REd Pandas: unique animals compared
We designed the graphics for the new Red Panda Forest exhibition at the Detroit Zoo. The graphics focus on teaching visitors about red pandas, through their similarities to and differences from animals that they’re commonly compared to: raccoons, red foxes, and giant pandas.
For this exhibition we
Designed the layout, hierarchy, and illustrations for all of the graphics.
Created a consistent organizational structure throughout the exhibition.
Collaborated with the Curator of Exhibit Design at the Detroit Zoo who strategized the content messages and coordinated the content development.
Provided initial designs for prototyping.
Provided print ready files to their preferred printer.
exhibit labels
We used photography and custom illustrations to capture the attention of zoo-goers, and to provide information at a glance. The animals themselves are the main attraction, and we wanted visitors to be able to engage with the red pandas on exhibit while getting all of the information need to learn about what makes these animals so unique.
By visualizing the information, a wide range of visitors are able to engage with the graphics—particularly young children, english language learners, and visitors with cognitive disabilities. Image-heavy graphics are also useful for when the animals are hiding or off exhibit, giving visitors many opportunities to see and learn about these adorable animals, even if they can’t experience the real thing.
photos of the exhibition
Design Detail—Making comparisons
This exhibition is all about making comparisons between red pandas, who are “in a family all their own,” and animals that they’re commonly compared to: raccoons, red foxes, and giant pandas. Making it clear that the red pandas are the primary focus of this exhibitions while using the similarities between other animals as a teaching tool was a challenge. One way that we addressed this is by using icons for each animal consistently through the entire exhibition. The text that is always around the icons reminds visitors that red pandas are in a family all their own, and it calls out the similar characteristics of the other animals.
