I was the lead in-house graphic designer on the American Museum of Natural History's largest capital project in 20 years, the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. After an early design phase by RAA, I evolved the visual language for the Insectarium, developed new infographic styles, and I designed and produced the majority of the individual graphics in this hall. I did lots of my own photo research, illustration, and project management.
Design team:
Catharine Weese, Art Director
Antonia Gabor, Production Manager
Eleanor Kung, Graphic Designer
Ralph Applebaum Associates, Exhibit Design
Catharine Weese, Art Director
Antonia Gabor, Production Manager
Eleanor Kung, Graphic Designer
Ralph Applebaum Associates, Exhibit Design
Platinum 2024 Hermes Creative Award
Silver 2025 Graphis Design Award
Silver 2025 Graphis Design Award
One of the goals of the Insectarium is to help visitors of all ages to see insects in a new way. The common reaction to insects is disgust or fear—of decay, infestation, and the unknown. In the Insectarium, the graphics and storytelling are welcoming, humorous, and strive to create a feeling of wonder and beauty. Many species hide in plain sight or are so small that we cannot see them, but their lives are complex and their role in our own ecosystem is vital.
Upon entering the Insectarium, visitors are met with bright colors and spectacular photography showing the real beauty of insects. The exhibits vary greatly, including both live species and pinned species, soundscapes, and touchable models. Each individual story was designed with great attention to hierarchy, providing a breadth of experience for visitors of all ages and interest-levels. I also developed many infographics to help present scientific content in way that’s more accessible to visual learners and non-English-speaking visitors.
After an initial round of design done by RAA, I redefined the typographic styles for the Insectarium and developed a color palette. The space is bright with natural light, so we chose to use white backgrounds and materials. The typefaces that we chose are soft and friendly, and the colors are bright and playful.
Photos courtesy of Cody Powers