About the Project
After the Age of Dinosaurs: Who Lives? Who Dies? And Why?
The Field Museum’s After the Age of Dinosaurs exhibition set out to immerse visitors in the dramatic aftermath of the asteroid impact that ended the reign of the dinosaurs. The curatorial team wanted a media-driven gallery that would both capture the devastation of the post-impact world and illustrate how life slowly rebounded, showcasing the resilience of plants, animals, and ecosystems. The challenge was to create a multimedia environment that was both scientifically grounded and emotionally compelling for visitors of all ages.
I developed the overall vision for the gallery’s media installations, shaping both the visual narrative and the emotional tone. The centerpiece was a large-scale projection-mapped animation depicting a desolate landscape in the immediate aftermath of the asteroid impact. To bring this vision to life, I collaborated with 3D motion designer Rachel Oftendal, guiding the design and pacing to immerse visitors in the stark silence and destruction of a world forever changed.
Built directly into and overlapping the projection wall, six monitors displayed a series of silhouette cut-out animations. Each animation told the story of how a specific group—plants, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds—was affected in the wake of the extinction event. I partnered with illustrator and animator Katrina Zimmerman to develop these visual vignettes, ensuring they worked seamlessly with the projection while maintaining their own clarity, artistry, and storytelling impact.
