For this project I was asked to select, analyse and organise a specific Geoscience dataset and then design an outcome providing information for a particular need. For your final outcome you are to research and use information design and diagrammatical display techniques in order to visually communicate.You should endeavor to inform, explain and enlighten an audience in a creative manner.

For this brief I have chosen to look at the subject of Overfishing and the impacts for the ocean biosphere as well as potentially for the consumers and industry involved within fishing. An area I have recently come across in the news is the un sustainable depletion of North Sea Haddock. I found the information difficult to understand and put into perspective with the issue, as someone who eats haddock or other fish occasionally I was concerned how this might impact me, others and the environment.

For my solution and response to the brief I have looked at producing an information design which is informative and educational on the subject of Overfishing and its impacts as well as causes. As this is something I feel is not well known, I have looked at the subject historical to present day through data and used my findings within my infographic.

For the concept for my design I wanted to produce a design which showed the causes and the impacts of overfishing using the data from my research. I wanted to show the issue of overfishing in a wider context of the UK fishing industry as well as focus on specific species such as Cod and Haddock. I wanted to look at using imagery revolving around fish being caught in nets. This was a decision I have made as it is an effective way to show the subject visually so that the audience can understand the amount of fish being caught. Another area I wanted to explore was the use of pictograms to show data so there wasn’t to many charts. Finally, I wanted to show what fish to eat and what not to eat to help consumers to make sustainable decisions.

The size which I have chosen to work with is 59.4cm in width by 111.2cm in height, I have chosen this size to fit the elements design within my initial ideas and following test with the layout and design of all of the components on paper.

To develop my design, I took my initial ideas and sketches and looked at first producing the data into vectors which were accurate, to do this I converted my data in CSV files and used RawGraphs to convert the data into shapes. This gave me the data to design around in illustrator.

For the colour scheme of my design I have chosen to focus and design around tonal blues. To get across the theme of the sea and to create a unified design.

For the main parts of my design I used a map of the UK to show how the seas have been overfished. I designed this around the idea of it being a fishing net with different percentages to show the states of the sea. The rest of the design is built around this part. The scene I have tried to set is fishing vessels fishing in the sea, showing the boats and the sea from the side. I have used a blue tonal background to show the sea behind the main net.

To show the setting of UK fishing waters I have continued the map to show fishing waters and stocks around the UK with dashed lines and labels. I have done this to use in reference to the data and information I am trying to get across to the audience. I was not aware of this within the subject so I felt educating the audience was needed.

Along the top of the design I have used the main part of my data to show how Fish caught per year has effected the UK fishing industry. Within this I have used the overall fish caught by UK fishing vessels and then compared it with the number of Cod and Haddock caught to show the over reliance on a food source leading to overfishing. To present this data I have used a timeline mainly built around a bar chart with bubble chart and pictograms built within it. The fish caught I have used sized and scaled circles within fishing nets. To show the number of fish caught I have used a bar chart to show how the seas are being emptied. Another part is the boat and the seagulls to show the size of the UK fishing fleet and number of Fisherman.

To show the timeline I have used an illustrated rope with the year in the relevant section. I have done this to link with the other imagery of the subject. For the data of the fish being caught I have used a consistent size across all of the bubbles. In terms of the colours used in this section I have used realistic colours and purples and blues to fit with the colours used within the rest of the design. To finish this section, I have used a key detailing all of the different components with labels and how the data can be measured. For this I have tried to make it as clear and readable as possible so that the audience can understand the data and infographic.

Below the top section I have developed the design to fit with the different sections or stock areas of the sea. I have made using RawGraphs and Illustrator two bar chars to show the amount of Cod and Haddock being caught per year within the North Sea separately as well as using a line to show the Fish capable of reproducing left in the sea.

To go around the infographics used in this section I have added text to show what the tools used to measure the data mean these include Catches, Discards and Recruitment Age 1. I have done this so that the audience knows what the data means and its effect on overfishing and their life.

Along the bottom of the design I have created a design to show the effects of overfishing on the sales of fish and what to eat and what not to eat. To separate the sections, I have used a rope again so that the data doesn’t become confusing. Underneath I have begun by design around the idea of a Fish counter in a supermarket. I have used Data I have collected from Grimsby Fish Market to show how Cod and Haddock prices changed over the course of three years. I have used this to show how overfishing has effected the price for consumers and money made by fisherman. I would have liked to use a wider range of data to show a better change and get across the impact better, but I couldn’t find any examples.

The final part of my design is a counter which shows how different fish are sustainable or should be avoided. I found through my research and asking relatives about the subject they were mostly un aware of the difference in fish from different stocks or areas. For example, Cod from Icelandic waters are sustainable as they haven’t been overfished over a long period of time, whereas Cod from the North Sea have been extensively overfished so should be avoided as they are unsustainable. I have used data and Information I have collected from the Good Fish Guide to colour code this information to show which fish and from what areas show be good to eat and what should be avoided. With the use of colour in this section I have tried to tread a fine line between the colours used on the website of the organisation and tones which work with the rest of the design. For each species I have created an accurate silhouette and then labelled them by region.