Cinder Design Co.
CINDER DESIGN CO. IS A BOUTIQUE DESIGN STUDIO FOCUSED ON CREATING INTELLIGENT AND TIMELESS BRAND SOLUTIONS.
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Birch Aquarium

Engaging, friendly map and illustrations for Birch Aquarium At Scripps in San Diego, CA..

 
 

Birch Aquarium Map & Illustrations

Engaging, friendly map and illustrations for Birch Aquarium At Scripps in San Diego, CA.

 
 
 
 

CLIENT BACKGROUND

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego. Birch Aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and beyond. An oceanographic museum showcases research discoveries by Scripps Oceanography scientists on climate, earth, and ocean science and includes interactive elements.

Birch Aquarium needed a new map. Patrons were confused by their old map and unable to use it to find exhibits due to it’s inaccuracy. It lacked the fun, friendly, and engaging tone of the Aquarium’s brand. They required a map featuring special exhibitions and showing the wide range of activities and interactive opportunities throughout the aquarium. It was also crucial for the design to be flexible to allow their internal design department to update and change as exhibitions come and go.

PROJECT GOALS

  • Create a map customized to Birch Aquarium and its location.

  • Feature aquarium tanks, as well as other museum exhibitions throughout the facility.

  • More accurately communicate the location of important points of interest, tanks, and activities.

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Information Design

  • Illustration

DELIVERABLES

  • Illustrated Map for Print and Web

  • Sea Creature Illustrations

 
 
 

Prioritizing Attractions

Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit the aquarium in person, so we worked closely with their team to understand the layout and essential areas of the Aquarium. Using blueprints, we separated and color-coded the different main areas that patrons would access:

Blue - Hall of Fishes
Tan - Outdoor Spaces
Green - Educational Areas
Teal - Museum Exhibitions

Once the overall layout was established, we had to adjust some areas. For example, the museum exhibition space is physically smaller than represented on the map, but because it has so many activities and exhibits on display, we adjusted the size to represent its offerings better. The icon system was adjusted and the hierarchy was refined for patrons to easily navigate. We also decided to visually represent sea creatures displayed in tanks. Birch Aquarium is now equipped with a map to share with its visitors and now has a map that can be changed to match its exhibits.

 
 
 
 
 

Sea Creature Illustrations

Birch loved the tank illustration system in the map, and we have collaborated with their Senior Designer, Jordann Tomasek, and the Birch Aquarium Husbandry team to develop custom, scientifically accurate vector illustrations for a variety of sea creatures. These illustrations have been used on signage, banners, print ads, promotional materials, social media, brand identity, etc.

images sourced Jordann Tomasek

 
 

"I've worked with Cinder now on several projects and cannot say enough great things about their creativity, work and results. They were able to help me solidify a brand direction for Birch Aquarium and have continued to be a resource for our team when we need specialty-designed pieces. I cannot recommend them enough!"

– Jordann Tomasek, Senior Designer & Photographer | Birch Aquarium at Scripps