Pacific Aquarium Àtúnṣe Àmì by Mikayla Gao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Àwòrán, Àpèjúwe àti Ìbánisọ̀rọ̀ Ojú-Ìwòran Competition Category.
IrinÀwòrán· 2025
Pacific Aquarium Àtúnṣe Àmì
by Mikayla Gao
Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award Winner in Àwòrán Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #164272The Design
About Pacific Aquarium Àtúnṣe Àmì
Gẹ́gẹ́ bí aquarium tó tóbi jùlọ ní Gúúsù California, Pacific Aquarium ń ṣàfihàn tó sì ń ṣe aṣojú ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ oríṣiríṣi Òkun Pacific dáradára. Àtúnṣe àmì yìí mú kí ó rọrùn láti kà àti láti rántí, ó sì ṣe ìrọ̀rùn orúkọ náà sí The Pacific Aquarium. Àpẹrẹ náà ní àwọn àpẹrẹ tó ń ṣàn bí omi àti ọ̀nà kíkọ lẹ́tà àkànṣe, tó ń rán ìṣesí àyípadà òkun létí tó sì ń mú ète aquarium náà nípa wíwọlé, ẹ̀kọ́, àti ìtọ́jú lágbára nípasẹ̀ àmì-ìdánimọ̀ ọ̀nà-ìran tó ní ìṣọ̀kan tó sì lè báramu.
The Recognition
About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award
Pacific Aquarium Àtúnṣe Àmì jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ olókìkí tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe tó dára tí wọ́n pàdé àwọn ohun tí iṣẹ́ àti ilé-iṣẹ́ nílò tí a retí láti ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn ẹ̀dá tí a ṣàwòṣe dáradára. Àwọn olùborí Irin ń fi ìjáfáfá ńlá, ìmọ̀ pàtó gíga, òye ògbóǹtarìgì àti agbára ìṣẹ̀dá àwọn olùṣẹ̀dá wọn hàn. A retí pé Pacific Aquarium Àtúnṣe Àmì yóò jẹ́ ẹ̀dá tí a kà sí gidigidi, tí a gbóríyìn fún tí a sì nífẹ̀ẹ́, tó wúlò tó sì ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award yìí ń kó àwọn ọ̀nà tó dára jùlọ ilé-iṣẹ́ jọ, ó sì ní àwọn ànímọ́ ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ tó péye tí a so mọ́ ìmọ̀ ṣíṣe àti ẹ̀bùn. A bọ̀wọ̀ fún Pacific Aquarium Àtúnṣe Àmì nítorí ìfọ̀kànbalẹ̀ rẹ̀, a sì ṣàwòṣe rẹ̀ láti pèsè ìmúdára ìgbésí ayé tó ń ran ayé lọ́wọ́ láti di ibi tó dára jù.
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.
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