Our approach centered on the garden as a space of quiet wonder—something to be nurtured, explored, and appreciated. We were inspired by the quote from Claude Monet: “All of a sudden I had the revelation of how enchanting my pond was.” This idea of rediscovering beauty in the familiar became the foundation for our design concept. We wanted the space to feel immersive and calming, especially for younger visitors, while maintaining a sense of magic and curiosity.

The floor featured a koi pond where children could walk and “leap” across lily pads as fish swam gently beneath them. This interactive element encouraged movement and play while reinforcing the garden’s role as a living, reactive space. The motion design of the water and fish was purposefully slow and smooth to create a tranquil, meditative rhythm.

On the walls, we extended this atmosphere with a layered nighttime garden scene. Every element, from the swaying trees to glowing fireflies, was animated subtly to create a soft, dreamlike effect. The palette leaned into rich, moody hues to simulate dusk, allowing key visual elements like blossoms and light to glow and guide the eye.

The illustrative style was whimsical but controlled, appealing to children without feeling overly cartoonish. Typography was treated playfully to mirror childlike wonder while maintaining legibility and elegance. Our goal was to balance enchantment with clarity, ensuring that the visual storytelling invited participation without overwhelming the senses.

Throughout, we designed with the museum’s family audience in mind, building a quiet narrative through movement and color that encouraged visitors to slow down, explore, and experience a moment of stillness together.