Since 1930, the John G. Shedd Aquarium has been connecting the human world to
the aquatic world through its majestic and
unique animals, award-winning exhibits,
leading conservation and research initiatives
and world-class educational programming.
The Aquarium cares for more than 32,000 animals, representing
almost 1,600 species from places all around the globe. From its
architecturally historic aquarium galleries, to its world-renowned
marine mammal pavilion, the Oceanarium, to the colorful and
exciting Wild Reef exhibit, the Shedd Aquarium is one of the
preeminent aquariums in the world.
THE OCEANARIUM18 years and nearly 33 million visitors after it opened,
the Oceanarium has received its first major overhaul.
The popular 3-million-gallon saltwater Oceanarium underwent
major renovations, renewing animal habitats, life-support
systems, hands-on exhibits, and dining areas. The Oceanarium
reopened in May 2009, with new exhibits and experiences,
with increased opportunities for interactions with animals and
the furthering of their conservation and education missions.
The Oceanarium transports guests more than 2,000 miles from downtown Chicago to the Pacific Northwest coast bringing them face-to-face with the natural habitat of dolphins, whales, sea otters and sea lions.
The Shedd Aquarium
ranks as Chicago’s
top-attended cultural
attraction, welcoming
over 2 million guests
throughout the year.
CHICAGO • ILLINOIS • USA
Shedd Aquarium is supported by the people of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Shedd Aquarium is an accredited
member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.
THE POLAR PLAY ZONESHEdd’S fIRST pERMANENT ExHIbIT dESIGNEd ESPECIALLY fOR CHILdREN
Through exploration, observation and play,kids and their families will connect and find inspiration in nature’s animals and opposites.
The Polar Play Zone builds on what parents already know, that children
learn best through play! Add animals to the mix, and there’s no better way
to inspire caring for the natural world. The exhibit has been designed with
children ages 2 to 7 in mind, tapping into children’s natural curiosity through
hands-on exploration, water play and up-close animal encounters. Children
will roll up their sleeves and play in a tidal pool, touch sea stars, frolic
alongside sea otters, search icy caves and pretend to be deep-sea explorers.
Flexible play spaces offer activities to stoke the imagination with costumes,
props, music and art supplies.
Families can take in underwater views of Shedd’s most popular residents,
the returning Beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters and
Magellanic and Rock Hopper penguins. The exhibit features four separate
areas, each dedicated to an extreme environment representing Shedd’s
Oceanarium animals: Shallow Ocean, Deep Ocean, Icy South and Icy North.
We felt that with the right illustration we could create a unique
and charismatic look for The Polar Play Zone. It helped build
a very distinct space within Shedd, that is clearly for children.
~ Kara Kotwas, Sr. Graphic Designer, Shedd Aquarium ~
A BIG ILLUSTRATION PROJECT
Because the Shedd Aquarium is geared towards families, the design team for the Polar Play Zone knew illustration would make this exhibit special for young children. They were looking for an illustrator who was a strong character designer, who could also handle landscapes and nature.
In June of 2008, I was selected to submit samples of work and a proposal
to help the Shedd Aquarium bring the Polar Play Zone to life with my
illustration style. How would I give their four underwater superstars visual
personalities that would invite little ones to observe? How would I stylize the
habitats to ignite curiosity and exploration? After several meetings and many
questions, they awarded me the project and I began pouring all of my skills
and talent into creating the illustrative atmosphere of the Polar Play Zone.
My research was extensive, I looked through many books on all types of
animal and plant sealife. The Shedd supplied me with piles of photos from
their archives and I researched photographers who captured life in the
underwater world. I enthusiastically studied the things I was drawing and
how they existed in their natural environments. Learning about these
magnificent creatures was such a rewarding part of this project!
I worked with a small team of designers at the Shedd Aquarium and we
began the six month process of bringing the graphic elements to life and
applying them to the permanent exhibit pieces. It was great to collaborate
with one of Chicago’s most loved museums and be part of a world-class
organization that desires to create lasting experiences for every guest.
~ Molly Zakrajsek, Illustrator ~
This is the book of the work we did together.
Shallow Ocean invites guests into the active and engaging rocky coastline where texture and touch predominate. A 70 foot long illustrative mural of an environmental tide pool curves around the exhibit, giving the room the distinct feel of a tidal coastline. The blending of realistic rock work with stylized forms creates a bright, colorful world of exploration.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
“The most challenging work for me was the tide pool mural. It was the most time-consuming of all the pieces of the exhibit, and by far, the most rewarding. I love seeing families snapping photos near it or a little one pointing to an image they recognize. Murals bring so much energy to a space!” ~ Molly Z.
PLAY, SPLASH ANd PRETENd IN THE SHALLOW OCEAN
7
THE SHALLOW OCEAN IN THE POLAR PLAY ZONE
The extremes of a tide pool environment become
a kid friendly splash zone in the tide pool touch area.
Children can explore the wonders of water through
touch, interactivity and, best of all, getting wet.
8
IS ALL ABOUT GETTING CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOUCH
This recreated tide pool is full of surprises and secrets
waiting to be discovered. Trigger a sea anemone to wave
its “fingers” in search of food. Find hidden homes for
limpets and barnacles. Sort shells and feel waves lap
along the shore. Roll up your sleeves and feel the rough,
scratchy surfaces of real sea stars. Get nose to nose with
playful, swimming otters and find out lots of fun facts
about Shedd’s furry friends.
9
“I think Polar Play Zone is MORE cohesive than I had imagined. The illustration really helps
everything hang together in a consistent way.”
~ Kara Kotwas, Sr. Graphic Designer, Shedd Aquarium ~
10
11
“We were immediately drawn toMolly’s work for it’s expressiveness
and graphic simplicity.We knew it would be the right
aesthetic for the Polar Play Zone.”~ Kara Kotwas, Sr. Graphic Designer ~
Shedd Aquarium
POLAR PLAY ZONE
SHALLOW OCEAN TIdE POOL MURAL This 70 foot mural curves around the entire Shallow Ocean exhibit.
SHALLOW OCEAN INTERACTIvE SIGNSThese interactive signs are placed near the live otter tank with fun, engaging facts to encourage young visitors to explore.
SHALLOW OCEAN PLAY LABELS Small play labels are placed throughout the exhibit with easy to understand Shallow Ocean facts and activities.
14
SHALLOW OCEAN
POLAR PLAY ZONE BANNER This colorful banner, over 20 feet tall, hangs on the main level of the Oceanarium and invites visitors to go below and explore the Polar Play Zone.
SHALLOW OCEAN ZONE SIGN Dimensional sign hangs above the tide pool mural inviting little ones to learn about tide pool life and play in the water.
SHALLOW OCEAN OPPOSITE dISPLAY Display artwork uses ‘opposite’ themes throughout the exhibit to teach visitors about the lives and habitats of the animals living at the Shedd Aquarium. Play
Pretend
Splash
15
Deep Ocean’s environment is calm and subdued. Long, deep tones wash through the space, interspersed with natural ocean animal sounds. The glow of the water through the massive viewing widows combined with movement and sound transport visitors to the mesmerizing underwater world of the open ocean.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
“This project made me want to be a better artist, to look at things with a more focused eye and to really enjoy the wonderful creativity in our natural world. I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute my skills to further the Shedd’s mission of inspiring exploration and discovery in others.” ~ Molly Z.
RELAX ANd WATCH dOLPHINS PLAY IN THE dEEP OCEAN
19
EXPLORE THE SEEMINGLY ENdLESS WATERY dEPTHS
Filled with cozy spots for families to eat, Deep Ocean
provides a calm setting to take a break and get a snack.
Chill out as you watch dolphins swim near and far.
20
IN THE POLAR PLAY ZONE’S dEEP OCEAN
While parents unwind and enjoy the view, children can
learn about the opposite elements of the dolphin world,
such as leaping up to twenty feet in the air, then diving
down below as fast as a car.
It’s the most serene setting to watch the Pacific white-sided
dolphins swimming throughout Whale Harbor showing off
their playfulness and unique movements.
21
POLAR PLAY ZONE
24
dEEp OCEANINTERACTIvE SIGNSSpaced along the dolphin tanks in the viewing corridor, these interactive signs invite guests to pull, spin and rotate sign pieces to learn interesting opposite facts about Pacific White-sided Dolphins.
dEEp OCEAN
dEEP OCEAN ZONE SIGNDimensional sign hangs above tables in the cafe hallway, where families can take a break from the action and enjoy a meal or snack while watching dolphins play and swim.
25
dEEp OCEANWAY fINdING SIGN Large wall sign directs guests to the Deep Ocean as they continue on through the exhibit.
Icy South is an active area with distinctive natural and environmental elements. Guests are invited to view actual penguins in their habitat or head to different stations to learn about different penguins species. Icy South is a colorful area where children laugh and play while penguins dive and swim in this engaging section of Polar Play Zone. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
“I worked closely with the designers at the Shedd to achieve the right balance of accuracy and playfulness in the illustrations of the main animal characters. They had to be age appropriate and accurate in their markings. I think we arrived at lively characters that are true to form.” ~ Molly Z.
PRETENd YOU’RE A PLAYfUL PENGUIN IN THE ICY SOUTH
27
TRAvEL fAR fROM HOME TO THE ICY SOUTH,
On this frosty coastline, penguins jump, slide and
play. Take a closer look at Shedd’s lively community of
Magellanic and Rock Hopper penguins, always on the
go, both above water and below.
28
A ROCKY SHORE IN THE CHILLY SOUTHERN OCEAN
The Icy South’s Penguin Playscape is a place to learn
about penguins by pretending to be one. Along this
recreated rocky shore, take a turn sliding like a penguin,
or try on a costume and mimic penguins in motion.
Visitors can spend time building a rocky nest and caring
for eggs or a newly hatched chick. Whether they are busy
rock hoppers or imaginative children, penguins are always
in action in the Icy South.
29
“I absolutely loved seeing how Molly
evolved the work tothe next level. Each round of alterations
was like getting a little present in my inbox.”
~ Kara Kotwas, Sr. Graphic Designer ~Shedd Aquarium
POLAR PLAY ZONE
ICY SOUTH INTERACTIvE SIGNS These signs educate visitorson how Penguins survive andinteract in their environment.
ICY SOUTH SMALL PLAY LABELS Illustrated to help young visitors engage in the learning activities at Icy South’s Penguin Playscape.
ICY SOUTH MURAL Placed on the either side of the penguin viewing habitat, these murals visually extend this playful exhibit.
36
ICY SOUTH
ICY SOUTH ZONE SIGNDramatically lighted, this dimensional sign announces the beginning of the Icy South Play Zone.
ICY SOUTH OPPOSITE dISPLAY Display artwork helps visitors find their way to thePolar Play Zone and highlights animal opposite facts.
ICY SOUTH WAY fINdING SIGN Large circular wall graphic points the way to the Icy South as you curve around the exhibit space.
playpretend
splash
37
Icy North provides guests with an intense sensory experience that carries them to the chilly world under the arctic ice. They become explorers of this mysterious realm with dive equipment and a kid-sized submarine. The luminous icy elements and rock work create an evocative environment and dramatic play place. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
“I love being able to work with a group of people who have the big picture in mind and believe that illustration can help establish a memorable, enjoyable experience, especially for kids and families. I would love to do more work for museums and children’s environments.” ~ Molly Z.
EXPLORE UNdERWATER WORLdS IN THE ICY NORTH
39
dISCOvER THE MYSTERIES Of THE fRIGId
Step into the Beluga viewing room in the Icy North
and gaze at the calm "canaries of the sea" while gaining
insight into the beluga's natural environment.
40
NORTHERN WATERS IN POLAR PLAY ZONE’S ICY NORTH
The kid-size submarine invites deep-sea explorers to
submerge into a unique world of sea life that depends on
the icy waters to survive and thrive. Take a look through
a periscope, check gauges and imagine.
Investigate undersea opposites by searching the nooks
and crannies of an icy cave and uncover the secret of how
animals use the ice to stay alive. There are many ways to
explore in the Icy North.
41
“I thought it wasremarkable that Mollywas able to adjust her
typical style just a little,toward a slightly morenaturalistic style, perour request, to give us
exactly what we wanted.”~ Kara Kotwas, Sr. Graphic Designer ~
Shedd Aquarium
POLAR PLAY ZONE BANNER This large Beluga banner suspended from the ceiling on main floor of the Oceanarium guides visitors to the Polar Play Zone on the lower level.
ICY NORTH opposite display Display artwork teaches the concept of opposites to youngsters. These conceptsare used throughout the entire exhibit.
POLAR PLAY ZONE
44
PlayPretend
Splash
ICY NORTHINTERACTIvE SIGNS These signs reveal interesting facts about Beluga Whales.
ICY NORTHZONE SIGNDimensional sign in the Icy Northinviting visitors to an icy world.
ICY NORTH ACTIvITY SIGN Display artwork helps guests learn more about life with Belugas.
ICY NORTH
45
ICY NORTH PLAY LABELS Play labels in the Polar Play Zone invite guests to actively participate in exhibit experiences.
ICY NORTH WAY fINdING SIGN Friendly wall graphic points the way to the Icy North Play Zone.
The best results in creative endeavors seem to happen when peoplecome together and share their many talents, insight, and resources.
This book was brought to life through the generous and collaborativeefforts of Molly Z. Art+design, Subzero design and SR Studio.
MOLLY Z. ART+dESIGN www.mollyz.net
Molly Z. spends most of her time striving to create imagery that captures people’s vision,
engages their minds, ignites their hearts and inspires action. Her illustrative characters are
iconic and fun, existing in playful environments of quirky shapes and bright colors. She is
known for her ability to graphically stylize people, animals and objects, giving them unique
visual personalities. She uses color in fresh new combinations to create vibrant illustrations
that are festive, modern, and lively. You can see her art used in licensing, advertising,
publishing, branding, retail and community spaces.
Molly Z. is continuously seeking out new illustration projects and creating archives of art to
license. She is also involved in several international volunteer organizations and is grateful
for the privilege to work with clients and be creative in life....And in case you were wondering,
the Z. stands for Zakrajsek.
SUBZERO dESIGN
For a better part of eighteen years, Subzero Design has been
designing award-winning, effective marketing tools for a
roster of national and International clients.
They are constantly pushing the bar higher and higher in
regards to design aesthetics, message communication and
client service. They’ve worked for some of America’s top
brands including The Coca-Cola Company, Hallmark Cards,
Yum! Brands, and Georgia-Pacific. They continually develop
design solutions that blow the competition out of the water.
Their expertise in creativity, coordination and execution
produces the results that make people happy.
Subzero enjoys partnering with people to create stylish,
thoughtful, powerful visual communication materials.
www.subzerodesign.com
SR STUdIO
Katy and Dale, founders of SR Studio and the Artist Group , come from a
fashion photography background. This gives them a unique and valuable
perspective behind the camera. Their 25 year career started in Chicago,
progressed through Europe and returned to the states with a loose,
interpretive natural approach that blends the magic of photojournalism with
classic fashion technique. The results have been described as breathtaking.
Their work has appeared in many publications including Oprah, Vanity Fair,
Details, GQ, French Photo, Grace Ormonde's Wedding Style, Interview, and
Good Housekeeping. They have also photographed many celebrities
including Robert DeNiro, U2, Prince Charles, Peter Fonda, Christina Aguilera,
and Jay Leno just to name a few.
Visit their commercial website to see more.
www.srstudio.net
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