This project celebrates the collections of the University of Montana Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum. The UMZM maintains more than 24,000 vertebrate specimens of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish for the purpose of research and education. Some of the specimens date back to the late 1800’s before Montana became a state.
The goal of this project was to convert the former UMZM specimen storage room into a new classroom and community space. I worked with UM staff to design a large display case and populate it with a variety of their collection specimens. The space is designed to be flexible with rotating content. It also holds specimens for use by undergraduate courses in mammalogy and ornithology.
A final piece of this project was to interpret the various lab and storage rooms that make up the UMZM. Hallway signs for each of the spaces were designed to share with students and visitors more information about the specimen preparation room, skull storage room, the specimen storage room and more. The inclusion of signs allows the UMZM staff to share their mission and work more publicly instead of hiding it all behind doors.
