Irene V. Hylton Planetarium
Case Study
The Irene V. Hylton Planetarium, located within C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, provides immersive astronomy experiences for students and the public. Following a major renovation, including a new dome and laser system, the planetarium expanded beyond school programs to offer public shows and private events. They needed a website and branding that matched their modernized facility and growing audience.
The Challenge
The existing website had not been updated in over 15 years. Built on an outdated WordPress blog layout, it lacked engaging visuals, was difficult to navigate, and barely appeared in search engine results. Its plain black background and minimal design failed to reflect the excitement of the planetarium’s new capabilities. Show information was buried or missing, and there was no way to effectively highlight their renovations or upcoming events.
Additionally, the planetarium needed a structured way to catalog over 100 shows, making it easy for educators and the public to search, sort, and filter programs. Their branding had to align with the Prince William County School System, requiring the use of their blue and gold color scheme while maintaining a distinct, engaging look. They also needed materials like flyers, eclipse glasses, and event tickets to reinforce their identity.
The Solution
We built a custom WordPress website with a dynamic, space-themed design, incorporating the required school colors while adding cosmic-inspired elements. To make the experience more engaging, we introduced custom illustrations, animations, and an astronaut mascot, guiding visitors through the site. High-quality photography showcased the immersive nature of their live shows, while SEO optimization improved search rankings.
A custom database system was developed to organize their extensive show catalog, allowing users to easily browse programs by age group, topic, and availability. Navigation was streamlined to ensure quick access to event details, private bookings, and educational resources. The branding was extended across print materials, ensuring a consistent and professional look across all touchpoints.
Project Details
- Web Design
- Web Development
- Custom Web Development
- Content Strategy
- Marketing Collateral
- Website Hosting
- Website Care Plan
- Custom Illustration
Custom Illustration
The custom illustrations played a crucial role in shaping the planetarium’s identity, transforming it from a simple school facility into an immersive space experience. While the logo remained unchanged, we built a visual world around it, using hand-drawn, old-school pen-and-ink techniques combined with modern digital rendering. Every element was crafted from scratch—no stock imagery—creating a distinctive, adventurous aesthetic. The designs featured cosmic landscapes, planetscapes, rocket launches, and an astronaut mascot, making the site feel like a journey into space before visitors even step inside.
Since most programming serves Prince William County Schools, we worked closely with the director to balance fun and education. The illustrations needed to engage young students while maintaining scientific authenticity, using bold colors, dynamic compositions, and imaginative yet realistic details. This fully custom, hand-illustrated brand experience extended beyond the website to flyers, tickets, and solar eclipse glasses. More than decoration, these visuals tell a story, setting the tone for an exciting cosmic adventure.
Process
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Working with Scott and Michele was a game-changer. They took our outdated site and completely transformed it into a modern, intuitive platform that truly reflects who we are. The new logo perfectly captures our mission of protection and stability, and the structured layers visually reinforce what we do every day. From organizing our vast data to creating a seamless experience for our members and policyholders, Blend delivered beyond our expectations. The new site is not just a redesign—it’s a powerful tool for our organization’s future.
– Planetarium Director
Results
The new website is a valuable tool for the school system and educators, making it easier to find and book shows. While public programming has yet to launch, the planetarium has already gained over 1,000 email subscribers in the first year. The director praised the transformation, stating that the new site finally reflects the planetarium’s excitement and innovation. The success of this project has also led to new opportunities, reinforcing their role as a leading space education destination.
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Before / After
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Contact Info
We are unapologetically human—our process, is rooted in design thinking, not AI. It’s this intentional approach that enables us to create work that feels alive, personal, and unforgettable.