CosmoCaixa,
Barcelona Science Museum
Discovering the wonders of science
Illustrations and infographics to transform complex science concepts into visuals.
We created illustrations, instructions, and infographics for the +150 interactive experiences in the permanent room at the CosmoCaixa, one of the best and most state-of-the-art science museums in Europe.
By transforming scientific concepts into visuals, we helped explain complex subjects and make them more accessible for the visitors.
Read the full case study here.
Translating science into visuals
Your brain <3 images
Reducing the threshold to learning is at the heart of this project.
Our brain is visual. By using images, we were able to enhance the human ability to understand complex subjects.
We created a set of more than 100 infographics and illustrations to be used in different areas of the museum.
Consistency at the core
Designing a clear, cohesive system
Visual consistency is a crucial feature that tells guests they are visiting a well-thought space where all the elements belong together.
We created a system to be used on all the illustrations and infographics, based on a set of colors, stroke lines, and shapes.
Illustrations backed by research
Apes, gorillas, lemurs and orangutans
Prior to designing a piece, we researched each and every subject.
This infographic on the evolution of the monkeys is an example. The challenge consisted of displaying the differences between species despite being drawn with as few strokes as possible.
We conducted a study and documented their specific attributes: some have very long arms, some are hairier; others are small, some adopt a characteristic body posture; others have a playful attitude and others are more serious.
The research allowed us to simplify the illustrations, emphasizing those traits that made the monkeys different from each other.
There was a phase of research for each illustration, covering different subjects that range from quantum physics to fish species. Later on, we collaborated with scientific specialists to refine the illustrations to be perfectly accurate.
Types of illustrations
Big and small
We designed illustrations and infographics for two types of supports, and each of them had its own requirements.
The smaller displays had limited space to include graphics, so we designed smaller, simpler illustrations that could be understood with just a few lines.
The museum’s microarchitecture consisted of big, stunning backlit steel structures that created a sense of immersion. The challenge, in this case, was to precisely plan the illustrations to be cut from the steel and let the light pass through.
The science museum in Barcelona is the ideal space for curious minds. By creating +100 illustrations and infographics, we were able to explain difficult science concepts and to help make the museum a more engaging place.
