Using illustration to stimulate discussion about forest conservation and sustainability in contemporary society

Abstract

Technological advancements apparently affect the relationship between humans and nature that their interaction seems to become more distant. The.objective of this research is to create new connections between people and nature to stimulate a wider discussion about forest conservation and sustainability in the contemporary society. The research uses illustrative methods and visual narrative then combining them with illustration and motion graphics to communicate via written story about forests and deforestation. The underpinned illustration structure is derived from experimentation with proportional systems of the Fibonacci sequence and the L-system, alongside with extensive visual analysis of leaves from Khao Nam Khang National Park, Thailand. The study results in a sequence that demonstrates a narrative communication on how nature can evolve and adapt to overcome challenges from human intervention, flood and decay.

Aiming to explore the beauty of nature, the research has applied visual elements from “Leaf” together with fundamental of L-system and Fibonacci theory. Although “Leaf” is only a small element, it can represent trees in the forest. It also demonstrates a small universe about life and beauty. Furthermore, leaf is able to tell us about climate change, seasons and ecology. In other words, visual elements, occurred in leaves, are able to tell us about life nourishing and growing. The purpose of this research is to collect data from leaf which composes of visual elements such as shape, form, color and vein’s pattern to decode and use in visual communication design system. It was found out that all elements showed on leaf can be developed and applied in many design fields. Referring to the purposes of the research, it is expected that designers can employ the assembled data collection and use it to provoke public concern and awareness about climate change as well as forest benefit through storytelling.