Project Hiu: Engaging Local Communities
MY ROLE:
Lead Designer.
SCOPE:
Publication/Activity Book Design, Illustration.
TONE:
Coastal, mindful, kid-friendly.
YEAR: 2024
In 2023, I was part of a group of designers who went to Lombok to create a proposal for Project Hiu with design solutions that would help them raise more awareness about their cause and what they offer tourists. They loved many of the proposed touchpoints, and reached out to use some of what we had designed for them.
One of those touchpoints was an activity book that I had designed for adult leisure tourists. Project Hiu wanted to take it further, but rather than tourists, they wanted to turn it into a book that could be given to the school kids on Maringkik Island to teach them about sharks.
Reframing Things
Initially, the activity book had been designed for adult tourists, who are a very different target audience from school kids. So, I knew there were likely some changes that needed to happen in the book. Before re-designing anything, I researched things to keep in mind when designing activities and books for kids and how to teach new concepts to them. I wanted to ensure the book would be digestible and engaging for kids. The points below are some of the things I kept in mind when reframing the book for a younger audience.
Multisensory and kinesthetic activities, like recycling activities or scavenger hunts, can help kids to engage and digest new information better.
Storytelling helps children to develop empathy, which may be helpful if we want to promote compassion for sea life and sharks.
Some kids have trouble reading, and typography with single-story rather than double-story letters, like Futura, makes reading easier for them.
The book was translated to three languages: English, Indonesian and the dialect spoken on Maringkik Island.
Madison Campbell did an exceptional job in designing an activity book for students in a school in Indonesia that works with my non-profit, demonstrating both creativity and cultural sensitivity . . . her artistic skills brought the book to life with beautiful and vibrant illustrations that captivated the students' interest. The drawings were not just visually appealing but also reflected their surrounding environment which inspires pride among the children. Through her dedication and hard work, Madison has created a resource that will leave a lasting impact, her effort truly deserves recognition and praise.
- Madison Stewart, Founder of Project Hiu
The Original Project
If you’re interested in seeing the original activity book designed for adult leisure tourists, click below!
Photography of Maringkik children © Caragh Fraser