Pacific Aquarium Kev Hloov Kho Hom Npe by Mikayla Gao

Pacific Aquarium Kev Hloov Kho Hom Npe by Mikayla Gao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Hlau in Tsim Duab Kos, Duab Piav thiab Kev Sib Txuas Lus Pom Competition Category.

HlauDuab Kos· 2025

Pacific Aquarium Kev Hloov Kho Hom Npe

by Mikayla Gao

A' Design Award Hlau Winner in Duab Kos Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Pacific Aquarium Kev Hloov Kho Hom Npe

Ua Southern California lub chaw saib ntses loj tshaj plaws, Pacific Aquarium qhia tau zoo tshaj plaws txog Dej Hiav Txwv Pacific tej kev nplua nuj ntau yam. Qhov kev hloov kho hom npe tau txhim kho kev nyeem thiab nco tau yooj yim dua thiab ua kom lub npe yooj yim mus rau The Pacific Aquarium. Qhov kev tsim muaj cov duab ntws thiab cov ntawv tsim tshwj xeeb, qhia txog dej hiav txwv tej yam ntxwv muaj zog thiab txhawb lub chaw ntses lub hom phiaj ntawm kev nkag tau yooj yim, kev qhia kawm, thiab kev txuag cia los ntawm tus qauv pom tau uas hloov tau thiab sib haum xeeb.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Hlau

Pacific Aquarium Kev Hloov Kho Hom Npe yog tus yeej ntawm A' Design Award Hlau, ib qho kev lees paub muaj meej mom uas muab rau cov qauv tsim zoo uas ua tau raws li cov kev xav tau ntawm kev ua haujlwm thiab kev lag luam uas xav tau los ntawm cov khoom tsim zoo. Cov neeg yeej Hlau qhia txog kev txawj loj, kev paub tshwj xeeb siab, kev nkag siab ntawm cov kws tshaj lij thiab lub peev xwm tsim ntawm cov neeg tsim. Pacific Aquarium Kev Hloov Kho Hom Npe xav tias yuav yog ib qho khoom tsim uas neeg hwm, qhuas thiab hlub uas siv tau thiab tsim tshiab. Cov qauv tsim yeej A' Design Award Hlau no sib xyaw cov kev coj ua zoo tshaj plaws ntawm kev lag luam thiab muaj cov yam ntxwv siv tshuab txawj ntse txuas nrog kev paub thiab txuj ci. Pacific Aquarium Kev Hloov Kho Hom Npe tau txais kev hwm vim nws tag nrho thiab tsim los muab kev txhim kho rau lub neej uas pab ua rau lub ntiaj teb zoo dua.

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.