Cincinnati Zoo Habitat Signage
A partner project created for my Design Systems II class exploring experiential graphic design.
Client
Our chosen client, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, is known as the Greenest Zoo in America for its commitment to sustainable practices and contribution to conservation.
We identified two key locations for signage improvement within the Cincinnati Zoo: the habitat areas for Cat Canyon and Night Hunters. These habitat areas are located right next to each other at the Zoo, and visitors often visit both habitat areas, rather than just one or the other.
We identified two key locations for signage improvement within the Cincinnati Zoo: the habitat areas for Cat Canyon and Night Hunters. These habitat areas are located right next to each other at the Zoo, and visitors often visit both habitat areas, rather than just one or the other.
Phase I - Gather Insights
We were tasked with creating a wayfinding system - but due to the unique nature of our client, our signage system began to evolve into an educational & wayfinding signage project.
After determining the habitat areas we wished to improve, we crafted a survey to gather guest feedback on current signage and met with the Design Director at the Zoo to implement it.
We identified nine signs - five across Cat Canyon and four across Night Hunters - that we could work to improve throughout the semester.
After determining the habitat areas we wished to improve, we crafted a survey to gather guest feedback on current signage and met with the Design Director at the Zoo to implement it.
We identified nine signs - five across Cat Canyon and four across Night Hunters - that we could work to improve throughout the semester.
Phase II - Ideate & Improve
From guest feedback, we determined that there was a need and desire for more tactile signage as well as more educational information.
We began ideating upon improvements for each of our nine selected signs.
We began ideating upon improvements for each of our nine selected signs.
Phase III - Finalize System
Ultimately, we designed eleven signs to replace nine existing signs. Breaking up information, adding wayfinding and regulatory signage, and improving the existing signs were key to developing the sign type families for both Cat Canyon and Night Hunters.
Final Sign Type Family - Cat Canyon
Final Sign Type Family - Night Hunters
