Illustration with the word "Dig!" surrounded by archaeological tools like a pickaxe, trowel, and brush, along with dinosaur footprints and a magnifying glass.
Adobe Illustrator logo featuring the letters 'Ai' in orange on a dark background.

Dig!

Experiential / Exhibit and Brand Design

Fall 2024

Adobe Dimension logo, green letters "Dn" on a dark green background.
Adobe InDesign logo with "Id" on a dark background
3D model of a dinosaur-themed cafe named "Dino Cafe". The structure features a large dinosaur figure, foliage, and a rustic wall with the word "Dig!"

What is Dig!?

Dig! is a branding and environmental design project for an educational children's fossil dig exhibit.

The deliverables include a full branding system, environment design, guidebook, advertising, wayfinding, and kiosk design. The brand features playful vector characters, plant imagery, earth tones, and simple patterns to create a welcoming, prehistoric-themed experience for children and parents.

Illustration of a T-Rex wearing a safari hat and holding a pickaxe.
Interactive display with helmets and a sign reading "Take a helmet!" in a museum setting, featuring a dinosaur model and jungle-themed decor.
Interior design of a themed restaurant with "Dig!" branding, featuring dinosaur footprints on the floor, tropical plants, and rustic wooden furniture, including tables and a small hut structure.

Brand Design

Font samples of Gambado Sans Forte and Avenir Roman with uppercase and lowercase letters.
Dinosaur footprint icons in different shades with hex codes #c6c091, #bba56d, #866b43, #aaaf89, #7a7f5e, #363428.
Illustration of archaeological tools including a pickaxe, trowel, brush, and magnifying glass, with the word "Dig!" and dinosaur footprints.
"Dig!" text with archaeology tools, footprints, pickaxe, trowel, brush, magnifying glass.

Character Design

To make the brand more engaging and give it a friendly, interactive face, I designed these approachable characters.

They create an emotional connection with children, attract visitors to the exhibit, and offer valuable advertising and photo opportunities.

Cartoon sauropod dinosaur standing with a long neck and tail.
Cartoon dinosaur wearing a safari hat and holding a pickaxe
Illustration of a cartoon pterodactyl flying with a camera around its neck.

Character Kiosks

To be incorporated into the exhibit, the characters were turned into 3D objects and added into the environment.

Character kiosks enhance interactivity and serve as mobile marketing tools, boosting visibility and engagement.

Outdoor café with dinosaur theme, featuring tables, chairs, dinosaur footprints, plant decorations, and a dinosaur sculpture.
Illustration comparing the size of two cartoon dinosaurs and a human silhouette. On the left, a tall dinosaur, 8 feet tall and 7 feet long. On the right, a smaller dinosaur wearing a hat, holding a pickaxe, 6 feet tall and 8 feet long. A human silhouette with a child is in the center, both 6 feet tall.
Dinosaur-themed cafe with "Dino Cafe" sign and greenery on wooden structure
Isometric view of a small, stylized courtyard scene with textured walls. Features include potted plants, a round table with chairs, lanterns, and a wooden structure with an orange roof. The walls have abstract patterns and greenery on top.

GuideBook

Each child visitor receives a complimentary guidebook on paleontologists' tools.

Designed to resemble a scientist's field journal, it features photorealistic images, vector graphics, and simple instructions.

Playful typography enhances readability and visual appeal.

Children's paleontology field guide with a magnifying glass illustration and a person examining a rock with a magnifying glass.
Children's paleontology exhibit images featuring cartoon dinosaurs, magnifying glass, and fossil excavation with brushes. Includes fun facts and instructions about using tools to study fossils, with images of dinosaur bones and excavation scenes.
Collage of dinosaur-themed book pages with illustrations and fossils.

Banners

Multi-angle banners were designed to promote the exhibit and engage audiences.

Contrast was achieved by integrating interactive vectorized and photorealistic elements for a dynamic visual impact.

Graphic with dinosaur and digging themed banners, showing fossils, a cartoon dinosaur with a hard hat, and hands brushing sand off artifacts.
Illustration comparing heights of dinosaur fossils and humans. On the left, labeled 15ft, is an abstract dinosaur drawing. In the center, labeled 6ft, is an image of hands brushing a dinosaur fossil. On the right, silhouettes of a 6ft tall adult and a child waving.
Two vertical banners on poles, featuring dinosaur-themed designs. One banner has a cartoon dinosaur with a hat and hammer, the other shows a child examining a dinosaur fossil.
Illustrated signs with cartoon dinosaurs and fossil excavation theme.

Wayfinding Kiosks

The wayfinding design, mounted on a pole with directional signage, features protruding elements and utilizes the brand’s font. The signs remain cohesive to the natural, cave-like theme.

Wayfinding signs guide visitors efficiently while doubling as branded visuals that enhance the exhibit’s presence.

Illustrated wooden sign with the word "Cafe" and leaves on top
Illustration of arrow-shaped sign with the word 'Excavation' and plant leaves decor.
Silhouette of an adult and child next to a signpost with arrows labeled "Cafe" and "Excavation," featuring foliage and height measurements of 3 feet and 6 feet.
Inside a prehistoric-themed room with wooden signs labeled "Cafe" and "Excavation," surrounded by green chairs, plants, and a dinosaur figure.

An educational display kiosk was designed to be attached to the wall. On it are hook with hanging pith helmets that visitors are encouraged to use and bring back.

Infographic displaying a board titled 'Take a helmet!' with illustrations of pith helmets. Includes a description about pith helmets and silhouettes of a person and child for size comparison. Board dimensions are 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide.
Children's play area with dinosaur cutout, palm trees, and 'Take a helmet!' display
Graphic illustration with dinosaur bones, foot prints, and tools related to excavation. Includes text "Dig!" in various styles, a section labeled "Dino Cafe," and a sign pointing to "Bathrooms" and "Excavation."

Wall Elevations

3D rendering of a dinosaur-themed cafe called Dino Cafe with round tables, green chairs, and a dinosaur statue. The cafe has a rustic design with decorative plants and dinosaur motifs on the walls.