We’re excited that a UN Intergovernmental IPCC figure designed by our creative director has been adapted into a customizable digital tool by the amazing team at NASA. Before this tool, and before the infamous IPCC figure that this tool is based upon, here’s the history of how Background Stories creative director Arlene Birt conceived the human generation aspect of this figure.
We can’t wait for another year of translating complex ideas into visuals people ‘get’ at a glance. Looking back at 2023, we’re really proud of the work we’ve done — thanks to our amazing partners.
Whether developing an infographic, interpretive sign, or animated video, we approach every project with a time-tested collaborative process.
University of Minnesota Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering (UMN CEGE)Engaging Prospective Students with a Visual CampaignHighlighting opportunities through visual storiesInfographics help students imagine their future academic journeys In collaboration with the UMN CEGE, we helped craft a visual strategy to increase student recruitment. Using a combination of text, illustration, and photography, the finished […]
Our founder/creative director, Arlene Birt, collaborated with more than 60 scientists on data visualizations for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate report. She shares her key lessons in a recent article published by Nightingale.
Great Plains Institute (GPI)Using Visual Language to Explain Clean Energy PoliciesINFOGRAPHICS FOR MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERSTailoring infographics for different audiences = greater impact.We developed a visual strategy for a Great Plains Institute (GPI) outreach campaign, which is focused on enacting a clean transportation standard for the Midwest. We worked directly with Great Plains Institute stakeholders to gather […]
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)Synthesizing Research on Democracy and Climate ChangeVisuals that illustrate key findingsInfographics emphasize key points from the larger report To highlight key findings of a report on climate change and democracy in Asia, our team synthesized key themes out of the report data. We presented several approaches for consideration […]
When you design for everyone, you design for no one…so the saying goes. And we often find understanding the variety of audiences and media for a project can lead to efficiencies in designing the same content speak across multiple audiences. By tailoring a design approach to suit the preferences, background knowledge, and expectations of different groups, —even while using the same content— we can enhance engagement, strengthen connections, and achieve communication goals.
Dovetail PartnersIllustrating Sustainable ForestryCapturing the dynamic nature of healthy forestsVisual diagrams and storytelling help audiences understand complexity. This series of illustrated infographics to show how humans can effectively support carbon sequestration while also meeting human needs for forest products. The infographics – and accompanying presentation builds – capture the complex and dynamic nature of healthy […]
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP)