Case Study: Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park

The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens interprets the plants and animals of the Chihuahuan Desert. By following a paved path through various desert plant communities and wildlife exhibits, visitors learn about different Chihuahuan Desert eco-regions.

Taylor Studios completed an overhaul of all the interpretive signage at the park to create a thematic, cohesive visitor experience throughout. This process began with an interpretive master sign plan in which Taylor Studios inventoried and evaluated all existing outdoor interpretive signage and determined how new signage could help to meet both management and interpretive objectives. The interpretive master sign plan also included an analysis of existing and prospective audiences for LDZG, final themes, subthemes, and storylines, and a comprehensive plan for the overall layout and content of all outdoor interpretive signage.

One challenge faced by the design team on this project was creating bilingual signs for the large Spanish-speaking population of New Mexico. In order to keep the signs professional in appearance while meeting the project’s goals, the team ensured all panel text was as concise as possible. Maintaining good spatial dimensions in the graphic layout was also important to make sure the bilingual signs did not become cluttered.

Conceptual Rendering

Burrowing Owl Painting

Elk Painting

Ornate Box Turtle Painting

Badger Painting

Bison Painting

Chihuahuan Raven Painting

Installed Reader Rail

Installed Panel

Installed Panel

Four-wing Saltbush Graphic

Installed Graphic Panel

Graphic Detail