![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/91cdaef623975eaeff113aa71f09befe98d0698a515c9b7a7bbe1e79c36aec79/Artboard-1.png)
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is one of Los Angeles’ most beloved institutions operating with the mission to transform lives through astronomy. The challenge in crafting a new brand for the observatory was to honor its cultural legacy while looking to the future of astronomy exploration—blending art with science. Using the original Art Deco architecture as a North Star, I developed a system of graphic symbols to represent how the observatory helps visitors observe, experience, and learn about space.
Special Thanks:
Erin Male, Gift Shop Illustration Series
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/eee39d308c4109dd898e2f4b2d81d9bd7c6e00c35725950c426f7711e38c4be1/Final-Presentation8.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/708cfda136fa2798a7ef493676847870182e3c4c0bf3985c2f2512f48daa11d0/images-02.jpg)
The original Art Deco ironwork on the doors of the observatory served as inspiration for the symbols I created to represent the brand identity. The seven symbols are representative of key astronomy tools and instruments.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c547cda6122dc25f7c00b0b15a6108f37265b0fb64b3a71f4d75c6f34b156407/Final-Presentation11.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/389206a58883bb4e8deaaadb8a2283c7dedeec805e454d149ef77bca9efd1be2/images-05.jpg)
The system of symbols reveals imagery to the viewer, positioning the observatory as a gateway to astronomy.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2edab9c85fb328f95f312201cd5107e8abb4885007bd46f9c7e8cb0cf0c7938c/Final-Presentation12.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/49324834d1d30fa0b5d7197ca6e02c75340537e15920e3bb33f917f31ba1f0d0/images-08.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/746662cf1beb52d17fe1b1d58c3e0599b78afb1d1478dfc897be0240fa9b1459/Final-Presentation20.jpg)
Creating a way for the audience to interact with the observatory off-site was vital to this project. It was designed during the Covid-19 pandemic when many cultural institutions were struggling to adapt to changing restrictions. Griffith Observatory’s new website above is complete with an interactive space exploration experience.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/80425991609946958f1cf86161fae1cd7703e5f5bced66775797e3c87b3b40af/images-06.jpg)
The Griffith Observer has been published by the observatory since 1944. Redesigning it was important to preserve this piece of the brand’s legacy.
I created an on-site campaign that connected to the observatory’s cultural history in the arts. The on-site series is advertised through billboards, posters, and wayfinding signage.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4649cc2ea0fd11a5bff5b07ae759b98285853b71aba1a752ec676270bb17611e/Final-Presentation22.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/79dd1aa605f3674a911a7bff11458731164e932532f857481e9e081a62296c17/images-10.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c804cd0f06c9b812ac823c35dfe0bf2baad16dad5bb02da5be6923a60e488084/Final-Presentation24.jpg)
To create Griffith’s gift shop merchandise, I collaborated with local artist, Erin Male who created beautiful, hand drawn illustrations that capture the experience of being at the observatory.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6aa65631ce4d335ae0f508948e740ad4dbcaee3c8510d39f25224cbd947774d3/images-20.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/498cb2effdfc13f3620e964d8fa0e5f5ba630795e119c5d7f27f6da4f8c5a30b/images-22.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f32367a61b11e55b3782615b68c8ade13c165081a277ea3eae1ad6920350792a/images-21.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dbc0dd853b055a1d9654ee34211958c831f8fa536382aab647c9faf9cdd25715/images-19.jpg)
©2022 Anna Thomas