New York Butterfly Observatory

A conceptual editorial design project completed as part of my BA (Hons) Graphic Design final year showcase portfolio.

Three framed posters of butterfly eyes displayed on a wall, with shadows and butterflies around. Each poster shows a close-up of a butterfly's eye with gallery text in the top corner.
Three framed posters of butterfly eyes displayed on a wall, with shadows and butterflies around. Each poster shows a close-up of a butterfly's eye with gallery text in the top corner.

The challenge

Part of my BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree coursework – the brief was to create an editorial campaign project for any brand of our own choosing.

The solution

A witty response for the American Museum of Natural History’s New York Butterfly Observatory, which raises awareness of the fragility and beauty of butterfly species. From using the eye-like patterns in butterfly wings to suggest the idea of observing up close, to emulating the lightness of a butterfly on a finger with a brochure design printed with tracing paper.

Scope

Art direction, Editorial design, Layout design, Poster design, Stationery design, Typography

22%

overall decline in butterfly populations across the US, with about 1.3% fewer butterflies each year, driven by habitat loss, pesticide use and the climate crisis – more awareness is needed around the conservation efforts happening to protect these species.

Three postcards with butterfly illustrations on a white background.
A person's hand holding a book titled 'Butterfly' with an image of a Monarch butterfly on the cover, against a white background with shadows.
Close-up of a butterfly with orange and black wings on a white background with orangered and black text.
Book with a partial title visible, featuring white text on a gray background, and an image of a coffee bean.

One of my proudest student pieces until this day, this project combines witty ‘smile in the mind’ design thinking with experimental use of materials.

Three framed posters of butterfly eyes on a beige wall, with small butterflies casting shadows and sunlight creating diagonal shadows across the posters.
A butterfly exhibit ticket with a butterfly illustration at the center.

Design takeaways

  • The value of experimenting with materials in print design. Considering different finishes for paper and card stock, for example, can help push a piece of work beyond purely visual communication into something tactile, physical, and memorable.

  • Designing for an important cause. From emotional connection to a sense of community purpose and engagement, projects like these, even though conceptual, can be hard to come by in corporate design. I appreciate each opportunity I get to work on projects with visible social and environmental impact – they are a special kind of fulfilling and rewarding.

Let’s work together

If you have a similar project you’d love a new design perspective on, get in touch with me at hello@chromakane.com – I look forward to finding out about your brand’s story.