SPECTACLE: A Speculative Biology Exhibit
Senior Thesis
Infographic, Scientific Illustration, 3D design, Exhibit Design
Infographic, Scientific Illustration, 3D design, Exhibit Design
“Without speculation, there is no good and original observation.”
- Charles Darwin
SPECTACLE is an exhibition that presents speculative design as not only a creative exercise but also as a scientific method.
With scientific plausibility and artistic creativity, the exhibit engages the audience to a unique creative practice called “speculative biology,”
a conceptual experiment about speculating hypothetical lifeforms and ecosystems while maintaining scienctific accuracy.
The project aims to introduce the genre and presents its real-world applications such as astronomy and paleontology.
SPECTACLE shows how design can be used for scientific communication.
Throughout the exhibition, complex scientific concepts are displayed through infographics, illustrations, and visual systems,
making information more accessible, less intimidating, and engaging without reducing their depth. In doing so, the exibit reduces
the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding.
SPECTACLE looks into the potential of life through design.
In this framework, speculation is treated as a structured tool for observation. By exploring how lifeforms could develop under alternate conditions,
the exhibit expands the scope of scientific plausibility, inviting the viewers to consider not only what life is, but what it could be.
The exhibit focuses on Earth, Mars, and Europa to apply speculative biology.
It presents a range of works, including graphics, illustrations, and 3d models to visualize the concepts about life on these three worlds.
- Charles Darwin
SPECTACLE is an exhibition that presents speculative design as not only a creative exercise but also as a scientific method.
With scientific plausibility and artistic creativity, the exhibit engages the audience to a unique creative practice called “speculative biology,”
a conceptual experiment about speculating hypothetical lifeforms and ecosystems while maintaining scienctific accuracy.
The project aims to introduce the genre and presents its real-world applications such as astronomy and paleontology.
SPECTACLE shows how design can be used for scientific communication.
Throughout the exhibition, complex scientific concepts are displayed through infographics, illustrations, and visual systems,
making information more accessible, less intimidating, and engaging without reducing their depth. In doing so, the exibit reduces
the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding.
SPECTACLE looks into the potential of life through design.
In this framework, speculation is treated as a structured tool for observation. By exploring how lifeforms could develop under alternate conditions,
the exhibit expands the scope of scientific plausibility, inviting the viewers to consider not only what life is, but what it could be.
The exhibit focuses on Earth, Mars, and Europa to apply speculative biology.
It presents a range of works, including graphics, illustrations, and 3d models to visualize the concepts about life on these three worlds.
Infographic Poster
Infographic, Poster Design
The initial project for this exhibition was to design a poster that can both captivate the audience and provide a
well-rounded introduction to the genre. For this, a vertical banner with an eye-catching image at the top and detailed text and infographic
at the bottom was designed. This was in consideration of placing the readable information on viewer’s eye level when they come up close.
The banner image at the top half was made by using illustrations of hypothetical life of Europa and Mars layered on a background made from
the texture of the red planet and the icy moon. The color scheme of the image gradient was inspired by the appearance of the two celestial bodies.
In between the two creatures, a pull quote from Charles Darwin “Without speculation, there is no good and original observation.” was placed.
This quote is crucial to the whole idea of speculative biology, as it highlights the importance of speculation for understanding the natural world.
Not to mention that the father of evolutionary biology emphasized its necessity. This phrase is reiterated in the infographic section.
The infographic section needed to deliver the definition, detailed explanation, history, and examples of the genre of speculative biology.
For this, a vertical timeline that runs through the page and visual showcase of other works in the field were designed using the brand palette of the exhibit.
The timeline is divided into four color sections representing different eras of the genre, with three examples from each era.
These examples are notable works by other creators who engaged with the idea of speculative biology.
While there are more famous cases such as James Cameron’s Avatar series, the select examples were chosen based on
speculative biology being the core focus of the work and the importance to the history of the genre.
Below this section, explanation for the following panels AS ABOVE, SO BELOW, and INTO THE DEEP was written
in order to provide an informative guide to tell why these connect to the concept of speculative biology and how these
show applications in scientific fields such as paleontology and astronomy.
3D Animation
3D Design & Animation in Blender
This project was aimed to accompany the exhibition by providing a simulated visual for one of the hypothetical ecosystems.
The idea was to deliver the atmosphere of exploring an alien abyssal world through 3D motion graphic.
The idea was to deliver the atmosphere of exploring an alien abyssal world through 3D motion graphic.
Sculpting creature models, rigging them, and forming a scene that delivers the mood of an abyssal ecosystem were major focus of this project.
Using the POV of a drone allowed limited exposure to the setup and delivering a more in-depth experience.
While it was a challenge with first practice with blender, this project helped to immerse the audience into this speculative biology ecosystem.
Using the POV of a drone allowed limited exposure to the setup and delivering a more in-depth experience.
While it was a challenge with first practice with blender, this project helped to immerse the audience into this speculative biology ecosystem.
Panorama Illustrations
Scientific Illustration, Infographic, Timeline Design
The three panorama illustrations were made to showcase speculative biology applied in paleontology and astronomy.
These were titled “AS ABOVE”, “SO BELOW”, and “INTO THE DEEP” with each focusing on life of Earth, Mars, and Europa.
The illustrations were inspired from museum murals and other illustrative works of speculative biology.
These were titled “AS ABOVE”, “SO BELOW”, and “INTO THE DEEP” with each focusing on life of Earth, Mars, and Europa.
The illustrations were inspired from museum murals and other illustrative works of speculative biology.
Between panel AS ABOVE and SO BELOW, a designated timeline design was placed in order to
reflect the idea that both Earth and Mars passed through the same timeframe and had different lifeforms evolving,
but also how the two worlds contrast in its history of life, with Earth life expanding while Martian life declines.
reflect the idea that both Earth and Mars passed through the same timeframe and had different lifeforms evolving,
but also how the two worlds contrast in its history of life, with Earth life expanding while Martian life declines.
3D Models
3D Modeling & 3D Printing
In order to deliver a more physical depiction of the alien lifeforms designed, 3D models were sculpted using Nomad Sculpt app.
The 3D models were based on the Europan and Martian creature illustrations used in the first poster.
The 3D models were based on the Europan and Martian creature illustrations used in the first poster.
The models were imported into 3d printers and then printed out. After removing the support frames from the prints using pliers,
the two models were sanded down and set next to the
corresponding RISO print holders.
Europan model on the Europa side and the Martian model on the Mars side.
With first experience using 3d sculpting app and 3d printing, there were several challenges such as
navigating 3d space, trimming out the supports, and polishing the prints.
It also was an eye-opening walkthrough figuring out the potential of incorporating 3d prints into the project.
RISO Print Illustrations
Scientific Illustration, RISO Print
Finally as handouts to people who visited the exhibit, RISO prints were prepared using two illustrations
that depict various organisms of Europa and Mars designed through speculative biology.
These were printed in limited color palettes with Europan life being blue and Martian life being red.
that depict various organisms of Europa and Mars designed through speculative biology.
These were printed in limited color palettes with Europan life being blue and Martian life being red.
For these illustrations, prints from Ernst Haeckel’s Art Forms in Nature was a major inspiration.
With geometrical and symmetric depictions of organisms showcasing both natural order and biodiversity, this style
helped to deliver the idea of life form on other hypothetical worlds would still show similarity to ours.
Exhibit Composition
Exhibit Setup
With all the components put together, the exhibition was set up before the Art Walk event.
Following the planned format layout, the panels, prints, 3d animation, and models were placed.
Following the planned format layout, the panels, prints, 3d animation, and models were placed.
Reception from the viewers were highly positive, with many telling they learned a lot about this new subject they never heard of before.
People appreciated the large panels and the 3d animation as these allowed them to be immersed into the worlds built for this exhibition. A few viewers
aware about speculative biology were interested in the design-focused approach, as most works in the genre are centered around illustrations and literary works.
Overall, the SPECTACLE: A Speculative Biology Exhibit turned out to be a success larger than expected.
Through this senior thesis project, I was able to experiment with various new mediums such as 3d design and RISO,
hone my skills in design and illustration, and learn how to put all the elements together forming a cohesive full-fledged exhibition.
By engaging deeper with this field I always had a passion for, I was able to do a good and original observation of speculative biology.
People appreciated the large panels and the 3d animation as these allowed them to be immersed into the worlds built for this exhibition. A few viewers
aware about speculative biology were interested in the design-focused approach, as most works in the genre are centered around illustrations and literary works.
Overall, the SPECTACLE: A Speculative Biology Exhibit turned out to be a success larger than expected.
Through this senior thesis project, I was able to experiment with various new mediums such as 3d design and RISO,
hone my skills in design and illustration, and learn how to put all the elements together forming a cohesive full-fledged exhibition.
By engaging deeper with this field I always had a passion for, I was able to do a good and original observation of speculative biology.