Pacific Aquarium Whakahouhanga Waitohu nā Mikayla Gao

Ko te hoahoa Pacific Aquarium Whakahouhanga Waitohu nā Mikayla Gao he kaitoa whakahirahira o te 2025 A' Design Award Rino i te Wāhanga Whakataetae Hoahoa Whakairoiro, Whakaahua Ringa me te Whakawhitiwhiti Ataata.

RinoWhakairoiro· 2025

Pacific Aquarium Whakahouhanga Waitohu

nā Mikayla Gao

Kaitoa o te A' Design Award Rino i te Wāhanga Whakairoiro

11,141

Kaitoa Tohu Manatokohia

Manatokohia te Tūnga Tohu mō #164272

Torohia te Pae Tirohia i te A' Design Award Pānui Pāpāho Tohu Tohu

Ngā Tae

Te Hoahoa

Mō Pacific Aquarium Whakahouhanga Waitohu

Hei te aquarium nui rawa atu o Karapōnia ki te Tonga, ko te Pacific Aquarium e whakaatu pai ana i te kanorautanga taonga o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa. I whakapai ake te whakahouhanga waitohu i te māramatanga me te maharatanga, ā, i whakangāwari i te ingoa ki The Pacific Aquarium. Ko te hoahoa e whakaatu ana i ngā āhua rere me te momotuhi ake, e whakaoho ana i te āhua hihiri o te moana, ā, e whakatūturu ana i ngā whāinga o te aquarium mō te wāteatanga, te mātauranga, me te tiakitanga mā te tuakiri ataata urutau, kotahi te whakaaro.

Te Whakamihi

Mō te A' Design Award Rino

Ko Pacific Aquarium Whakahouhanga Waitohu te toa o te A' Design Award Rino, he whakaaetanga whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa pai e whakatutuki ana i ngā hiahia ngaio me te ahumahi e tūmanakohia ana mai i ngā mahi kua hoahoatia pai. Ko ngā toa Rino e whakaatu ana i te pukenga nui, te tohungatanga teitei, te māramatanga mātanga me te kaha auaha o ō rātou kaihanga. E tūmanakohia ana ko Pacific Aquarium Whakahouhanga Waitohu he mahi whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he whaihua, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Rino e whakakotahi ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa o te ahumahi, ā, he āhuatanga hangarau pūkenga tōna e hono ana ki te mōhio me te pūmanawa. E whakahonoretia ana a Pacific Aquarium Whakahouhanga Waitohu mō tōna tōtika, ā, i hoahoatia hei whakapai ake i te kounga o te oranga me te āwhina i te ao kia pai ake.

I Muri i te Hoahoa

Kete Pāpāho

Ngā whakamihi, ngā mema o te rōpū me ngā taipitopito hangarau i whakaratohia e te kaihoahoa.

Āhuatanga Motuhake: 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.
Inenga & Pēketanga: 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.
Tūtohu: rebranding, brand identity, concept, institutional communication, graphic, logo, generative design, font design, ArtCenter College of Design
Hangarau Whakanao: 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.
Wero Hoahoa: 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.
Rangahau: 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.
Whakaaweawe: 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.
Roanga o te Kaupapa: 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.
Rerenga Mahi: 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.
Ngā Mema o te Rōpū: Mikayla Gao
Whakamana Whakaahua: Image #5: Should Wang, Tainan Art Museum, 2019, Unsplash.