The challenge
To create educational content that attracts funding from scientific dissemination institutions. The work also earned recognition for graphic and editorial excellence, aligning with our business strategy.
To create educational content that attracts funding from scientific dissemination institutions. The work also earned recognition for graphic and editorial excellence, aligning with our business strategy.
The context
I conceived this project at Nexo Jornal to create a series capable of reaching people regarding scientific knowledge and concepts. The goal was to deliver content consumable in a few minutes, in a light and dynamic way. The pilot was presented by the newspaper's management to Instituto Serrapilheira, an institution that funds research and scientific dissemination initiatives, which financed the project's production.
I conceived this project at Nexo Jornal to create a series capable of reaching people regarding scientific knowledge and concepts. The goal was to deliver content consumable in a few minutes, in a light and dynamic way. The pilot was presented by the newspaper's management to Instituto Serrapilheira, an institution that funds research and scientific dissemination initiatives, which financed the project's production.
Original text and final version of the same information, adapted to the series format.
The colors used in the project are an adaptation of the palette used in other projects from the partnership between Nexo and Instituto Serrapilheira.
The research
The project was structured as a visual series titled "The Illustrated History of Knowledge". Composed of ten illustrated timelines that, once a month, explained how certain inventions or knowledge developed and forever changed our way of living. The structure I developed includes:
> A visually appealing presentation on different platforms (smartphone and desktop)
> Content formatting to facilitate reading and production: introduction and three chapters
> Use of a color palette adapted from other projects of the partnership between Nexo and Instituto Serrapilheira
> Adaptation for two different screen groups: mobile devices (300px) and desktops (720px)
The process
I divided the project into five stages and actively participated in all of them, with the support of a multidisciplinary team composed of: a guest researcher, a designer & writer (my main role besides organizer), an assistant writer, a developer, and an editor.
> Discovery: Definition of format and initial ideas.
> Definition: Establishment of periodicity, number of topics, and team involved.
> Ideation: Development of sketches, visual language, and choice of themes.
> Implementation: Contact with scientists, establishment of deadlines, programming, research, writing, and creation of illustrations.
> Impact: Evaluation of repercussion and mentions.
> Definition: Establishment of periodicity, number of topics, and team involved.
> Ideation: Development of sketches, visual language, and choice of themes.
> Implementation: Contact with scientists, establishment of deadlines, programming, research, writing, and creation of illustrations.
> Impact: Evaluation of repercussion and mentions.
I also created a schedule and aligned an expectation of delivery for each phase:
> The guest researcher shares their version of the script (14 to 21 days)
> We edit the text to work in an illustrated narrative (5 days)
> Image research and production of illustrations (10 days)
> Technical review of the edited text and illustrations (5 days)
> Final adjustments (2 days)
> We edit the text to work in an illustrated narrative (5 days)
> Image research and production of illustrations (10 days)
> Technical review of the edited text and illustrations (5 days)
> Final adjustments (2 days)
The tools used included Google Docs, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and VSCode.
Designed to be easily adapted for various platforms and social media channels of interest to Nexo.
The results
> Graphic Excellence Award from the Society of News Design in the Line of Coverage category: Environment, Health & Science
> Honorable mention in the Scientific Dissemination category of the 4th edition of the IMPA Journalism Award
> The timelines were present in the list of most accessed content of Nexo Jornal
> Increase of the data team from four to five people and positive reception from partners
> The production stages created for the project agilize deliveries of other projects. The published version was ready three days before the agreed date
> Opening for new projects with the validation of the illustrated format for telling complex stories in a condensed way
The series produced: eight maps, 15 charts, 29 portraits, 47 processes, and 92 illustrations.
