Here today, gone tomorrow. Appearing in the spring and drying up by summer’s end, vernal pools are fleeting bodies of water that provide breeding grounds for myriad frogs, salamanders, and insects. The Vernal Pools exhibit at the EcoTarium in Worcester, MA invites the budding ecologist to learn about these temporary habitats. Over-sized illustrations and a splashy color palette draw visitors from across the lobby; smaller text directs their focus to the secrets hidden within the exhibit walls. Fanciful cut-outs invite young viewers to peek into the mysterious world of the life forms that spring from these teeming nurseries.

The dramatic use of color, illustration, and typography complement the curvilinear shapes of the exhibit while increasing the illusion of walking through a giant pop-up book. Cut vinyl type and inkjet wall murals stretch a limited budget for maximum impact.