The Challenge
STAP—Technical Advisory Panel to the Global Environment Facility, has been helping developing countries with implementing chemical conventions and additional environmental agreements (the so-called GEF Projects).
STAP has provided me with several figures, each illustrating a particular issue relating to the environmental pollution to be included in the especially prepared background report. I’ve been commissioned to simplify the figures in order to make the information they contain easier to absorb and to enhance their visual appeal. The target audience would be people knowledgeable of the environmental issues (i.e. regulators), but not necessarily scientists with a background in chemistry.
STAP has provided me with several figures, each illustrating a particular issue relating to the environmental pollution to be included in the especially prepared background report. I’ve been commissioned to simplify the figures in order to make the information they contain easier to absorb and to enhance their visual appeal. The target audience would be people knowledgeable of the environmental issues (i.e. regulators), but not necessarily scientists with a background in chemistry.
Slides provided by the STAP team
The Approach
To ensure maximum flexibility and appealing effect, all illustrations have been hand-drawn on an iPad. Each illustration required creating a coherent visual narrative and an easily recognisable hierarchy that would help the reader better understand the interconnectedness of the undesirable substances present in the environment and their persistent resurfacing.
In the initial sketches, I’ve concentrated on identifying the main pollution sources. Once I had that in place, I’ve proceeded with creating an all-encompassing setting, that would visually hold together these central components. In the end, we’ve managed to cut down the amount of arrows and other unnecessary distractions. The labels have also been abbreviated and their content simplified.
POPs - Persistent Organic Pollutants: Work progress
Slide provided by STAP
Initial draft (composition)
Advanced draft (details)
First release candidate
Accepted illustration
End Result with labels
Mercury Pollution
Slide provided by STAP
First draft (composition)
Advanced draft (placement)
Release candidate
Accepted illustration
End Result with labels
Ozone Depletion
Slide provided by STAP
First draft
Advanced draft
Accepted illustration
End Result with labels
Iceberg Figure 01
Slide provided by STAP
Illustration without labels
Iceberg Figure 02
Slice provided by STAP
Illustration without labels
