Digging the Prehistoric

“We wanted to ensure visitors leave with a deeper understanding of our local dinosaur and its story”.

Summary

The Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre is a key feature of Australia’s Dinosaur Trail, offering a captivating educational experience about the prehistoric past, particularly the iconic Muttaburrasaurus langdoni.

Deliverables

Storytelling: Concept and design of display panels and interpretive graphic
Experience: Strategy, Concept Design, Final Art, 2D and 3D graphic design files
Illustration: Key scientific scenes related to paleontology and the Muttaburrasaurus

Results

Awarded a 2024 Stamp of Recognition by the Best of Queensland Experiences Program
Enhanced visitor engagement and education

Project Title: Muttuburrasaurus Interpretation Centre
Client Name: Bree Industries, Goldi, Barcaldine Council
Sector: Education & Tourism

Brief

The Muttaburra Community Development Association, the Barcaldine Regional Council and local community members sought to create educational tourist hub that would not only attract tourists but also provide valuable insights into the region’s paleontological significance. They faced the challenge of working with an architecturally unusual building made of rocks and steel and also the practical requirements of an exhibition within a net zero and unmanned building.

“The passionate community of Muttaburra helped build the centre from locally sourced rocks”

Tourism and commercial sectors in Queensland are “leading the charge” with sustainable building and these innovative building practices require strategic integration when designing experiences within challenging spaces.

“Particularly buildings that are in tourism spots have been striving to show their environmental credentials.”

The Question
How can we design a visually cohesive and informative tourist experience using non-traditional exhibition mounts in a building with curved walls and complex shape, light and materiality and also how could we deliver a graphic design project onto a site during the covid pandemic which rendered the site inaccessible at the time.

“I don’t know of anything like it in the world,” the architect said.

Solution

We worked with architectural plans, local information and virtual communications to strategically simplify and integrate the best of a non-traditional exhibition building. We leveraged and amplified all the quirks of the space and visually communicated complex scientific information in accessible and engaging displays for all ages.

“We wanted to ensure visitors leave with a deeper understanding of our local dinosaur and its story and appreciate the millions of years of dinosaur history that lived in the region”

The design of the centre integrated educational content with interactive exhibits, creating an engaging destination for all ages. Key components included cohesive display panels, a centrally oriented date and theme wayfinding strategy, strong visual colour palette. We used illustrative characters and clever interactive elements to enhance visitor experience.

“Collaborating with a talented team made this project a success, we aimed to create a visually stunning and informative environment.”


Results

The Interpretation Centre has become a landmark in Muttaburra, recognized for its educational value and visitor engagement. The displays strikingly communicate the history, discovery, and significance of the Muttaburrasaurus.

Dr. Matt Herne, the project’s scientific curator, praised the collaborative efforts, stating, “Janine demonstrated great ability in understanding complex scientific information and translating it into engaging display designs.”

Conclusion

The Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre continues to attract thousands of local and international visitors and educate them about Queensland’s prehistoric past.

“Effective visual storytelling can bridge the gaps between history, science and public understanding”

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