Gecko Group

10/07/2025

NOT ALL IDENTITY SIGNAGE IS CREATED EQUAL
Changes to Exterior Signage Can Make a Big Impact

Often, we focus our attention on signage within the organization, inside the zoo or museum or garden. We focus on the experience that comes once you’ve bought your ticket and are through the gates. But, the experience that happens before that gate can be just as important when it comes to making a positive impact. Vibrant, easy-to-read identity signage helps put visitors at ease, letting them know “You have arrived, you are in the right place.”

https://www.geckogroup.com/post/not-all-identity-signage-is-created-equal

09/26/2025

CHEERS TO ANOTHER GREAT AZA CONFERENCE!
From the Ice Breaker at the Aquarium, to making connections on the exhibit floor, to enjoying good food with clients and colleagues, and expanding our knowledge at insightful sessions, we had a blast.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums

09/17/2025

Lauren and Tara are holding it down at the AZA Conference in Tampa! We're talking zoos, we're talking aquariums, we're talking experience design!!

08/07/2025

🚨 PROJECT SPOTLIGHT 🚨

NASHVILLE ZOO:
LEOPARD FOREST & AFRICA: LIVING IN BALANCE

A Creative Approach to Integrating New and Existing Exhibits.

Gecko Group was thrilled to be part of the recently opened Leopard Forest at the Nashville Zoo, part of a larger expansion of its existing Africa exhibit, renamed Africa: Living in Balance.

Leopard Forest features all new architecture, animal habitats, and visitor pathways. But the exhibit experience was nestled within the larger Africa exhibit space, which had its own storylines, look, and feel. While the scope for the project was originally limited to the bounds of the new exhibit, Gecko Group and the Zoo’s exhibit team saw an opportunity to update the fuller experience, creating an engaging exhibit that connects all of the content providing a richer experience for all visitors.

All together Africa: Living in Balance spans an impressive 9 acres of the Nashville Zoo.

See the project page on our site!
https://www.geckogroup.com/portfolio/leopard-forest

07/29/2025

🐅 Happy International Tiger Day! 🐅

We got to learn about and grow our admiration for this remarkable species while working on Tiger Crossroads at the Nashville Zoo. Our choices can make an impact on habitats important to Tigers (and other important species).

Learn more here:

Click below to watch a video walkthrough of the Palm Oil Touchscreen InteractiveA new exhibit focused on palm oil helps communicate a complicated story, while inspiring action for visitors at the Nashville Zoo.The newly opened exhibit Tiger Crossroads at the Nashville Zoo presents some of the most p...

06/26/2025

🚨 NEW WORK 🚨
Leopard Forest Exhibit
Gecko Group is proud to share the opening of the brand-new Leopard Forest exhibit with longtime partner, Nashville Zoo

Leopard Forest includes brand new habitats for new species, including Amur leopards, colobus & DeBrazza’s monkeys, as well as tiny antelopes called klipspringers. In addition to these exciting new species, the Leopard Forest project also includes new interpretive experiences around the Zoo’s rhino and giraffe populations. Four interpretive hubs provide stunning imagery and engaging content and activities for visitors.

Conservation Messaging is at the Heart of Nashville Zoo’s Newest Exhibit.

Centered on the conservation theme of “Africa: Living in Balance” these stations explore some of the remarkable habitats found throughout the African continent and how people and animals use them, and how we can help ensure they thrive for generations.

After more than 20 years of collaboration with the Nashville Zoo, we were thrilled to embark on this most ambitious exhibit, which has been 5 years in the making. We were equally thrilled to partner again with the immensely talented folks at sh|r studios, with whom we previously worked on the Houston Zoo’s award-winning Galápagos Islands exhibit. sh|r studios created the impressive architectural and landscape designs for Leopard Forest. To elevate the visitor experience, we worked with metal artist Matt Hill and ceramic artist Rhoda Kahler to create stunning artistic installations throughout the exhibit. Hill’s striking, angular metal sculptures bring African species up close, while Kahler’s ceramic murals add a vibrant and playful way to acknowledge the project’s many donors.

If you are in or around Nashville anytime soon, we highly recommend you stop by the Nashville Zoo to check out our latest work and experience the amazing Leopard Forest exhibit.

Stay tuned for more images and information on this amazing new exhibit!

06/24/2025

We are very proud to have worked on this incredible exhibit! Go see it!!

05/23/2025

Happy World Turtle Day! 🐢
Who doesn't like turtles?? Hares? MAYBE??

We love all kinds of turtles, from green sea turtles to the land-dwelling tortoises of the Galápagos Islands. We were lucky enough to work with the Houston Zoo on their Galápagos Islands exhibit, featuring these remarkable tortoises. We collaborated closely with the Houston Zoo team to develop the “One Ocean” concept and communicate the Zoo’s conservation efforts.

Check out the full exhibit:

https://www.geckogroup.com/portfolio/galapagos-islands

05/16/2025

It's International Museum Day this Sunday! Take advantage of the day and go check out the latest exhibit or an old favorite at your local Museum! Here are just a few of our favorites:

Please Touch Museum
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org

Mütter Museum in Philadelphia
www.muttermuseum.org

Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle
www.mercermuseum.org

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
www.rrmuseumpa.org

05/13/2025

We were pleased to collaborate again with the team at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden to design beautiful, vibrant banners that will welcome visitors upon entry. We developed concepts that highlighted the many things to do and see at the Garden. From there, we contracted with the fabulous illustrators at Plankton Art Co to realize the designs. Incorporating plant and animal species you will see at the Garden, these stunning banners offer a bright welcome to all.

04/22/2025

🌎 Happy Earth Day!
At Gecko Group, we’re proud to partner with organizations that celebrate, protect, and interpret the natural world. From botanical gardens to aquariums and zoos, to nature centers and conservancies, we help turn spaces into experiences that inspire care for the Earth and action for its future.