case is yours.

WHY OUR PROCESS MATTERS

Process Is Not Procedure

Some manufacturers have a process because they need to move work through the shop efficiently. That is procedure, not process. Our process exists because we have learned—over decades and hundreds of projects—that this is the only way to deliver work that meets expectations.

It protects you. It protects us. And most importantly, it protects the objects you trust us to display.

Find answers

Frequently Asked Questions

How involved do we need to be during the design phase?

As involved as you want to be. Some clients prefer to review concepts and then trust us to execute. Others want to be part of every material decision. We adapt to your preference. The only requirement is that you sign off on final drawings before fabrication begins.

What if we have our own exhibit designers or architects?

We collaborate closely with external design teams. Many of our projects are specified by outside designers, and we execute their vision exactly. We are happy to work as an extension of your design team.

Can you accommodate urgent timelines?

We can. Our standard 4-to-6-week fabrication timeline is already faster than industry averages. For genuinely urgent projects, we can discuss expedited options. The sooner we know about your deadline, the better we can plan around it.

Do you charge for the design phase?

For most custom projects, design and engineering are included in the overall project cost. For very early-stage explorations or projects that do not proceed to fabrication, we may charge a design fee. We are transparent about this before any work begins.

How do you handle changes after fabrication has started?

Changes during fabrication are sometimes possible but may affect timeline and cost. The best approach is to be thorough during the design and approval phase. That is why we invest so much time there—to get everything right before we cut material.

Do you install cases ourselves, or do we need local contractors?

For most projects, our team handles installation. For projects in regions where travel is impractical, we can coordinate with vetted local installers or provide detailed installation guidance to your facilities team. We discuss this during planning.

What happens if something arrives damaged?

It happens rarely—our crating and shipping partners are excellent. But if it does happen, we handle it. We document the damage, work with the carrier, and fabricate replacements as needed. You are not left managing claims or coordinating repairs.

How do we get started?

The simplest way is to reach out through our contact form or request a quote. We will schedule an initial conversation to learn about your project and determine together whether we are the right fit. From there, Phase One begins.

Logic Exhibit System

COMPARISON: OUR PROCESS VS. TYPICAL MANUFACTURERS

Stage	Typical Manufacturer	Obsidian Manufacturing
Discovery	Brief form, limited questions	In-depth consultation with your team
Design	Stock drawings, minimal customization	Bespoke engineering for your project
Materials	Commercial-grade standard	Museum-grade, specified to your needs
Communication	Minimal updates, reactive	Regular progress updates, proactive
Timeline	12–16 weeks (often delayed)	4–6 weeks, reliably
Installation	Ship only, you arrange instal	Full-service delivery and installation
Follow-up	Hard to reach after delivery	Ongoing relationship and support

Testimonials

What Our Clients Says

The level of collaboration throughout the process was exceptional. Obsidian did not just take our specifications and build to them—they asked questions that made us think more deeply about what we needed. The result was better than we imagined possible.

Head of Exhibitions

National Museum

We were on a tight timeline for our store renovation, and Obsidian delivered exactly when they said they would. The installation was seamless, and the cases have held up beautifully through two years of daily use. The process worked.

Store Development Director

Luxury Retailer

Start Your Project Today

From first conversation to final installation—we guide you through every step.