Academic Project
Typographic Mapping
Date
May 2021
Project type
Experimental Amazon Potential Virus Library Design - Academic Project
This project was inspired by the global outbreak of COVID-19, which revealed how vulnerable modern life can be to viral disruptions. The pandemic is a reflection of human expansion and the infringement on wildlife habitats. As the Amazon rainforest continues to shrink due to climate change, it has also been identified as one of the largest reservoirs of unknown coronaviruses.
This typographic mapping visualizes the invisible viral threats that may exist within the Amazon, urging viewers to reconsider the consequences of environmental neglect. The layout is based on the actual geography of the Amazon rainforest. Blue and red were chosen to resemble the visual structure of blood vessels, while the feathery edges evoke the surface of a petri dish. The branching patterns also echo the appearance of human lungs, reinforcing the idea of the Amazon as the “lungs of the Earth.” Bright orange accents were added to signal infection and urgency, drawing attention to the dangers of ecological collapse.
Design Process
The design initially featured a white background. To enhance the depth of the map, a grid structure was introduced, and selective distortion was applied to better reflect the geographic characteristics of the Amazon. The red outline was later adjusted to bright orange, which provided a more striking and infectious visual effect, especially when set against a black background.
