Designing Mars: Where Data Becomes Story

Designing Mars is a research-driven visual exploration that translates complex planetary data into meaningful human understanding. The project began with a central question: how can scientific information, often limited to expert audiences, be transformed into visual experiences that are engaging, accessible, and emotionally resonant? Built using the same core datasets, the project intentionally unfolds across two distinct outcomes designed for different audiences. The first direction targets young adults and is developed for large-scale spatial applications such as exhibition or environmental banners, where visuals function as immersive storytelling tools that guide viewers through scientific narratives. The second direction reinterprets the same data as a publication designed for children aged 10-12, simplifying complexity without losing accuracy and encouraging curiosity through approachable visual storytelling. By adapting one research foundation into two audience-specific experiences, the project demonstrates how design can reshape the way information is perceived and understood. Designing Mars bridges science, education, and visual communication, proving that thoughtful design can transform data into connection, curiosity, and discovery. The project has received international design recognition and highlights the potential of research-driven storytelling to make complex knowledge accessible across generations.

From the original award submission, lightly copyedited.