Venom

Exhibit

Project Overview

Venom explored the science, mystery, and cultural fascination behind some of the world’s most feared animals. From snakes and spiders to jellyfish and cone snails, the exhibit aimed to educate visitors about the biological function of venom and dispel widespread myths rooted in fear. My role was to create visuals and exhibit graphics that made this intense subject both accessible and captivating for a wide-ranging audience.

Goals

My goal was to create graphics that guided visitors naturally through the space, simplified key biological mechanisms, and allowed curiosity to override fear. I collaborated with exhibit designers, developers, animators, and scientists to produce print and digital illustrations that highlighted the diversity and function of venom across species. I also redesigned the Digital ID system to support touchless interaction, presenting layered content in a way that was both accessible and intuitive. Every design decision aimed to balance scientific clarity with visual storytelling.

The process began by developing a graphic language that could carry both scientific credibility and visual drama. I worked with the content and scientific teams to distill key learning points, then created early wireframes and visual prototypes for each section of the exhibit. I directed the use of color and type to match the emotional tone of each species, using saturated backgrounds and sharp typographic contrast to create a sense of both tension and intrigue.

Venom Exhibit

Illustration / Interactive / Animation

Experience the Cobra's Defense exhibit interactive structure

This interactive depicts an animation showcasing how a Cobra defends itself against it's predators. Peek your head into the cobras mouth, and experience a surprise during the cobras striking sequence. This element of the exhibit required coordination between designers, animators, scientists, audio/visual mechanics, and exhibit preparators.

With the new exhibit came an opportunity to update our Digital ID system. Beginning with this exhibit, and ultimately extending to the rest of the museum, I developed a workflow and interface that would allow for flexibility of content, while also allowing each ID to be individualized to match the exhibit overall and the specific animal (or animals) being shown.

CASE STUDY

Digital Screen Animal IDs

UI / UX / Interactive Flow

An early iteration of the system allows for many new capabilities, including a map, photo gallery, video component, and even extra room for additional species information. The barrier to this as a solution ultimately became the lack of available content, which signaled a need to reign in our options.

Digital ID screens with interactive areas and text blocks

Once the amount, and types, of content were established, various screen were configured and word counts were established in order to create a content management system that would allow content managers to easily update screens at ease.

In addition to developing a system by which content could be changed, the CMS also allowed for control over the color of various elements in order to better reflect the exhibit. These colors systems could be saved and easily applied to multiple screens as groups, allowing entire changes to go into affect for all exhibit IDs with a single button click.

Ultimately the system allows for the most crucial information on a species/specimen to be displayed alongside a visual. Future iterations (in-progress) will allow for a grid like system of animal selection in addition to the slideshow format seen here.

The entryways of this exhibit are intended to entice and draw guests into the exhibit. For Venom, we were able to achieve two unique entryway structures that are quick to draw the eye, while also fitting with the theme of the exhibit. Working with designers, animators, and audio/visual technicians, these entryways highlight the best of a collaborative working environment.

CASE STUDY

Venom Animated Entryways

Illustration / Animation

Early iterations of the entryway explore various geometry and animal combination concepts. From the initial explorations, we understood the importance of having the entryway be both something that draws guests to the exhibit, but doesn't overshadow the exhibit itself. A subtle wow factor was key.

In addition to the unique geometry and illustrations of the exhibit and entryway, another important aspect of drawing quests attention was movement. A dimensional structure with printed elements was set as the canvas for a projected animation. Combining both print and projected animation onto the exhibit entryways involved a lot of trial and error, coordination, and planning in order to achieve an ultimately seamless attraction.

In the end, the entryways became a highlight of the exhibit, with it's subtle movements to what would otherwise appear to be printed illustrations. The final results continue to wow guests.

Outcome

Venom draws visitors into an immersive experience that blended science with striking visual storytelling. Guests were particularly captivated by the animated entryway, which set the tone for a space filled with wonder, surprise, and discovery. The redesigned Digital ID system was well-received for its intuitive, touchless interface, and was later adopted throughout the museum as a standard for future exhibits. The exhibit’s bold graphics and layered, accessible content helped visitors engage deeply with a topic that’s often misunderstood, transforming fear into fascination.

What I learned

This project deepened my skills in working across departments to unify science communication with visual storytelling. I learned how to art direct specialized content — like venom chemistry and animal physiology — in a way that’s digestible to families and school groups, while maintaining scientific integrity. It also taught me how to build an experience that balances emotional tension with curiosity, and to use design to replace fear with fascination.