Pacific Aquarium Рэбрэндынг by Mikayla Gao

Pacific Aquarium Рэбрэндынг by Mikayla Gao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Жалезная прэмія A' Design Award in Дызайн графікі, ілюстрацыі і візуальнай камунікацыі Competition Category.

ЖалезаГрафіка· 2025

Pacific Aquarium Рэбрэндынг

by Mikayla Gao

Жалезная прэмія A' Design Award Winner in Графіка Category

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Colors

The Design

About Pacific Aquarium Рэбрэндынг

Як найбуйнейшы акварыум Паўднёвай Каліфорніі, Ціхаакіянскі акварыум найлепшым чынам прадстаўляе багатую разнастайнасць Ціхага акіяна. Рэбрэндынг палепшыў чытэльнасць і запамінальнасць, а таксама спрасціў назву да The Pacific Aquarium. Дызайн уключае плыннныя формы і уласны шрыфт, якія адлюстроўваюць дынамічную прыроду акіяна і ўмацоўваюць місію акварыума па забеспячэнні даступнасці, адукацыі і захаванні праз адаптыўную, цэласную візуальную ідэнтычнасць.

The Recognition

About the Жалезная прэмія A' Design Award

Pacific Aquarium Рэбрэндынг — пераможца Жалезнай прэміі A' Design Award, прэстыжнага прызнання, якое прысуджаецца добрым дызайнам, што адпавядаюць прафесійным і прамысловым патрабаванням, чаканым ад добра распрацаваных твораў. Жалезныя пераможцы дэманструюць вялікае майстэрства, высокую спецыялізацыю, экспертнае разуменне і творчыя здольнасці сваіх стваральнікаў. Чакаецца, што Pacific Aquarium Рэбрэндынг — гэта высока цэнены, захапляльны і любімы твор, практычны і інавацыйны. Гэты дызайн, што атрымаў Жалезную прэмію A' Design Award, інтэгруе лепшыя галіновыя практыкі і мае кампетэнтныя тэхнічныя характарыстыкі, звязаныя з ноу-хау і талентам. Pacific Aquarium Рэбрэндынг паважаецца за грунтоўнасць і прызначаны даваць паляпшэнні якасці жыцця, што дапамагаюць зрабіць свет лепшым месцам.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: As Southern California’s largest aquarium, the Pacific Aquarium showcases best representing the Pacific Ocean’s rich diversity. The rebranding improved legibility and memorability and simplified the name to "The Pacific Aquarium." The design features fluid shapes and a custom font, evoking the ocean’s dynamic nature and reinforcing the aquarium’s mission of accessibility, education, and conservation through an adaptable, cohesive visual identity.
Dimensions & Packaging: The new identity system is applied across all physical and digital touchpoints, including posters, signage, and stationery set. The identity also spans the aquarium’s desktop and mobile website, ensuring accessibility and fluid user experience across all platforms. The generative card tool provides members with customizable design options for their membership cards.
Tags: rebranding, brand identity, concept, institutional communication, graphic, logo, generative design, font design, ArtCenter College of Design
Production Technology: The design was inspired by the fluidity of the ocean, and translated into a custom modular font. The exhibition typeface was developed using generative design techniques to create symbols reflecting the urgency of ocean conservation. The design was applied across various media, ensuring visual coherence from small-scale digital assets to large-scale physical installations, providing a consistent identity for the Pacific Aquarium.
Design Challenge: The hardest part of this design activity was balancing the need for a modern, cohesive identity while preserving the educational and conservation values of the Pacific Aquarium. The challenge lay in creating a fluid, adaptable design that worked across various media platforms, from digital interfaces to large-scale exhibits.
Research: I analyzed the branding of existing aquariums and conservation organizations by collecting visual data from their exhibits, signage, and digital platforms, and reviewing user feedback and engagement metrics to understand public perception. The research helped shape a design that fosters engagement, enhances the visitor experience, and encourages a deeper connection between the aquarium and the community. This adaptable identity improved branding while bridging the gap between design, education, and environmental awareness, creating a more engaging and effective experience for all audiences.
Inspiration: The new identity serves as a “window,” embracing the ocean’s dynamic and inclusive nature while connecting visitors to the marine world. It reflects the aquarium’s mission to educate, engage, and promote ocean conservation. The open, adaptable design elements invite audiences to explore marine life, reinforcing the Pacific Aquarium’s role as an accessible gateway to learning about the ocean and its ecosystems.
Project Duration: This project was completed over 14 weeks, from September 15, 2023, to December 15, 2023, as part of my coursework at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California.
Operation Flow: The creation of a new identity for the Pacific Aquarium brings a more accessible and inclusive design, ensuring maximum impact on the institution’s mission. The fluid, modern design system is applied consistently across all physical and digital platforms, from exhibit signage to online content, making it easily recognizable to visitors. The customizable membership card system further enhances visitor interaction. This cohesive visual identity strengthens the connection between the aquarium and its audience, fostering recognition and engagement with educational and conservation initiatives.
Team Members: Mikayla Gao
Image Credits: Image #5: Should Wang, Tainan Art Museum, 2019, Unsplash.