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SEGD Member Q and A: Daniela Pilossof

Vancouver Aquarium environmental graphic designer reflects on

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Forty years ago, the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) was a fledgling organization that attempted to impress upon architects, general contractors, property owners and managers, and other interested parties, the importance of signage and environmental graphics – not as utilitarian identifiers of facility amenities, but rather as essential branding and placemaking tools.
Now the Society for Experiential Graphic Design, it’s grown into a broad-based organization that represents designers, fabricators, vendors, academics and end users, all of whom share the common interests of staying informed about evolving technologies, materials, issues in dealing with governmental entities and general contractors, and numerous topics that impact built-environment graphic treatments.
Several SEGD-member designers and fabricators from diverse backgrounds have graciously answered questions about trends in the environmental-graphics market. In an industry whose diversity grows daily, one voice can’t speak as an all-encompassing industry authority, but these experts embody the industry’s breadth.

Daniela Pilossof, Environmental Graphic Designer, Vancouver Aquarium

Tell me about your background, and the work you do at the Aquarium.
Since graduating from university six years ago, I’ve worked exclusively as an EGD provider. I work within a larger, collaborative team that leads the Aquarium’s exhibits, content development and marketing. Together, we craft the storytelling and exhibits that support animal habitats. In a sense, the aquarium is a museum of its own kind, and its EGD includes wayfinding and interpretation, as well as exhibit design. I handle updates of existing exhibits, as well as implementation of seasonal and featured subjects. Earlier in my career, I was privileged to work on a colorful variety of projects, such as EGD for the Aboriginal Pavilion at Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympics, theme parks, architectural-development showrooms, branding and package design.

What unique challenges does an aquarium present?
As a museum of aquatic life, an aquarium appeals to audiences of any age, and from any background. From a graphic perspective, it must balance education and entertainment, and be engaging while also addressing topics in depth. Aquarium galleries follow geographic themes – some environments are made humid, hot or dark – which impacts the materials and equipment we use. With more than a million annual visitors, our exhibits must withstand heavy traffic, but be modular enough to be temporary.

How is DS altering how you design exhibits?
[DS] plays an important role. In addition to 2-D maps and structural wayfinding, digital displays are vital in assisting visitors in learning about upcoming shows and activities, and the fact that they can efficiently deliver layers of content, and have that content easily changed, makes them integral in engaging customers, while allowing us to use space efficiently. Some of our exhibits use DS and projections to further enhance the Aquarium’s storytelling.

What do you find most interesting and challenging about EGD?
It’s a unique field because it attracts so many different professions – typographers, engineers, architects, photographers, carpenters, to name a few – that collaborate to create amazing projects that impact people’s lives. EGD is dedicated to creating a better future and increasing people’s understanding and value of the world. It embraces both the innovative and traditional, and its legacy is significant. Designed experiences and environments have the power to move people to appreciate different perspectives and feel responsible for something meaningful. They can change behavior.

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