Academy Museum
Step inside the movies.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a destination dedicated to the past, present, and future of the movies.

Several years in the making, and designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, their iconic Los Angeles home contains exhibitions and programs that convey the magic of cinema and offer a glimpse behind the screen, illuminating the creative, collaborative process of filmmaking.

I led my agency’s partnership with Fantasy.co and The Academy Museum to launch their website and on-premises mobile app. The ecosystem allows visitors to navigate the Museum experience from the early excitement for and anticipation of their visit, to the wonder and awe that they experience on the property, through to the highlights and moments that they share with others.

Recognizing our commitment to transforming the Museum's digital presence into distinct destinations, we were invited to participate in the creation of their new brand identity from the beginning. We worked closely with their team and partners to increase the flexibility and scalability of the identity, primarily through the treatment and composition of type, color, and image. The result is a family of experiences reminiscent of cinematic journeys, featuring typography evocative of title sequences and interface elements designed to showcase video and photography seamlessly.

The website and mobile apps captivate and delight visitors, elevating the Museum's online presence while building excitement for their visit.

An street-level view of the Academy Museum's exterior

A project brought to life through film

Frequent prototypes and motion studies were instrumental in helping our clients see and embrace our vision for the project, ultimately helping gain the support of key Hollywood stakeholders.

Concept Generation
Flow Mapping
Experience Design
Prototyping
Usability Testing
Visual Design
UX and UI Design

The Challenge: Create a destination that embodies the art and craft of filmmaking

The Academy Museum hosts an unparalleled collection of items representing motion picture production, technology, and history. We needed to communicate the Museum’s academic expertise in charting the history of filmmaking, as well as their acknowledgement of the impact that technology, cultural shifts, and social advancement have had on the movies.

The Solution: A unique look inside the movies

The Academy Museum’s home is breathtaking, combining the historic Saban building with a new, futuristic sphere containing a state-of-the-art theater and landmark outdoor terrace.

Its digital destinations needed to be just as stunning and accomplish the same goals as the physical establishment while encouraging film enthusiasts and movie buffs to continuously engage with the Museum outside of their visit, essentially extending the Museum’s footprint.

Surface relevant information and unique events

While the website and mobile app showcase evergreen content related to the Museum’s collection, they also must feature a rotating calendar of screens, talks, and special exhibitions.

Example marquee image from the Academy Museum website that displays Dorothy's ruby red shoes from the Wizard of Oz, with some descriptive title text laid over top

The Outcome: Filmmaking brought to life on screen

Working closely with the Academy Museum team, we crafted an experience that creates suspense and delight. The result is a dynamic design that delivers on the Museum’s promise of capturing the imagination of their visitors with unforgettable moments and a peek at the world behind their favorite moments in film.

An animated gif of various icons created for the Academy Museum's website
A quote from Steven Spielberg set in the typographic style of the Academy Museum's website which reads "Films don't have a middle or end. They usually have a beginning that never stops beginning."

The Opening Scene

Diving right into the world of film, the homepage greets visitors with a film leader countdown and a marquee inspired by the view through a projector’s aperture.Today’s events take top billing, current exhibitions, filmmaker voices, and collection highlights taking a supporting role.

A prop master’s paradise

Members have clear visibility into the health of every coin, as well as its contribution (both in appreciation and interest) to their total balance.

Never miss a showtime

An alluring program calendar shines a spotlight on exciting upcoming events at the Museum, including screenings, seminars, film festivals, and family activities.

No mystery left unsolved

Visitors can always find what they are looking for with an intuitive search, organized by genre.

A Contender For Best Title Writing

As a nod to laser-etched cinema subtitling, GT Cinetype steals the show with its angular appearance consisting only of straight lines.

Titles are set in caps to increase prominence and echo the Museum’s brand mark. As they appear, dynamically increasing letter-spacing to achieve the effect of an opening credit.

An animated gif displaying multiple typographic treatments used on the Academy Museum's website

Not only the silver screen

Access Museum highlights, exclusive content, and virtual events from the sophisticated and intuitive mobile app.

On location with the Academy Museum

Greater Los Angeles becomes the Museum grounds through their digital guides as you tour important places with location-based film tours, and dive into stories from Hollywood’s past and present.

Image of a mobile device displaying a screen from the Academy Museum's mobile app related to exploring the history of Hollywood landmarks.
Image of a mobile device displaying a screen from the Academy Museum's mobile app related to exploring the history of Hollywood landmarks.
Image of a mobile device displaying a screen from the Academy Museum's mobile app related to exploring the history of Hollywood landmarks.
Image of a mobile device displaying a screen from the Academy Museum's mobile app related to exploring the history of Hollywood landmarks.

Direct your own masterpiece

Inspire others to explore the Museum by making your own film about your visit. Get filming tips, choose your camera, and add a custom soundtrack and title sequence to show your friends how you too are Hollywood royalty.

Image of a mobile device displaying a screen from the Academy Museum's mobile app related to making a video while on-site
Image of a mobile device displaying a screen from the Academy Museum's mobile app related to making a video while on-site
Image of a mobile device displaying a screen from the Academy Museum's mobile app related to making a video while on-site
Image of a mobile device displaying a screen from the Academy Museum's mobile app related to making a video while on-site

The Impact: A captivating performance

Through a shimmering digital ecosystem, The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures brings the magic of the movies to more screens and extends its reach beyond the gallery walls. The public can finally see just how their favorite movies were made, and hear stories from those involved in every aspect of their creation.

This is unprecedented access to the art and craft of filmmaking, both while visiting the Museum and from home, with all the sparkle and wonder of a Hollywood blockbuster.