Course: CCT204H5 (Design Thinking I)

Medium: Adobe Illustrator

Styles & Techniques: Vector Illustration, Experiential Design

​

For my "fun place" concept, I envisioned the Niagara Marinelife Reserve, a dedicated marine sanctuary focused on the protection of both captive and endangered sea life. This reserve reflects my deep love for animals and my concern for their welfare, particularly in light of Marineland Niagara Falls' recent animal cruelty allegations (Robertson, 2021). While acknowledging the significant need for tourism and employment in the Niagara area, which Marineland historically provided, the reserve would offer a unique blend of entertainment and education. It would serve as a secure haven for ailing sea creatures and provide a permanent home for retired show animals that, unfortunately, cannot be returned to the wild. The three accompanying signs would guide visitors to the park's major areas: Whale Watch Cove, the Keiko Amphitheatre, and the Marinelife Infirmary and Aquarium.

​

Each sign developed for the reserve reflects its core themes: educational, authentic, and interactive. This approach inspired design concepts that prioritized the specific needs of lifelong captive animals, focusing on lifelike, spacious environments that allow for routine interaction with caretakers. To further emphasize each exhibit's natural yet comforting atmosphere, I used soft pastels, particularly appropriate pale blue hues, across all sign concepts. A minimalist combination of shapes, paint strokes, and line art was also employed to prevent clutter and ensure messages were conveyed quickly. 

​

These creative aspects were especially vital for Whale Watch Cove, the reserve's large man-made lake for whales and dolphins. Since the lake would also host whale-watching sessions, its sign needed to convey its immense size. This was achieved through perspective, rendering the viewing boat minuscule compared to a whale's massive tail. A similar effect was used for the Keiko Amphitheatre's sign, named after the orca from Free Willy. Here, distant seating indicates the vast space provided for animals to exercise and play during informational lectures.

​

Conversely, the infirmary's sign used an opposite effect; large illustrations suggest visitors will have a closer, more personal experience with recovering animals in their temporary tanks. Across all three signs, a shared focus was placed on the exhibits' inhabitants: the animals remained the largest element on each sign, underscoring not only the sign's purpose but also the animals' paramount importance to the sanctuary.