About the Project

Evolving Planet: Permian Extinction

The Permian Extinction was the most catastrophic event in Earth’s history, wiping out the majority of life on the planet. The challenge was to translate this immense story into an immersive installation that could both educate and emotionally engage audiences. The experience needed to capture the drama of ecological collapse while remaining grounded in scientific accuracy.

I collaborated across disciplines to bring this vision to life. Working with paleo illustrator Greer Stothers, we first designed scientifically precise “before and after” landscapes of the Permian and Triassic periods. I then partnered with motion designer Warren Rudd to animate these environments—transforming still illustrations into dynamic sequences that visualized volcanic eruptions, climate shifts, collapsing food webs, and oceanic change. To heighten the atmosphere, composer Josh Beck developed a soundscape that wove natural and environmental sounds—such as insects, lava, and burning coal—seamlessly into the visuals. Together, these layers of illustration, animation, and sound created a multisensory narrative.

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The result was a large-scale installation spanning two wall-sized projections, enhanced with lighting design and an enveloping sound environment. Visitors were transported into the Permian Extinction itself, experiencing not just its causes but also its aftermath. The project’s greatest strength lay in its collaboration: each contributor’s expertise was interwoven into a unified, immersive storytelling experience that brought ancient worlds vividly to life.