'Super Seagrass' CSI National Marine Aquarium Exhibit...The Process

Back in March I was kindly invited by Bluestone360 Academy to have a meeting to discuss my portfolio.

I met with Neil Bennett, the academy director, and after looking through my work together Neil proposed the opportunity for me work on project with them for the National Marine Aquarium. 

The project was to design a brand new exhibit to be implemented within the Aquarium for the Community Seagrass Initiative - a three year long citizen research project being spearheaded by the Aquarium on the conservation of seagrass meadows and seahorses around the South-West Coastline, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.  

The aim of the exhibit is help engage and educate the general public visiting the Aquarium about the aims of the project, and the opportunities available for them to take part.

The Existing Exhibit Space

I was asked to propose the design of the exhibit that would be suitable for the various members of the public that visit the aquarium. It had to be both attractive and eye-catching, whilst at the same educational and true to the look of the seagrass and it's inhabitants. 

Below is a visual diary of the process Bluestone and I went through to design the finished Exhibit which is now installed and available for you to visit within the Aquarium. 

First came my research into seagrass, its purpose, and the many different creatures

 that call it home.

Next came the fun part, lots of initial ideas and concepts sketches for the seagrass and sea creatures. It was here I had to strike the right balance in capturing the characteristics of the sea creatures, as well as thinking about the right style to portray the seagrass in, given that it is the main focus of the exhibit.

Here is a colour style sheet of different possible looks for the seagrass.

After another meeting with Bluestone to share and discuss the work I had done so far, it was onto channeling my ideas into layout plans for the exhibition space.

As well as showing the many different creatures that use seagrass as a habitat, the aquarium also wanted to have a design which presented the overall ‘story’ of seagrass to help show visitors how they can affect and help seagrass meadows in their daily lifestyles.

I also created a colour mock up of one of the exhibit walls, in order to give the Aquarium a strong idea of what the overall design for the exhibit space could look like.

With these plans and designs in hand, Neil and myself had a meeting with the Aquarium staff, who were extremely happy with my designs and gave me the go ahead to create the artwork for 

rest of the exhibit.

I then worked on applying the key facts & information for the exhibit with Bluestone's

 in-house designer Pete, who found the best method to incorporate them into my design as infographics.

In addition to producing the wall graphics, I also created some silhouette elements that were skilfully used in the exhibit as 3D cutouts by another Bluestone designer, Michelle.

The monitor plays a video of divers out in the Sound studying seagrass.

With the final artwork approved, the designs were prepared for print by Bluestone’s

 head designer Nigel, before being sent off to be printed and installed into the exhibition space. 

Finally this week, I was able to see the final exhibit display for the first time! I have to admit I was pretty excited to see the work I had spent hours viewing on my monitor, printed up full-scale all around me. 

In addition to the wall graphics, Neil asked me to work on designing some interactive elements within exhibit in the form of 'Spinning Discs', which reveal fun facts about different 

seagrass creatures.

My favourite bits of the exhibit would probably have to be, 

the mini Dartmoor (Complete with sheep.)

And the mini Plymouth (City), 

how many building can you recognise?

I also couldn't resist giving myself a 
little cameo on a sail boat. 

I want to say an enormous thank you to Neil, Michelle, Pete, Nigel and the rest of the Bluestone team for giving me the opportunity to work on such a fantastic project, and for all their help and support!

Here's to hopefully much more work together in the future!

See this work and more on my website:
http://www.mike-gamble.co.uk/#/super-seagrass-exhibit/