For millions of travelers driving south into the Sunshine State, the I-95 Welcome Center in Yulee, Florida is their very first taste of what the state has to offer. This vital facility not only provides maps and travel tips but also serves as an introduction to Florida’s rich natural beauty.
To give visitors an unforgettable first impression, VISIT FLORIDA partnered with our team at Wilderness Graphics to design, fabricate, and install a stunning new Indoor Freshwater Diorama Exhibit. Designed to mimic a gently flowing Florida river, this immersive display brings the state's winding waterways and crystal-clear springs directly to tourists, educating them on iconic freshwater habitats and local wildlife.
Here is a behind-the-scenes look at how we combined modern graphic production with custom 3D fabrication to create a captivating welcome experience.
Welcome to Florida: Telling the Story
The goal of the new indoor exhibit was to capture the wild spirit of Florida's freshwater ecosystems and educate visitors on the environments they are about to explore. We designed and produced a series of vibrant 48" x 12" horizontal interpretive panels, including:
Welcome to Florida: An introductory panel that highlights the state's incredible geography, stretching over 800 miles from Pensacola to Key West. It includes vital safety tips, like reminding guests to check local weather and keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Meet the Locals: This panel dives into the state's incredible biodiversity, educating visitors on the diverse ecosystems native wildlife call home, with a special focus on the lush habitats surrounding Florida's lakes, rivers, and natural springs.
Florida's Living Legend: Dedicated to the iconic American Alligator, this panel explores how these reptiles have been around since the age of dinosaurs. It educates visitors on the estimated 1.3 million alligators that inhabit the state's freshwater lakes, rivers, and marshes.
To ensure the graphics look vibrant and professional in an indoor, high-traffic setting, the panels were printed on our premium PermPrint material and securely mounted on sleek, Matte Black Aluminum Posts with a matching Matte Black Cove Base.
Immersive 3D Tactile Elements in a River Setting
An engaging exhibit is one that visitors can interact with. To elevate the display beyond flat graphics and truly sell the "flowing river" aesthetic, our fabrication team incorporated highly detailed, custom 3D-printed tactile elements directly into the diorama design.
Using state-of-the-art 3D printing and finishing techniques, we fabricated realistic models that fit perfectly into the freshwater river scene, including:
-An Alligator Swimming model and a dedicated Gator Scute Tactile element, allowing visitors to feel the texture of the "Living Legend's" armored skin.
-A Florida Turtle basking on a custom 3D-printed log, looking right at home in the river diorama.
-Native freshwater fish species like the Bluegill Bream.
A Lasting First Impression
A Welcome Center should do more than just hand out brochures; it should inspire the journey ahead. By combining durable, high-resolution PermPrint graphics with custom 3D tactile elements and a beautiful flowing river diorama, the new freshwater exhibit at the VISIT FLORIDA I-95 Welcome Center does exactly that.
Whether visitors are driving down for a theme park vacation or heading out to kayak one of the state's stunning natural springs, they now begin their trip with a deeper appreciation for the incredible freshwater ecosystems that make the Sunshine State so special.
Does your visitor center, museum, or welcome facility need custom indoor exhibits and 3D tactile dioramas?
Explore our Custom Fabrication options, or contact Wilderness Graphics today to start planning your next immersive educational project!