The Hidden World
Data storytelling and visual narrative
Telling the Marine Protected Area “Le Secche della Meloria”
How can we make the invisible visible?
Methodology
The first phase of the project focused on data collection and analysis in collaboration with the CIBM – Interuniversity Center for Marine Biology and Applied Ecology “G. Bacci”, which provided scientific information about biodiversity, zonation, habitat types, and conservation policies related to the area.
This scientific foundation allowed me to design an original visual grammar: a structured system of icons, colors, signs, modules, and visual hierarchies created to organize and communicate complex information in a coherent and interpretable way. This grammar became not just a visual code, but a narrative framework that guided the flow of content across formats and platforms.
Methodology
The Hidden World was born from a simple yet meaningful question: how can we make the invisible visible? In this case, the challenge was to communicate the complexity and richness of Le Secche della Meloria, a marine protected area off the coast of Livorno an ecosystem full of biodiversity, but largely unknown and disconnected from the public’s awareness.
To address this, I developed a project at the intersection of data storytelling, visual communication, and environmental awareness, with the goal of transforming raw scientific data into an accessible, engaging, and educational visual experience.
“Even in the vast and mysterious oceanic expanses, we return to the fundamental truth that nothing lives for itself alone.”
– Rachel L. Carson
Objective
At the heart of the project lies the belief that data can tell stories but only if we design them to do so. I approached the content as a living system, transforming raw information into a visual narrative that could speak to both experts and non-experts. The design process balanced accuracy and clarity with emotional resonance, building an experience that informs, engages, and stays with the viewer.
This project gave me the opportunity to explore information design as a form of storytelling, where the visual system becomes an active part of the narrative. I worked on shaping the relationship between form and meaning, data structure and graphic logic, and user experience and educational intent.
I believe design has the power to connect science and society, translating complexity into shared knowledge and creating meaningful relationships between people and the environment. The Hidden World is my way of showing how a well-designed visual story can reveal, educate, and inspire.
Output
Mobile app
with gamification
Interactive platform (high-fidelity prototype)
Printed infographic
blog
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