ACCESS Institute

website design + brand strategy

the access institute

The Advanced Computational Center for Entry System Simulation (ACCESS) is a NASA-funded, multidisciplinary institute that supports space exploration through entry system research. They help expand our understanding of the universe by enabling explorers (both human and robot) to land safely on distant planets and to return to Earth from space.

When we first connected with ACCESS Director Dr. Iain Boyd, we fell instantly in love with their work - adventure, exploration, the vision of astronauts returning to Earth with materials and data from other planets. NASA projects always have a special energy to them, and the ACCESS Institute was no exception. As Iain explains,

“We needed a website to enable broad communication about a new NASA-funded research institute. NASA has a relatively strong internet presence, so we knew that we needed a highly professional and engaging website. I am extremely happy with the end product that Impact Media Lab has delivered, it goes well beyond what I had in my own mind. The most valuable part was their expertise in providing novel (mostly graphic) ways to present complex scientific and engineering concepts”

— Dr. Iain Boyd, ACCESS Director

The ACCESS brand and website were designed to capture the wonder of space exploration, and the challenge of bringing entry vehicles into and out of atmospheres across our solar system. We were excited to build on the great logo and artwork that ACCESS already had, to create a memorable digital experience that brings their science to life.

Dive in to see the work in action👇

Home page

Research page

THE BRAND

bold, brave, innovative

ACCESS empowers exploration by radically advancing the analysis of Entry Systems. The biggest inspirations for the brand were the beauty of space, the challenge of innovation, and the wonder of discovery. We wanted to capture the spirit of space travel and build on the gorgeous logo the institute already had.

access logo (provided by client)

goodies we created for the site

#1: intro graphic & palette

#2: space capsule Icons

Icons add professionalism to a website, and make the browsing experience more fun! When they’re customized to match your logo, they add an understated yet undeniable wow factor for visitors.

#3: mission Slider

We developed a custom slider graphic to share which of the 3 core missions the Institute is currently working on - 1) Dragonfly: landing a large rotorcraft on the surface of Titan (a moon of Saturn); 2) Mars Human Lander: Land humans on the surface of Mars; and 3) Earth Entry Vehicle: Returning samples from the surface of Mars to Earth for detailed study.

Graphics like this one build transparency, excitement, and trust - as visitors can see where the Institute is currently focused and where they’re headed next in research.