Women in American Paleontology Exhibit
Project Identity + Typography + Production
Role Lead Designer
Tools Adobe Illustrator, After Effects, InDesign, Photoshop
Institution Museum of the Earth
For Daring to Dig: Women in American Paleontology, a major exhibition at the Museum of the Earth, I developed a visual identity that honored the historical contributions of women in the field while presenting paleontology as modern, vibrant, and inclusive. The design system needed to resonate with older visitors drawn to scientific history and inspire younger audiences encountering these trailblazing scientists for the first time.
How do you make a historical scientific exhibition feel contemporary and relevant? The exhibit covered five thematic areas (Trailblazers, Strides, Industry, Forefront, and Future) and needed to work for multiple generations while engaging them to learn about and celebrate the pioneering women who have been largely overlooked in the field's history.
The Challenge
I created a dual color strategy where bright, contemporary palettes represented modern stories while muted versions of the same colors grounded the historical sections. This approach created intuitive visual transitions across the exhibit's thematic areas.
To further reinforce the exhibit's mission, I selected women-designed typefaces and built typographic hierarchies that balanced scientific clarity with warmth and accessibility. Working closely with the Director of Exhibitions and the museum's illustrator, we developed custom visual assets that combined accuracy, personality, and narrative strength. This was particularly important given the limited and often low-quality archival photography available.
I designed all exhibit panels across the full Daring to Dig narrative, including support for digital interactives like touchscreen attract screens. I also collaborated on the label design for artifacts within display cases, ensuring the physical and digital components of the exhibit felt cohesive and navigable.
The Approach
Daring to Dig launched with a comprehensive visual identity system that elevated both its educational mission and visitor experience, successfully bridging historical content with contemporary design sensibilities.
Impact & Deliverables:
Developed a multi-palette color system that distinguished historical and contemporary content while creating cohesive visual flow
Selected women-designed typefaces and established hierarchy systems that supported both scientific storytelling and accessibility
Designed all interpretive panels and supported touchscreen interactives to enhance engagement across audiences
Collaborated closely with exhibition leadership and illustration partners to deliver a unified experience despite budget and photography constraints
Helped shape a visitor journey that celebrated the achievements of pioneering women while highlighting the ongoing pursuit of equity in the field