Environmental & Wayfinding Design: WildScapes Installation

Wilder institute/Calgary Zoo

Contributions > Interpretive Design / Environmental Graphics / Wayfinding / Signage System Design / Exhibit Storytelling / Production Coordination

Overview

During construction within the Canadian Wilds zone, the visitor experience at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo became fragmented. Circulation paths shifted, familiar routes were disrupted, and there was a need to maintain both clarity and engagement during a period of operational change. The WildScapes installation was introduced within the Dorothy Harvie Gardens as a temporary solution to address this gap, featuring large-scale plant sculptures forming animal figures and requiring a signage system that could guide, inform, and immerse visitors.

Approach

Collaborated with Interpretive Planning, Marketing & Communications, and Production teams to develop a comprehensive interpretive and wayfinding system tailored to the temporary installation.
Integrated safety, education, and navigation into a unified signage framework, ensuring visitors could move intuitively through the space while engaging with the conservation narrative.
Drew creative direction from the surrounding landscape, utilizing organic forms inspired by leaves, petals, and natural silhouettes for custom die-cut signage elements that blended seamlessly into the garden environment.
Established typography and color systems to ensure consistency across all touchpoints, with campaign-aligned headers and brand-standard body copy for accessibility.
Expanded the project into a broader wayfinding strategy across the zoo, including map updates and new directional signage in response to changing circulation patterns.
Developed custom iconography integrated with existing branded elements to reinforce a cohesive visual language throughout the park.

Outcomes

Delivered a scalable, adaptable signage system that maintained clarity and strengthened conservation storytelling within a temporary and evolving environment.
Achieved seamless integration of educational content, navigation, and visual identity within the WildScapes installation.
Supported intuitive visitor movement and engagement, even during periods of operational change.

Impact

Enhanced visitor navigation and maintained positive guest experiences during construction and route changes.
Elevated the zoo’s conservation messaging and visual cohesion across both the installation and the broader park environment.
Demonstrated the power of thoughtful design to support engagement, clarity, and mission-driven storytelling, regardless of environmental constraints.