How Custom Printed Mats Brought Eden Killer Whale Museum's Exhibition to Life
The Eden Killer Whale Museum tells the remarkable story of the region’s whaling history and its enduring connection to the ocean. At the heart of the exhibition are the museum’s much loved replica whale fins, a favourite feature for visitors over generations.
The project team wanted to refresh the visitor experience while retaining these iconic displays. The Mat Group brought the vision to life through a series of custom printed mat solutions, creating realistic water wakes around the whale fins and giving the impression of whales rising through the floor.
The result is a more immersive exhibition that brings the story of Eden’s whales, the ocean and the region’s marine environment to life.
PROJECT NEED:
The museum needed matting to enhance the depth, clarity and realism of its displays while standing up to high volumes of adult and child traffic. Solutions needed to be weather resistant, anti-slip and anti-trip for visitors of all abilities. They also needed to bring colour and visual impact to the exhibition while remaining practical for staff to manage during set up.
OUR SOLUTION:
Three different mat solutions by The Mat Group were selected to suit each environment:
High Def Printed Logo Mat
Realistic wakes were created around the replica whale fins, enhancing the display and giving the impression of whales rising through the floor.
Print Media Mat
Full colour imagery showcases the beauty and depth of the ocean floor, bringing the underwater exhibition to life. Each mat was made from a different material to highlight the imagery and perform in its relevant location.
Clear Step Checker PlateA durable, anti-slip solution for the external viewing platform, helping visitors connect with the migrating whales seen through the scope.
THE IMPACT:
The mats refreshed and enhanced the existing displays without major changes, adding colour, realism and a stronger connection between visitors and the story being told.
Their manageable size and weight also made them easy for staff to work with during set up. The result is a unique combination of specialist matting, custom imagery and creative thinking. It helped bring the museum’s story to life from the floor up.
