Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Ship Bridge Exhibit Design Challenge
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper, Utah has a full scale research vessel replica in the main lobby of the aquarium and they were looking to update the exhibit inside the bridge of the vessel. I was given the chance to submit an exhibit design part of a 48-hour competition. Below is my design that focused on hands-on, interactive features to teach aquarium-goers to what happens on research vessels in the arctic.
exhibit design | environmental graphic design
Current ship bridge exhibit
The current exhibit inside the research vessel replica has moving levers and wheels, but has struggled with engaging users to learning about the vessel its explorative spirit.
Proposed Design Layout
The design is centered around projects done on arctic research vessels; navigation through challenging waters, looking at specimens taken from the sea, and deep sea exploration. As the wheels and levers are being used in the current exhibit, I incorporated a centrally located ship wheel with binoculars into the design.
Freestanding Angled Signage
Signage that runs flush along the railings of the bow of the vessel with graphics mounted at an angle for easy viewing.
Ice Field Navigation Feature
A interactive display where a person uses magnetic sticks to move magnetized boats through dimensional ‘ice-bergs’ demonstrating how arctic research vessels have to navigate through dangerous ice during expeditions.
Binoculars With Steering Wheel
A freestanding binocular post positioned at front, center of the vessel cabin for aquarium-goers to feel like the caption of the ship. Through the binoculars a viewer would see an arctic ocean scene that changes as the steering wheel attached to the binocular post is turned.
Marine Microscopes
Three microscopes line the left-side area in the vessel cabin allowing aquarium-goers to look at sea creatures up close similar to what marine biologist would do aboard a research vessel.
Deep Sea Zones Feature
The goal of this feature is to learn about the different zones of the sea and what type of animals live at each of those zones. Aquarium-goers can match illustrated, magnetic blocks featuring different animals to what they see in the displayed photos taken at different sea depths.
