New-Blooming-Orchids

Hi, I’m Annie! →

I’m a narrative-driven designer with a love for prototyping, storytelling, and visual craft.

BLOOMING ORCHIDACEAES
Visualizing the Smithsonian Gardens Orchids Collection

ROLEDesign and Development
A Smithsonian Institute Partnership
Guided by Daniel Sauter

DURATION 4 Months (Sep-Dec 2024)
3 Iterative Revisions

TOOLSJavascript, D3.js, Smithsonian API, Github, HTML/CSS, Python, Copilot

SKILLSGenerous Interface, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Normalization, Information Architecture

PROJECT OVERVIEWThe Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection contains over 3,000 records, but like many institutional datasets, its existing interface prioritizes taxonomic search over public exploration—making it difficult for non-experts to browse, learn, or form meaningful connections.

This project reimagines how institutional data can be experienced by the public. Starting from the perspective of a curious, non-expert visitor, I transformed fragmented Open Access records into an exploratory generous interface that invites discovery, learning, and wonder.

THE CHALLENGE

Large, Unfamiliar DatasetsSmithsonian Open Access interfaces are built around taxonomic search, making exploration difficult for non-experts who don’t know the right terms.

Fragmented RecordsIndividual records show detail, but relationships—like bloom cycles, pollinators, and fragrance—only emerge when viewed across the collection.

DESIGN APPROACH

From Search
to Generous InterfaceInstead of designing another search bar, I built a generous interface—a product that invites exploration through rich, browsable visuals. For audiences with little prior knowledge, discovery comes not from knowing what to ask, but from being surprised along the way.

Did you know some orchids only release fragrance at night to lure nocturnal pollinators? ⁽¹⁾Others mimic the smell of rotting meat ⁽²⁾ to attract flies. And some can grow taller than a person. ⁽³⁾ The visualization enables exploratory discovery, making patterns in fragrance, pollinators, and blooming characteristics visible across thousands of orchid records.

THE VISUALIZATION

Blooming Orchidaceae is an interactive project that lets you explore over 400 orchids and how they differ in color, scent, bloom structure, pollinators, and seasonality. Orchids are grouped by genus to show shared traits, and simple filters help narrow the view by month, pollinator, or fragrance. As you explore, the visualization explains what you’re seeing with highlights, summaries, and detailed views of individual orchids.

This project is best experienced by exploring the live site.

(1) Dominant colorsBloom colors are extracted from orchid images using Vibrant.js and used to explore common visual patterns.

(2) Bloom CharacteristicsBox plots show the distribution of flower count and inflorescence length, with normalized units for comparison.

(3) Fragrance TypeA radial bar chart visualizes fragrance categories, color-coded by scent family. Hover reveals descriptive keywords (e.g., vanilla, honey).

(4) Total CountDisplays the total number of orchids matching the current selection.

(5) Pollinator GroupsFilter orchids by pollinator type; non-matching specimens are dimmed to preserve context.

(6) Bloom MonthFilter orchids by bloom month along a yearly timeline, highlighting seasonal patterns.

(7) Filter SummaryA dynamic callout translates active filters into a readable statement with a preview of matching orchids.

(8) Orchid DetailsClicking an orchid opens a detailed view with species, bloom traits, and ecological data.

(9) Source LinkEach record links to its Smithsonian Open Access page for verification and further exploration.

SKETCHES AND ITERATIONS

From Data to DiscoveryNoticing fields like on_exhibit made me wonder when visitors can see different orchids, while fragrance notes such as “jasmine (at night)” prompted questions about why orchids release scent—leading to Iteration II’s exploration of fragrance and pollinators.

Rather than starting with a fixed visualization or research question, this project was inspired by interesting data points.

Iteration I:
Visualizing Bloom TimeThis visualization maps blooming orchids across a northern hemisphere layout. Visitors can toggle between life forms, explore details on hover, and save orchids to a personal list. This is designed as a tool for visitors to explore the different kinds of orchids they would be able to see at different times.

Live Site

Process

→ The semi-circle represents the northern hemisphere, matching the dataset’s seasonal context.

→ Life forms are shown through textures on the globe so visitors can quickly understand whether orchids grow on plants, soil, or rocks.

Iteration II:
Visualizing FragranceThis iteration explores fragrance as an ecological signal, shifting focus from when orchids bloom to why they smell the way they do. While initial research looked at fragrance timing (day vs. night), limited data led to a deeper focus on the relationship between fragrance types and pollinator groups.

Live Site

Process

OUTCOME

Making Complex Data ApproachableThe visualization demonstrates how complex biological data can be made easy to explore through clear structure, intuitive interactions, and plain-language explanations.

Sparking CuriosityVisual patterns, sensory cues like color and fragrance, and open-ended filters invite viewers to notice relationships and ask questions as they explore.

Encouraging ExplorationLayered filters, dynamic summaries, and detailed specimen views allow users to move smoothly from broad patterns to individual orchids, with direct links back to source data.

Feedback from Smithsonian stakeholders highlighted the visualization as both beautiful and interactive, with clear potential for use in future exhibitions and public-facing experiences.