Humanity is approaching a defining stage in its history: exploration of the universe. Cross-medium design can be used to create an identity for humanity in this context, which is practically applicable for understanding by both humans and extra-terrestrial beings.

Design
Design Systems
Communications
Interstellar Identity – Full Solar System
Above
Complete visual system, depicting our solar system (scaled mathematically) and the molecular composition of each planet's atmosphere.

Project Aim

The aim of this project was to create a cross-medium identity for humanity in the context of our impending colonial expansion into the universe. This identity needed to be understandable by both humans and extra-terrestrial intelligence – a task which required accounting for variances in the audience’s ability to communicate. Thus, a system needed to be developed which allows the identity to be translated across mediums while still retaining its meaning.

Above
Video showcasing the visual and audio components of the Interstellar Identity design system.
Interstellar Identity – Earth
Above
The graphic depicting Earth in the design system.

Earth

The graphic for Earth is made up of multiple components. Centrally, we have the circle for Earth size relatively to the rest of the system, and in a hexagonal pattern surrounding are the molecules which make up human DNA. Further out there are the molcules for water and oxygen, before finally we have the molecular composition of Earth's atmosphere, which each planet also has included.

Atoms

Below are the graphics for each of the atoms included in the full design system.

Hydrogen

H

Helium

He

Carbon

C

Nitrogen

N

Oxygen

O

Sodium

Na

Phosphorus

P

The Planets

Each of the planets in the system are scaled and include their basic atmospheric composition.

Interstellar Identity – Mercury

Mercury

Atmosphere: 40% Oxygen, 30% Sodium, 10% Helium, 20% Hydrogen.

Interstellar Identity – Venus

Venus

Atmosphere: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).

Interstellar Identity – Mars

Mars

Atmosphere: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).

Interstellar Identity – Jupiter

Jupiter

Atmosphere: 90% Hydrogen, 10% He.

Interstellar Identity – Saturn

Saturn

Atmosphere: H₂.

Interstellar Identity – Uranus

Uranus

Atmosphere: 75% Hydrogen, 25% Helium.

Interstellar Identity – Neptune

Neptune

Atmosphere: 80% Hydrogen, 20% Helium.

Interstellar Identity – The Sun
Above
The graphic depicting the Sun in the design system.

The Sun

The sun is scaled compared to the planets, and contains its atmospheric composition: 75% Hydrogen, 25% Helium.

Process Work

Explore process work for this project.

Research Proposal

Part one of this project was the research and design proposal. This document contains the research, case studies, theories and early ideas which Interstellar Identity came from.

Early Ideation

Early development focused on basic symbols, binary and morse code as a visual form of presenting information. I also decided early on that the information would be scientific in nature as this is most likely to be a universal concept.

Digital Development

I began experimenting with icons, visual forms and layouts. It was important to ensure the design was mathematically sound (especially in terms of proportions and sizing), which made for an interesting problem in balancing that with aesthetically pleasing design.

Audio Development

While designing the visual form, I was also working on the audio, using the tone generator in Adobe Audition. I used different wavelengths and lengths of tones as a way to present data in audio form.

Accompanying Report

Alongside the development of the project was a studio report, detailing the process, theory and thinking that went into Interstellar Identity.

Download the Report