Save Our Seas Foundation
Shy Shark Exhibit
Client: Save Our Seas Foundation – Shark Education Centre Kalk Bay
Project lead & client management: Unfold
Design: Unfold
From Egg to Adult
The SOSF Shark Education Centre in Kalk Bay expanded its shy shark eggs and hatchlings exhibit, giving visitors a rare peek into the early stages of these gentle little sharks. Their team created a system that lets children and adults watch the sharks grow inside their egg cases, then follow them as they move to the baby tank and later into a larger tank once they’re old enough.
Our role was to help them share this life cycle story in a simple and engaging way that young visitors could easily explore and enjoy.
Size, Style and Story
The exhibit sits inside a three-panel box structure that houses the tanks and allows for easy maintenance. SOSF provided us with precise measurements for the cut-out openings, so we could plan the illustrations around the displays. The tanks are positioned at children’s eye level, so everything needed to be clear, inviting, and scientifically accurate.
SOSF requested an illustrative style inspired by comic books—playful, but still true to nature. Only about half of the large surface could be used for storytelling to ensure the information was easily readable by young visitors. We began by mapping out how the space could work, using the circular cut-out for the egg tank as a key focal point. From there, we sketched a simple visual outline of the story and paired it with rough text to establish tone and pacing.
While the SOSF team refined the wording, we began developing illustrated elements of the kelp forest to give a clear sense of the intended style. Once the direction was approved, we moved into full illustration.
Focused on Detail
Getting the scale right was essential, especially for the sharks and their eggs. We worked in Adobe Illustrator to keep everything vector-based for crisp lines at large scale. Each element was built with multiple layers to add depth and create a more immersive visual experience.
We chose each colour with care. Shy sharks live in kelp forests, where the water appears more green than blue. The aim was to build a lush underwater world that feels true to nature, while keeping the educational panels bright, clear, and easy to read for young visitors.
The final story is told through the eyes of a tiny hatchling, sharing its journey with fun, bite-sized facts along the way. Installation went smoothly, and SOSF is delighted with the result. Judging by the number of little nose prints on the tank glass every day, the kids love it too.
