Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, located in Columbia, South Carolina, offers an engaging experience rooted in education and global conservation. Families enjoy hands-on activities, tourists explore vibrant gardens and animal encounters, and educators value the zoo’s commitment to science and inspiring future generations.
A key challenge in this rebrand was striking a balance between playful appeal for families and credibility for educators and conservation partners. The goal was to create a flexible, consistent brand system that felt approachable, inspiring, and aligned with Riverbanks’ mission across all touchpoints.
Project Type
Rebrand & Web Design
Time
1.5 months
Year
2024
The rebrand captures Riverbanks Zoo’s mission—education, conservation, and family fun—through a playful, balloon-animal-inspired aesthetic. Joyful letterforms and icons spark curiosity and reflect the zoo’s vibrant spirit, while thoughtful design choices ensure the identity remains professional, memorable, and aligned with its purpose.
Inspired by balloon animals, the logo features fun, approachable letterforms that reflect the playful energy of a zoo visit. Rounded shapes and vibrant colors evoke nostalgia and childhood wonder, appealing to both kids and adults. Designed to be bold yet friendly, the identity captures Riverbanks Zoo’s joyful spirit while reinforcing its mission to educate, engage, and inspire across all audiences.
To bring the identity to life, colorful balloon-inspired characters were created, reflecting the zoo’s animals and plants. These playful guides engage younger visitors and add personality to the brand. The design extended to key touchpoints like the brochure map and tickets, using vibrant visuals and interactive elements to enhance the visitor experience, making it memorable from start to finish.
This project challenged me to rethink how a zoo could be represented visually—moving beyond traditional approaches to create something playful, engaging, and full of character. It pushed me to explore new ideas and experiment with ways to spark curiosity and joy across all ages. Through this process, I learned how to balance fun with functionality, and how thoughtful design can bring a brand’s mission to life in meaningful and memorable ways.