Space Foundation Launches Out-Of-This-World Graphics with Gator, Sintra, Dibond Boards

In addition to the wall murals, four first-floor conference rooms were decorated with image collages designed to honor the contributions to space exploration of three US Air Force generals as well as that of a community leader and major space supporter. A background image was printed on vinyl, mounted on acrylic and routed in a disk shape. Additional cut-out images were printed on vinyl and mounted on ½-inch thick white Gatorfoam, then layered atop the background image.

Individual substrates were selected for their aesthetics, durability and light weight, according to Brown, who said substrate weight played an important role in the creation of larger multi-dimensional displays.

For example, the 10-by-10 foot wall mural installed outside the office of Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham features an image of space as it would appear from a space capsule. This vinyl wall mural is framed with two layers of routed 6mm thick black Sintra to give the viewer the impression of looking out of a space capsule window.

Another 8-by-8 foot vinyl wall mural positioned outside executive offices presents a view of space from a cupola on the International Space Station. New Vista Image framed the mural with two layers of 6mm thick black Sintra – the first layer routed in a square shape with rounded edges and the second layer routed in a circular shape. A final layer – resembling a metal-like space station cupola – was routed from 3mm thick Dibond in the Brushed Silver finish.

“The Dibond offered a metal look that you might expect in the space station,” said Brown. “And, Sintra holds up well when it’s used to create long-term displays.”

New Vista Image utilized a total of 328 square feet of 6mm thick black Sintra, 91 square feet of 1/2-inch thick white Gatorfoam and 60 square feet of 3mm thick Dibond in the Brushed Silver finish for the Space Foundation graphics.

Reed provided original artwork files generated with Adobe InDesign software to New Vista Image where designers refined the artwork with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator software to incorporate bleeds. Graphics production was begun in October 2011 with installation completed in November 2011.

“These graphics look fabulous and have received so many compliments,” said Reed. “Everyone who views them is pleased. Several people have come here just to look at the graphics. They provide a dimensional, creative treatment for the walls.”

The Space Foundation will open the initial phase of its world headquarters’ Visitors Center this October. The Visitors Center will include the Northrop Grumman Science Center, which will feature Science On a Sphere and be used for formal education, community programs and general public visits. And, the Visitor Center’s El Pomar Space Gallery will display a small portion of the Space Foundation’s extensive collection of space artifacts and memorabilia. The Visitors Center, which is supported by corporate and philanthropic donations, will initially occupy approximately 3,500 square feet. The Space Foundation is raising funds to create at least 12,000 more square feet of displays, including a teaching auditorium and a Space Technology Hall of Fame.

The Visitors Center will be decorated with graphic displays similar to those installed in the Space Foundation’s office area.

“We’re providing space information for everyone from kindergartners up to space policymakers,” said Reed. “The whole look of this facility is important. New Vista Image did a good job in every phase of this build-out. They made good use of the funds that we’ve raised. These graphics have created a quality environment. They’re eye-catching, impactful and memorable. I can’t wait to do more.”