Illustration of archaeological tools including a pickaxe, trowel, brush, and magnifying glass, with the word "Dig!" and dinosaur footprints.
Cartoon dinosaur wearing a safari hat and holding a pickaxe

Dig! – Conceptual Kids’ Environmental and Brand Design

Dig! is a playful kids’ paleontology exhibit designed to spark curiosity and creativity to children who visit. It turns a hands-on fossil dig site into a fun, story-filled adventure where children can dig in sand pits to uncover dinosaur bones and learn like real paleontologists.

The exhibit includes interactive kiosks, illustrated banners, and a companion guidebook, all designed to make science feel exciting, approachable, and full of wonder while staying educational.

Dinosaur-themed cafe with "Dino Cafe" sign and greenery on wooden structure
Isometric view of a small, stylized courtyard scene with textured walls. Features include potted plants, a round table with chairs, lanterns, and a wooden structure with an orange roof. The walls have abstract patterns and greenery on top.

Design Goals

  • Create a fun, cohesive brand identity for a kids’ paleontology exhibit that feels both educational and imaginative.

  • Design friendly dinosaur illustrations and interactive graphics for signage, kiosks, and print materials.

  • Develop an inviting space where children can learn through play and digging for fossils like paleontologists.

Deliverables

  • Logo and visual identity system (primary logo, icons, exhibit wordmark)

  • Color palette, typography guide, pattern designs

  • Illustrated dinosaur and graphics for signage and kiosks

  • Exhibit branding and environmental graphics (dig site, café area, wayfinding)

  • Educational guidebook design and layout

  • Marketing and promotional banner designs

Tools

  • Illustrator

  • Photoshop

  • Dimension

Wall Elevations

Graphic illustration with dinosaur bones, foot prints, and tools related to excavation. Includes text "Dig!" in various styles, a section labeled "Dino Cafe," and a sign pointing to "Bathrooms" and "Excavation."

Initial Rough Sketches/ Ideation

Brand Elements

Logo

Illustration of archaeological tools including a pickaxe, trowel, brush, and magnifying glass, with the word "Dig!" and dinosaur footprints.

Primary

Typeface

Color Palette

Logo Mark

Character Illustrations

Pattern Design

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I chose these earthy colors to feel natural and approachable for children while still being readable in signage.

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Cartoon sauropod dinosaur standing with a long neck and tail.
Cartoon dinosaur wearing a safari hat and holding a pickaxe
Illustration of a cartoon pterodactyl flying with a camera around its neck.

Guidebook

Children's paleontology field guide with a magnifying glass illustration and a person examining a rock with a magnifying glass.
Children's paleontology exhibit images featuring cartoon dinosaurs, magnifying glass, and fossil excavation with brushes. Includes fun facts and instructions about using tools to study fossils, with images of dinosaur bones and excavation scenes.

Kiosk Elevations

Illustration comparing the size of two cartoon dinosaurs and a human silhouette. On the left, a tall dinosaur, 8 feet tall and 7 feet long. On the right, a smaller dinosaur wearing a hat, holding a pickaxe, 6 feet tall and 8 feet long. A human silhouette with a child is in the center, both 6 feet tall.
Infographic displaying a board titled 'Take a helmet!' with illustrations of pith helmets. Includes a description about pith helmets and silhouettes of a person and child for size comparison. Board dimensions are 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide.
Silhouette of an adult and child next to a signpost with arrows labeled "Cafe" and "Excavation," featuring foliage and height measurements of 3 feet and 6 feet.

Banner Design & Elevation

Illustration comparing heights of dinosaur fossils and humans. On the left, labeled 15ft, is an abstract dinosaur drawing. In the center, labeled 6ft, is an image of hands brushing a dinosaur fossil. On the right, silhouettes of a 6ft tall adult and a child waving.
Two vertical banners on poles, featuring dinosaur-themed designs. One banner has a cartoon dinosaur with a hat and hammer, the other shows a child examining a dinosaur fossil.
Illustrated signs with cartoon dinosaurs and fossil excavation theme.