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Even in a digital age, posters remain one of the most effective and accessible tools for bringing community awareness of environmental issues. The Invasive Species Collaborative at Virginia Tech asked me to create five posters that would help them explain the massive impacts of invasive species. Three of the posters focused on impacts (Economic, Environmental, Human Health and Wellbeing), one featured Virginia invasive species, and the primary poster was an overview of ISC's mission and efforts. Even in a digital age, posters remain one of the most effective and accessible tools for bringing community awareness of environmental issues. The Invasive Species Collaborative at Virginia Tech asked me to create five posters that would help them explain the massive impacts of invasive species. Three of the posters focused on impacts (Economic, Environmental, Human Health and Wellbeing), one featured Virginia invasive species, and the primary poster was an overview of ISC's mission and efforts. 
Poster Creation from Concept to Final DesignThe steering committee worked closely with me to bring these posters to life. The first steps involved determining the most important content and the message we wanted each poster to convey. I then created a color palette and design aesthetic that would carry through all of the posters to create a cohesive set. Every poster starts by defining an invasive species. This was key because some posters may be used individually and this definition really helps the readers understand exactly what we are discussing. The "impacts" posters all included boxes on the lefthand side so we could showcase specific examples, while the righthand side was reserved for key data and statistics. Notice, I had to paint a tick. This was the second time in a month that I had to paint a tick and I can't stand ticks! The steering committee worked closely with me to bring these posters to life. The first steps involved determining the most important content and the message we wanted each poster to convey. I then created a color palette and design aesthetic that would carry through all of the posters to create a cohesive set. Every poster starts by defining an invasive species. This was key because some posters may be used individually and this definition really helps the readers understand exactly what we are discussing. The "impacts" posters all included boxes on the lefthand side so we could showcase specific examples, while the righthand side was reserved for key data and statistics. Notice, I had to paint a tick. This was the second time in a month that I had to paint a tick and I can't stand ticks!
Each Image is a Watercolor PaintingThe posters required a combination of digital elements and painted images. I created watercolor paintings for all of the different species and landscapes featured in the posters. The painting of the saguaro cactus surrounded by burning buffelgrass is particularly meaningful. My husband grew up in Tucson and spent many volunteer hours pulling out tufts of buffelgrass to try and protect the beloved saguaros. The posters required a combination of digital elements and painted images. I created watercolor paintings for all of the different species and landscapes featured in the posters. The painting of the saguaro cactus surrounded by burning buffelgrass is particularly meaningful. My husband grew up in Tucson and spent many volunteer hours pulling out tufts of buffelgrass to try and protect the beloved saguaros. 
Consider Using a Poster for Your Own OutreachAn eye-catching illustrated poster can really bring attention to your work, providing a lot of information in a single space that can be brought along to conferences, educational events, or hung up in classrooms and museums. Visual storytelling can have a greater impact on a wide audience, bringing awareness and inspiring action. These are not the first outreach posters I have created. I made a poster about the proper handling and release of manta rays and devil rays on tuna fishing ships. The posters now hang in ship galleys across the oceans in multiple languages in an effort to help prevent unnecessary manta ray deaths. I am hopeful these posters will bring awareness to the invasive species you may encounter in your own life, and inspire the public to take action. I personally learned a ton in the process of creating these posters, and I will never look at that barberry bush in my neighborhood the same way again! An eye-catching illustrated poster can really bring attention to your work, providing a lot of information in a single space that can be brought along to conferences, educational events, or hung up in classrooms and museums. Visual storytelling can have a greater impact on a wide audience, bringing awareness and inspiring action. These are not the first outreach posters I have created. I made a poster about the proper handling and release of manta rays and devil rays on tuna fishing ships. The posters now hang in ship galleys across the oceans in multiple languages in an effort to help prevent unnecessary manta ray deaths. I am hopeful these posters will bring awareness to the invasive species you may encounter in your own life, and inspire the public to take action. I personally learned a ton in the process of creating these posters, and I will never look at that barberry bush in my neighborhood the same way again! 
ResourcesIf you are interested in finding out more about the Invasive Species Collaborative, check out https://invasivespeciesvt.org/ If you think a poster would help spread your message, let me know! Let's design something impactful together. Click to Get Started If you are interested in finding out more about the Invasive Species Collaborative, check out https://invasivespeciesvt.org/ If you think a poster would help spread your message, let me know! Let's design something impactful together. Click to Get Started
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