Ever since my very first trip to visit the Everglades when I was ten years old, I have been passionate about its preservation. For my AIGA Mentorship project, I have created an interactive and educational exhibit about the Everglades. This exhibit was designed to be located within the Orlando International Airport (MCO) so that travelers from all over the world would have the opportunity to learn about the importance of the Everglades in a fun and engaging way while waiting for their flights.
The Everglades are more important to Florida than most realize. Apart from being a critical ecosystem for thousands of plant and animal species to live, the Everglades provide drinking water to over 8 million people in Florida. Also, the Everglades protect Florida by acting as a natural barrier to hurricanes and flooding as well as support the massive $1.2+ billion fishing industry of the state. Due to human development and pollution from waste, pesticides, and other toxins, the Everglades have decreased in size by over 50% and continue to be at risk today.
The Essential Everglades exhibit features both physical touchscreen displays within the airport as well as interactive augmented reality (AR) activities through the exhibit's website. This way, travelers have the option of visiting the physical exhibit and/or scanning a QR code to take them to the Essential Everglades' mobile site while they wait for flights and pass the time during layovers.
Essential Everglades Logo System
The logo for the Essential Everglades exhibit was inspired by "Old Florida" tourism. The icon is meant to resemble a postage stamp from a postcard and the lines cutting through it symbolize the rivers of water that cut through the Everglades swamps.
Essential Everglades Airport Signage
Essential Everglades Touchscreen Panel Exhibit
The Essential Everglades physical exhibit would consist of three large, double-sided touchscreen panels. These would be located in a heavily-traversed area of the Orlando International Airport such as near the food court.
The panels would have interactive elements such as a Florida Panther walking across the screens or sliding buttons that guests can move up and down to trigger animations.
Interact with the touchscreen exhibit 3D model below:
Essential Everglades Mobile Site
Essential Everglades AR Activities
A huge Thank You to Anna McCarty, my amazing mentor! I am so grateful for all of your guidance and support!