This was the challenge facing UK government organisation Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), part of the European Interreg funded CABFishMan project. The aim of the project was to increase awareness throughout the fishing industry of the potential impacts that may occur with various types of fishing.
Fishing is a diverse industry and JNCC’s project encompassed all of Europe. It is worth noting that different countries use different types of gear to target the same catch or may target different species entirely. Consideration also needs to be given to the different hazards and the variety of languages spoken.
JNCC were concerned that the information should be educational, rather than critical of fishing methods, and not limited by language barriers. This, therefore, raised the question:
What is the best method to communicate complex information?
JNCC already understood that a series of infographics was, perhaps, the best method to explain complex information to a European audience without any language barriers. Whilst many companies use tools that come with Microsoft Office, or free online tools such as Figma to create infographics, these are limited and could not create the very specific 3D Informational Infographics that JNCC required.
JNCC approached Orchid to submit a proposal to produce seven detailed Infographics, having seen Process Infographics and 3D Informational Infographics that Orchid had previously created for the Energy sector and other Government organisations. The project was awarded and the next steps began.
How to create a 3D Infographic
The JNCC Infographics differ to common business graphics in that they are 3D rendered infographic scenes rather than conventional infographic flow diagram. In summary, the steps required to create the infographics were:
- Storyboard the infographic – A joint workshop was arranged to discuss what needed to be shown and where, and how best to identify the various unique elements of the scene.
- Create a wireframe of the infographic – The wireframe demonstrated the layout and where elements were to be placed. This allowed JNCC the opportunity to review and amend as required.
- Produce the elements required – This is the graphical creation and/or 3D modelling of 3D elements, textures and colours.
- Create the infographic to a high first draft quality – The infographic was compiled and, once completed, was submitted to JNCC for review.
- Incorporate comments to produce a final draft – The comments were discussed and incorporated in to the final draft infographic. The final draft infographic was submitted to JNCC for review and approval.
- Final sign off – The final deliverables were prepared and delivered.
Which software is best for 3D Infographics?
Often for bespoke designed infographics, Adobe Illustrator will be used. With the JNCC infographics, which are fully 3D rendered models, this required a different approach and a blend of software which included:
- 3D Studio Max to create the 3D objects.
- Adobe Dimension to create the 3D scenes.
- Adobe Illustrator to create the curved objects such as ropes and chains.
- Adobe Photoshop to finalise the infographic and add lighting and material techniques, such as aging or rust.
The Project
What did the client say?
“JNCC specifically chose Orchid because of the high quality, clear outputs from previous fisheries gear infographic work that is now widely used as the standard across the fisheries and fisheries management sectors in the UK. The next generation of infographics delivered as part of the CABFishMan project will help marine managers better communicate the potential environmental risks associated with the predominant fishing gears used across the European Atlantic area.” JNCC
Summary
By choosing to create custom infographics using a designer, JNCC have been able to have full control over the style and content of each of the seven Infographics. This has allowed them to continue their business of growing and raising awareness of environmental fishing issues effectively.
To discuss your infographic project, please contact us using the details below.
Orchid are pleased to announce the recent launch of the Elysium website, a show case site promoting the Elysium zero gravity reclining chair that has been designed and built by Cambridgeshire based company, DavidHugh. Each chair is hand crafted from the finest components, blending modern elements such as machined stainless steel and carbon fibre, with traditional leather craftsmanship and a unique mathematical equation that maps the human body to produce a completely unique and gravity defying experience.
With this in mind the primary target regions of the website were identified as being the UK/USA, China and the UAE so the website had to be designed with translations in to these languages in mind. In addition to this, as part of the brief the site specifically should not be too technically focused and instead provide the user with a feel of the quality the chair and the research behind it.
So that the deadlines could be met, Orchid were pleased to introduce DavidHugh to our small network of trusted suppliers who were able to provide the print and photography elements to the high standards required. As we have a long working relationship with our suppliers and understand each others working techniques, all of the components were brought together seamlessly to produce an over all package of work that we are all exceptionally proud of.
Following an in-depth review and consultation period, Orchid began the process of redeveloping the existing bespoke Orchid Content Management System, which has previously served EACS well, in order to introduce new features to make the process of editing the pages and news items more efficient and enable the website to be viewed by a broader audience. Features such as ‘in-line’ editing which enable EACS to edit the content in ‘live view’ (as the user would see the page), enhanced media integration and the addition of ‘shortcodes’ that allow EACS to add in components such as Forms or User Downloads at any point in the page means that the content can be more dynamic and relevant to the user. In addition to this, previous versions of the website have used Flash animations, which at the time were current standards, however these have now been superseded by Edge and jQuery animations and as such, the new EACS website has been updated to reflect this.
