EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
OPERATION CRAYWEED is the flagship restoration initiative from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, aiming to return crayweed to reefs where it once thrived and rebuild essential marine habitats around Sydney.
As part of their educational outreach, they were publishing an article in Frontiers for Young Minds and wanted illustrations that could connect with younger readers.
GOAL: Create a visually engaging, scientifically accurate illustration that are fun, accessible, and informative for a young audience.
I developed a concept centred around An Adventurer's Desk - a playful yet informative layout filled with maps, notes, marine species, and discoveries collected along the way. This format offered a narrative-driven entry point into the science, bridging curiosity and education.
The design balances comic-style line work with a soft, nature-inspired colour palette to ensure clarity and warmth, while retaining scientific integrity. Each element was researched and designed to reflect real-world species, presented in a way that felt exploratory and exciting.
The final artwork has been used as a visual aid for marine science conferences, where it significantly boosted engagement between visitors and researchers. It will also be featured in Frontiers for Young Minds later this year, helping young readers dive into the story of underwater restoration through illustration.
Learn more about Operation Crayweed here
CHANELLE WEBSTER - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UNSW Sydney
