OVERFISHING

Understanding the increasing damage of our dying oceans.

DURATION

Sept - Nov 2018

TYPE

School Project

ROLE

Information Design, Illustrations, Print, UI/UX, Research, Design Thinking

SOFTWARE

Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Sketch, Flinto

RECOGNITION

SOFTWARE

SoGood Design Award Winner / 2020
RGD Intent Pivot Award Winner / 2019
RGD Gravity Inc Award Honourable Mention / 2019

As a young child armed with my local aquarium pass, I loved the ocean and learning about the beautiful world that lived under the sea. Having lived on the west coast it is clear that the ocean has become interwoven with our way of life. However, this makes overfishing a growing problem that could leave thousands of people without jobs and without food. Overfishing is a brochure and app that raises awareness on the impending and detrimental impact of the collapse of global fisheries.

As a young child armed with my local aquarium pass, I loved the ocean and learning about the beautiful world that lived under the sea. Having lived on the west coast it is clear that the ocean has become interwoven with our way of life. However, this makes overfishing a growing problem that could leave thousands of people without jobs and without food. This informational brochure and app aims to raise awareness of the drastic changes overfishing has causing to the ecosystem and the potential impacts it has on humans.

PROBLEM

If we continue fishing at the same rate we currently do, the world's fisheries will collapse by 2048.

Fish and the oceans play large roles in the lives of humans- 1 billion people depend on fish for nutrients. Coastal cities depend on fish as a major part of their economy. If global fisheries collapse, 200 million people will be unemployed in the fishing industry. Marine ecosystems are also in danger of extinction as they are unable to re-cooperate at the rate we fish. This could lead vulnerable species to extinction.

SOLUTION

Intentional Illustrations and Storytelling

Through illustration, the reader is led through a visual narrative of overfishing as a whole. The drawings depict the problems that overfishing causes and helps the user reflect and relate to the issue. A strong narrative is the guiding force which allows for a more cohesive project. These elements create a more memorable and lasting experience leading the reader to help the cause.

RESEARCH

Raising Awareness

Through my research I discovered that overfishing is caused by multiple factors- on a global scale, people are consuming more fish than ever before- around 20 kilos a year. As technology has improved the amount of fish caught has also increased. In addition, poor regulation for fishermen has also accounted for the rise in overfishing. This put into account, marine life cannot replenish as fast as we are fishing which leads to species becoming endangered and predators rising in numbers.

People should also consider the location of their food sources and whether it is sustainable by supporting programs such as Ocean Wise. Increased use of aqua farming can also alleviate the stress on marine life in the oceans. Reducing waste and continuing to recycle can also prevent pollution in the oceans which would also start to affect marine life. Livelihoods, and the fate of the species in the oceans rest on how we treat our oceans in the future.

IDEATION

Narrative

The pamphlet begins with the cover introducing the viewer to the graphic style. It opens to a brief overview of the issue, then expands to a second spread which outlines the causes of overfishing. The big poster explains the consequences on both human and marine life and the potential actions people can take to fight against overfishing.

Visual Styling

I selected the font GT Pressura to pay homage to the "fishermen aesthetic" as it's reminiscent of type found painted on boats or in fishing towns. To balance out the title I chose a more round and clean font for the body text. The colour palette is inspired by the soft pastels and colours found in fishing towns and colours that compliment blue as the ocean was a big component of the project.

FINAL PAMPHLET

Front & Back

For the cover I wanted to ensure that the illustrations were enticing and would draw people to read the brochure. The type was put on the boat as if it was the name of the ship.

Opening Spread

The opening spread has key statistics and the overall history of how technology has changed leading to the increase of overfishing. I made the statistics illustration oriented and carried the fishing theme throughout.

Inside Spread

The second spread expands on technology, poor fishing practices, the growth of population and environmental damage that has increased the causes of overfishing. I stuck with a very specific type treatment to tie the image and data together.

Poster

The poster specifies how overfishing effects human lives and a few key species of fish and how people can help in their everyday lives. I kept a similar type treatment from the past spread.

APP IDEATION

From Print to Digital

For the digital aspect of the project I created an iPad app for users to engage with the data and facts. I fully took advantage of the medium at hand by making one long scrolling landscape where users can swipe through the different stages and understanding of overfishing as an issue. To interact with the information the user can either swipe down with the fishing lines and delve deeper into the data and the ocean. Markers and small interactions showcase diagrams and info.

FINAL APP

Navigation

With the navigation I used a fish hook to show where the user is in the app and to further the visuals of "fishing."

Timeline

To show the history of oversfishing I experimented with new ways to play with "delving deeper" into the info by using the fishing line as a timeline. This showcases the icons and info in an engaging way.

Causes

Data points can be selected on the large illustrations in order to visually showcase the problems that cause overfishing. The continuous image adds flow to the user journey.

Consequences

The impacts uses the same type treatment to help create consistency. Dragging down also reiterates the concept of "diving deeper" into the problem. The animation of the fish adds playfulness and helps bring focus to the specific species.

How We Can Help

In the digital iteration I thought that the call to action section could be more detailed, where it would outline more information on sustainable fish through a fish market and on the impacts garbage pickups have on our shores.

WATCH ME PLAY WITH THE APP

TAKEAWAYS

Stay consistent.
Through this project I learned to use the same technique and style throughout the whole process to keep everything within the same theme and style.

The medium is the message.
It was important to consider how the viewer would interact with the information and how the different mediums would change that.

* Not affiliated with the Vancouver Aquarium

Say Hi!

Let's grab a coffee- feel free to email me at hmchen98@gmail.com.
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