Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory - Building Dedication
Carbon Capture Microcapsule Display Cases
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) held a dedication ceremony for the new Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AML) building this January.
The 14,000-square-foot facility supports the partnership between public and private material manufacturing in the open campus area. To prepare for the dedication AML added two display cases to showcase the work being done in the new building. One in the viewing corridor where visitors can watch ongoing research activities and one in the lobby.
The facility hosts two labs, which includes the work of Conwang Ye, who leads the Carbon Capture Microcapsule study. He asked me to illustrate the process he uses in his study. I used Adobe Illustrator to create a vector illustration of the process schematic and the high-throughput production machine he created. It was a challenge because my example was a simplified digital image and verbal explanation. I couldn't look this up on the internet to see examples because this was something built just for this study.
Before I share the display I'd like to start with a video created by the LLNL Public Affairs design team for our YouTube channel. The video features Congwang Ye explaining how microcapsule technology is so useful. This video was helpful to me in starting the project because I was able to get an understanding of the capabilities behind microcapsule technology. In turn, I was able to better communicate the information effectively to a visitor walking by the display.
The front lobby display is the first thing visitors will see when they enter the building. So, I wanted the display to really catch the eye and do justice to the great work they've been doing for the environment. The carbon capture microcapsules are purple so I chose to pair the images with blues so the whole display is filled with analogous colors.
Below is a video of the lobby display which shows the interactivity. The two microcapsule photos on the left were made with lenticular printing so it appears to move when the viewer walks by the display. This was a great solution in how to show the capsule movement without using video in the display.
Below is the laboratory viewing corridor display. During the dedication and tours, this is where the visitors will stop with a tour guide for viewing. The tour guide can use the display to explain more clearly the work that's being performed in the lab.
I had several meetings with the team to make sure I understood the process they were using. I needed to breakdown their innovative, detailed work to a nonscientist level. The tour is hosted by a scientist who will use the display to help explain microcapsules.
The illustration is the linear process used to produce its revolutionary results, enabling new applications such as clean air and safe products to protect the environment.
Typically 3D programs would have been used to create the detailed images below. Having a traditional painter background, I like to add that same delicate look to my vector art. The result is somewhat realistic with an artistic touch. I think it's more relatable and engaging, especially in the scientific realm were computer-generated drawings are most often used.
For the application panel, I wanted to use a mini infographic to show all the different ways microcapsules impact the world. The icons are my original design and add to the graphic effect.
