The Alder Planetarium Iteractive Design and MSI Science Storms DVD Design

It is very important that a designer grows and develops at every moment in their career. When I began my career as a designer, my media knowledge was limited to only interactive design and print. Over the past three years, I have become knowledgeable in compositing, motion graphics, DVD authoring, compression, video editing, and web design and development. Recently at Iona, we completed two projects that really helped myself and the team advance our skills.

First, The Adler Planetarium Planet Xplorers exhibit recently opened as a permanent exhibit in Chicago. The Iona Group supplied all audio visual and interactive elements for integration with the design by Kraemer and Associates and fabrication by Murphy Catton. The Explorers Club exhibit is a high-energy, interactive experience with the educational goal of teaching children ages 3-8 about exploration that is happening all around them and its connection to their everyday life as well as to explore space. I was able to help create, design, composite and edit some of the interactive exhibit’s videos and Flash elements. This project allowed myself to advance my video and interactive design skills through the challenges of video integration into Flash.

Secondly, The Iona Group developed a DVD that would extend the experience of the physical Science Storms exhibit that has just recently opened at the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI). This type of DVD format allows the Museum guest to have an inside look at the exhibit, sparks memories of the exhibit and its “wow” factor and also allows someone who was not able to visit the exhibit to still have a dramatic and compelling experience. I created the graphical user interface design, DVD authoring, jacket design and motion graphics for the DVD. The DVD includes the making of the exhibit, how they built the exhibit, the exhibit media, facts about the exhibit and scientist interviews. I treasure this project because it provided me with the opportunity to learn a new media (DVD authoring), allowed me to advance in my interactive design skills, challenged my motion graphics skills, and re-live my print design days.

I believe that if a designer has the drive along with design and fine art skills, they can achieve any media. I plan on growing and continuing to achieve in these skills for many years to come. Below are screenshots of the Adler Planetarium interactive designs and the MSI Science Storms graphical user interface design from the DVD. I also have included the MSI DVD jacket design.