Since 1930, the John G. Shedd Aquarium has been connecting the human world to

the aquatic world through its majestic and

unique animals, award-winning exhibits,

leading conservation and research initiatives

and world-class educational programming.

The Aquarium cares for more than 32,000 animals, representing

almost 1,600 species from places all around the globe. From its

architecturally historic aquarium galleries, to its world-renowned

marine mammal pavilion, the Oceanarium, to the colorful and

exciting Wild Reef exhibit, the Shedd Aquarium is one of the

preeminent aquariums in the world.

THE OCEANARIUM18 years and nearly 33 million visitors after it opened,

the Oceanarium has received its first major overhaul.

The popular 3-million-gallon saltwater Oceanarium underwent

major renovations, renewing animal habitats, life-support

systems, hands-on exhibits, and dining areas. The Oceanarium

reopened in May 2009, with new exhibits and experiences,

with increased opportunities for interactions with animals and

the furthering of their conservation and education missions.

The Oceanarium transports guests more than 2,000 miles from downtown Chicago to the Pacific Northwest coast bringing them face-to-face with the natural habitat of dolphins, whales, sea otters and sea lions.

The Shedd Aquarium

ranks as Chicago’s

top-attended cultural

attraction, welcoming

over 2 million guests

throughout the year.

CHICAGO • ILLINOIS • USA

Shedd Aquarium is supported by the people of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Shedd Aquarium is an accredited

member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.

THE POLAR PLAY ZONESHEdd’S fIRST pERMANENT ExHIbIT dESIGNEd ESPECIALLY fOR CHILdREN

Through exploration, observation and play,kids and their families will connect and find inspiration in nature’s animals and opposites.

The Polar Play Zone builds on what parents already know, that children

learn best through play! Add animals to the mix, and there’s no better way

to inspire caring for the natural world. The exhibit has been designed with

children ages 2 to 7 in mind, tapping into children’s natural curiosity through

hands-on exploration, water play and up-close animal encounters. Children

will roll up their sleeves and play in a tidal pool, touch sea stars, frolic

alongside sea otters, search icy caves and pretend to be deep-sea explorers.

Flexible play spaces offer activities to stoke the imagination with costumes,

props, music and art supplies.

Families can take in underwater views of Shedd’s most popular residents,

the returning Beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters and

Magellanic and Rock Hopper penguins. The exhibit features four separate

areas, each dedicated to an extreme environment representing Shedd’s

Oceanarium animals: Shallow Ocean, Deep Ocean, Icy South and Icy North.

We felt that with the right illustration we could create a unique

and charismatic look for The Polar Play Zone. It helped build

a very distinct space within Shedd, that is clearly for children.

~ Kara Kotwas, Sr. Graphic Designer, Shedd Aquarium ~

A BIG ILLUSTRATION PROJECT

Because the Shedd Aquarium is geared towards families, the design team for the Polar Play Zone knew illustration would make this exhibit special for young children. They were looking for an illustrator who was a strong character designer, who could also handle landscapes and nature.

In June of 2008, I was selected to submit samples of work and a proposal

to help the Shedd Aquarium bring the Polar Play Zone to life with my

illustration style. How would I give their four underwater superstars visual

personalities that would invite little ones to observe? How would I stylize the

habitats to ignite curiosity and exploration? After several meetings and many

questions, they awarded me the project and I began pouring all of my skills

and talent into creating the illustrative atmosphere of the Polar Play Zone.

My research was extensive, I looked through many books on all types of

animal and plant sealife. The Shedd supplied me with piles of photos from

their archives and I researched photographers who captured life in the

underwater world. I enthusiastically studied the things I was drawing and

how they existed in their natural environments. Learning about these

magnificent creatures was such a rewarding part of this project!

I worked with a small team of designers at the Shedd Aquarium and we

began the six month process of bringing the graphic elements to life and

applying them to the permanent exhibit pieces. It was great to collaborate

with one of Chicago’s most loved museums and be part of a world-class

organization that desires to create lasting experiences for every guest.

~ Molly Zakrajsek, Illustrator ~

This is the book of the work we did together.

Shallow Ocean invites guests into the active and engaging rocky coastline where texture and touch predominate. A 70 foot long illustrative mural of an environmental tide pool curves around the exhibit, giving the room the distinct feel of a tidal coastline. The blending of realistic rock work with stylized forms creates a bright, colorful world of exploration.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

“The most challenging work for me was the tide pool mural. It was the most time-consuming of all the pieces of the exhibit, and by far, the most rewarding. I love seeing families snapping photos near it or a little one pointing to an image they recognize. Murals bring so much energy to a space!” ~ Molly Z.

PLAY, SPLASH ANd PRETENd IN THE SHALLOW OCEAN

7

THE SHALLOW OCEAN IN THE POLAR PLAY ZONE

The extremes of a tide pool environment become

a kid friendly splash zone in the tide pool touch area.

Children can explore the wonders of water through

touch, interactivity and, best of all, getting wet.

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IS ALL ABOUT GETTING CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOUCH

This recreated tide pool is full of surprises and secrets

waiting to be discovered. Trigger a sea anemone to wave

its “fingers” in search of food. Find hidden homes for

limpets and barnacles. Sort shells and feel waves lap

along the shore. Roll up your sleeves and feel the rough,

scratchy surfaces of real sea stars. Get nose to nose with

playful, swimming otters and find out lots of fun facts

about Shedd’s furry friends.

9

“I think Polar Play Zone is MORE cohesive than I had imagined. The illustration really helps

everything hang together in a consistent way.”

~ Kara Kotwas, Sr. Graphic Designer, Shedd Aquarium ~

10

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“We were immediately drawn toMolly’s work for it’s expressiveness

and graphic simplicity.We knew it would be the right

aesthetic for the Polar Play Zone.”~ Kara Kotwas, Sr. Graphic Designer ~

Shedd Aquarium

POLAR PLAY ZONE

SHALLOW OCEAN TIdE POOL MURAL This 70 foot mural curves around the entire Shallow Ocean exhibit.

SHALLOW OCEAN INTERACTIvE SIGNSThese interactive signs are placed near the live otter tank with fun, engaging facts to encourage young visitors to explore.

SHALLOW OCEAN PLAY LABELS Small play labels are placed throughout the exhibit with easy to understand Shallow Ocean facts and activities.

14

SHALLOW OCEAN

POLAR PLAY ZONE BANNER This colorful banner, over 20 feet tall, hangs on the main level of the Oceanarium and invites visitors to go below and explore the Polar Play Zone.

SHALLOW OCEAN ZONE SIGN Dimensional sign hangs above the tide pool mural inviting little ones to learn about tide pool life and play in the water.

SHALLOW OCEAN OPPOSITE dISPLAY Display artwork uses ‘opposite’ themes throughout the exhibit to teach visitors about the lives and habitats of the animals living at the Shedd Aquarium. Play

Pretend

Splash

15

Deep Ocean’s environment is calm and subdued. Long, deep tones wash through the space, interspersed with natural ocean animal sounds. The glow of the water through the massive viewing widows combined with movement and sound transport visitors to the mesmerizing underwater world of the open ocean.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

“This project made me want to be a better artist, to look at things with a more focused eye and to really enjoy the wonderful creativity in our natural world. I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute my skills to further the Shedd’s mission of inspiring exploration and discovery in others.” ~ Molly Z.

RELAX ANd WATCH dOLPHINS PLAY IN THE dEEP OCEAN

19

EXPLORE THE SEEMINGLY ENdLESS WATERY dEPTHS

Filled with cozy spots for families to eat, Deep Ocean

provides a calm setting to take a break and get a snack.

Chill out as you watch dolphins swim near and far.

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IN THE POLAR PLAY ZONE’S dEEP OCEAN

While parents unwind and enjoy the view, children can

learn about the opposite elements of the dolphin world,

such as leaping up to twenty feet in the air, then diving

down below as fast as a car.

It’s the most serene setting to watch the Pacific white-sided

dolphins swimming throughout Whale Harbor showing off

their playfulness and unique movements.

21

POLAR PLAY ZONE

24

dEEp OCEANINTERACTIvE SIGNSSpaced along the dolphin tanks in the viewing corridor, these interactive signs invite guests to pull, spin and rotate sign pieces to learn interesting opposite facts about Pacific White-sided Dolphins.

dEEp OCEAN

dEEP OCEAN ZONE SIGNDimensional sign hangs above tables in the cafe hallway, where families can take a break from the action and enjoy a meal or snack while watching dolphins play and swim.

25

dEEp OCEANWAY fINdING SIGN Large wall sign directs guests to the Deep Ocean as they continue on through the exhibit.

Icy South is an active area with distinctive natural and environmental elements. Guests are invited to view actual penguins in their habitat or head to different stations to learn about different penguins species. Icy South is a colorful area where children laugh and play while penguins dive and swim in this engaging section of Polar Play Zone. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

“I worked closely with the designers at the Shedd to achieve the right balance of accuracy and playfulness in the illustrations of the main animal characters. They had to be age appropriate and accurate in their markings. I think we arrived at lively characters that are true to form.” ~ Molly Z.

PRETENd YOU’RE A PLAYfUL PENGUIN IN THE ICY SOUTH

27

TRAvEL fAR fROM HOME TO THE ICY SOUTH,

On this frosty coastline, penguins jump, slide and

play. Take a closer look at Shedd’s lively community of

Magellanic and Rock Hopper penguins, always on the

go, both above water and below.

28

A ROCKY SHORE IN THE CHILLY SOUTHERN OCEAN

The Icy South’s Penguin Playscape is a place to learn

about penguins by pretending to be one. Along this

recreated rocky shore, take a turn sliding like a penguin,

or try on a costume and mimic penguins in motion.

Visitors can spend time building a rocky nest and caring

for eggs or a newly hatched chick. Whether they are busy

rock hoppers or imaginative children, penguins are always

in action in the Icy South.

29

“I absolutely loved seeing how Molly

evolved the work tothe next level. Each round of alterations

was like getting a little present in my inbox.”

~ Kara Kotwas, Sr. Graphic Designer ~Shedd Aquarium

POLAR PLAY ZONE

ICY SOUTH INTERACTIvE SIGNS These signs educate visitorson how Penguins survive andinteract in their environment.

ICY SOUTH SMALL PLAY LABELS Illustrated to help young visitors engage in the learning activities at Icy South’s Penguin Playscape.

ICY SOUTH MURAL Placed on the either side of the penguin viewing habitat, these murals visually extend this playful exhibit.

36

ICY SOUTH

ICY SOUTH ZONE SIGNDramatically lighted, this dimensional sign announces the beginning of the Icy South Play Zone.

ICY SOUTH OPPOSITE dISPLAY Display artwork helps visitors find their way to thePolar Play Zone and highlights animal opposite facts.

ICY SOUTH WAY fINdING SIGN Large circular wall graphic points the way to the Icy South as you curve around the exhibit space.

playpretend

splash

37

Icy North provides guests with an intense sensory experience that carries them to the chilly world under the arctic ice. They become explorers of this mysterious realm with dive equipment and a kid-sized submarine. The luminous icy elements and rock work create an evocative environment and dramatic play place. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

“I love being able to work with a group of people who have the big picture in mind and believe that illustration can help establish a memorable, enjoyable experience, especially for kids and families. I would love to do more work for museums and children’s environments.” ~ Molly Z.

EXPLORE UNdERWATER WORLdS IN THE ICY NORTH

39

dISCOvER THE MYSTERIES Of THE fRIGId

Step into the Beluga viewing room in the Icy North

and gaze at the calm "canaries of the sea" while gaining

insight into the beluga's natural environment.

40

NORTHERN WATERS IN POLAR PLAY ZONE’S ICY NORTH

The kid-size submarine invites deep-sea explorers to

submerge into a unique world of sea life that depends on

the icy waters to survive and thrive. Take a look through

a periscope, check gauges and imagine.

Investigate undersea opposites by searching the nooks

and crannies of an icy cave and uncover the secret of how

animals use the ice to stay alive. There are many ways to

explore in the Icy North.

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“I thought it wasremarkable that Mollywas able to adjust her

typical style just a little,toward a slightly morenaturalistic style, perour request, to give us

exactly what we wanted.”~ Kara Kotwas, Sr. Graphic Designer ~

Shedd Aquarium

POLAR PLAY ZONE BANNER This large Beluga banner suspended from the ceiling on main floor of the Oceanarium guides visitors to the Polar Play Zone on the lower level.

ICY NORTH opposite display Display artwork teaches the concept of opposites to youngsters. These conceptsare used throughout the entire exhibit.

POLAR PLAY ZONE

44

PlayPretend

Splash

ICY NORTHINTERACTIvE SIGNS These signs reveal interesting facts about Beluga Whales.

ICY NORTHZONE SIGNDimensional sign in the Icy Northinviting visitors to an icy world.

ICY NORTH ACTIvITY SIGN Display artwork helps guests learn more about life with Belugas.

ICY NORTH

45

ICY NORTH PLAY LABELS Play labels in the Polar Play Zone invite guests to actively participate in exhibit experiences.

ICY NORTH WAY fINdING SIGN Friendly wall graphic points the way to the Icy North Play Zone.

The best results in creative endeavors seem to happen when peoplecome together and share their many talents, insight, and resources.

This book was brought to life through the generous and collaborativeefforts of Molly Z. Art+design, Subzero design and SR Studio.

MOLLY Z. ART+dESIGN www.mollyz.net

Molly Z. spends most of her time striving to create imagery that captures people’s vision,

engages their minds, ignites their hearts and inspires action. Her illustrative characters are

iconic and fun, existing in playful environments of quirky shapes and bright colors. She is

known for her ability to graphically stylize people, animals and objects, giving them unique

visual personalities. She uses color in fresh new combinations to create vibrant illustrations

that are festive, modern, and lively. You can see her art used in licensing, advertising,

publishing, branding, retail and community spaces.

Molly Z. is continuously seeking out new illustration projects and creating archives of art to

license. She is also involved in several international volunteer organizations and is grateful

for the privilege to work with clients and be creative in life....And in case you were wondering,

the Z. stands for Zakrajsek.

SUBZERO dESIGN

For a better part of eighteen years, Subzero Design has been

designing award-winning, effective marketing tools for a

roster of national and International clients.

They are constantly pushing the bar higher and higher in

regards to design aesthetics, message communication and

client service. They’ve worked for some of America’s top

brands including The Coca-Cola Company, Hallmark Cards,

Yum! Brands, and Georgia-Pacific. They continually develop

design solutions that blow the competition out of the water.

Their expertise in creativity, coordination and execution

produces the results that make people happy.

Subzero enjoys partnering with people to create stylish,

thoughtful, powerful visual communication materials.

www.subzerodesign.com

SR STUdIO

Katy and Dale, founders of SR Studio and the Artist Group , come from a

fashion photography background. This gives them a unique and valuable

perspective behind the camera. Their 25 year career started in Chicago,

progressed through Europe and returned to the states with a loose,

interpretive natural approach that blends the magic of photojournalism with

classic fashion technique. The results have been described as breathtaking.

Their work has appeared in many publications including Oprah, Vanity Fair,

Details, GQ, French Photo, Grace Ormonde's Wedding Style, Interview, and

Good Housekeeping. They have also photographed many celebrities

including Robert DeNiro, U2, Prince Charles, Peter Fonda, Christina Aguilera,

and Jay Leno just to name a few.

Visit their commercial website to see more.

www.srstudio.net