Role: In-house Graphic Designer at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
About: To design an engaging, informative, and bilingual exhibit showcasing the Desert Museum's ongoing conservation and research projects.
Problem
Visitors do not know about the ongoing conservation projects at the Desert Museum unless they visit the website.
Visitors do not know about the ongoing conservation projects at the Desert Museum unless they visit the website.
Objective
Showcase conservation projects with creative signage that is visible to visitors and can be easily updated by staff as new projects come along.
Showcase conservation projects with creative signage that is visible to visitors and can be easily updated by staff as new projects come along.
The Space
Near the entrance of the museum grounds is a shaded ramada that is a respite from the hot desert sun. Most visitors will walk past this exhibit as they begin their exploration, but with newly designed signage, visitors will be attracted to stop and learn about the conservation research projects that are happening behind the scenes at the Desert Museum.
Near the entrance of the museum grounds is a shaded ramada that is a respite from the hot desert sun. Most visitors will walk past this exhibit as they begin their exploration, but with newly designed signage, visitors will be attracted to stop and learn about the conservation research projects that are happening behind the scenes at the Desert Museum.
Poster Design
"Field Book" Aesthetic
Posters will visually resemble pages from a scientist's field book, incorporating elements like hand-drawn illustrations, sketches, and notes.
Posters will visually resemble pages from a scientist's field book, incorporating elements like hand-drawn illustrations, sketches, and notes.
Bilingual Text
Account for all text to be in both English and Spanish.
Account for all text to be in both English and Spanish.
Poster Size & Format
Define specific dimensions for the posters. Design a system that allows for easy replacement and updating.
Define specific dimensions for the posters. Design a system that allows for easy replacement and updating.
Material
The material needs to be durable for outdoor elements.
The material needs to be durable for outdoor elements.
Cohesive with nearby exhibits
The new design should not look out of place with the two existing wall exhibits.
The new design should not look out of place with the two existing wall exhibits.
Mockups
Despite its humble presentation—printed on copy paper and taped to the wall—this photo reference provided key context for the exhibit's remaining elements.
Despite its humble presentation—printed on copy paper and taped to the wall—this photo reference provided key context for the exhibit's remaining elements.
Digital mockups
Were essential for explaining the concept to collaborators and vendors.
Were essential for explaining the concept to collaborators and vendors.
Designing other signs and elements
The wave shape, the title in orange, and using circular signs were intentionally chosen to look cohesive with the other wall exhibits
Vendor Collaborations
A positive relationship with print vendors goes a long way when conceptualizing complex installation ideas. After discussing possible solutions, we came up with a solution for hanging the posters.
The wave shape, the title in orange, and using circular signs were intentionally chosen to look cohesive with the other wall exhibits
Vendor Collaborations
A positive relationship with print vendors goes a long way when conceptualizing complex installation ideas. After discussing possible solutions, we came up with a solution for hanging the posters.
Poster Installation
• The posters hang on a cable with a counterweight
• Visitors have an interactive component to this exhibit where they can pull at the posters to read closer
• Visitors can easily flip the poster to read the Spanish translation
• The posters hang on a cable with a counterweight
• Visitors have an interactive component to this exhibit where they can pull at the posters to read closer
• Visitors can easily flip the poster to read the Spanish translation
