Denver Zoo was an incredible space for my growth as a designer. I had the opportunity to delve into various aspects of design daily, facilitating rapid learning and development. Working closely with a team of five, comprised of designers, writers, and content creators, it provided me with an invaluable collaborative experience. Here are some highlights from my time at Denver Zoo.
Pachyderm Refresh
"The Pachyderm building" at Denver Zoo once mainly housed elephants until the Toyota Elephant Passage was built in 2014. With the elephants relocated, the building now accommodates a black rhino, two black vultures, and a hippo. However, the space required a significant makeover as it wasn't initially designed for these new inhabitants. The renovation plan included updating the rhino yard with a new shade structure and landscaping, along with refreshing the signage both inside and outside the building.
The project had a clear objective: out with the old and in with the new! We aimed to create fresh, exciting signage that unified the space under a common theme. While adhering to the Zoo's brand guidelines, the new signage would bring a sense of novelty and vibrancy to the area.
The Goal
What do a 3,000 lb Hippo, a shy Rhino, and two scavenging birds have in common? That's not the setup for a joke; it's the challenge we faced when redesigning this area.
The Challange
Old Pachyderm
Building
Outdated Rino Signage
With the adaptation theme in mind (and after delving deeply into adaptation research), a cohesive concept emerged! The signage content would now highlight each animal's specific adaptations, guiding my design approach.
In total, there were over 16 signs for the area, encompassing indoor, outdoor, and operational signage (indicating open/closed/hours).
The Process
To unify the space, we aimed to align not just the appearance of the signage but also its content. Through numerous team meetings involving our department and other stakeholders, we identified a common thread among these diverse animals: adaptations!
a change or the process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment.
ad·ap·ta·tion
Our Black Rhino, Rudy, holds a significant presence at the Zoo, making him the ideal starting point. After establishing a theme and conducting adaptation research, along with reviewing other exhibit signage examples, I dedicated time to visit Rudy for inspiration (and to gather a substantial collection of photographs for the project).
Black Rhino
After multiple rounds of revisions from the Education department and feedback from other members of our zoo team, I settled on this look and feel for the Rhino area:
The Design
• Legible in Spanish as well as English
• Emphasis on the specific animal
• large photographs and cutout elements
(incase Rudy wasn't out for public viewing)
• Infographics to convey points made in the text
• Bold brand color to tie in with other signage
Important
Elements
After applying this look and feel to this first sign, I proceeded to adapt it to the other animals signage. I wanted them to feel different (mainly in color) but similar enough to live under the same visual identity. Again, I spent time taking photos of each animal and was able to use those photos in the following signage.
Tip: Animals can be tricky to photograph. So, the more photos the better!
Now, do it all again!
What's next?