Storytelling of NYC’s Billion Oyster Project
Storytelling of NYC’s Billion Oyster Project

Storytelling of NYC’s Billion Oyster Project

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Overview

The Billion Oyster Project is a NYC-based ecological initiative, restoring oyster reefs to New York Harbor in collaboration with New York City communities. With the help of volunteers, students, and partners, they have:

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restored 47 million oysters and harbors sites
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engaged more than 6000 students and 10,000 volunteers
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collected 1.6 million pounds of oyster shells for reef restoration
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collected 1.6 million pounds of oyster shells for reef restoration

The Challenges

In 2017, the Billion Oyster Project (BOP) approached me to organize a physical experience to engage middle school and high school students. Together, we collaborated and created an exhibit that highlighted the complex stories of the New York City harbors, NY Harbor School, and BOP restoration efforts.

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Oyster reefs provide habitat for hundreds of species, and can protect our city from storm damage — softening the blow of large waves, reducing flooding, and preventing erosion along the shorelines. (BOP site)
The exhibit (2017)
The exhibit (2017)

Objective

"The students are doing amazing work with the Billion Oyster Project but we don't know how to get people interested and excited about it." -Blyss Buitrago
The students collected oyster shells to rebuild oyster reefs
The students collected oyster shells to rebuild oyster reefs

I was brought in to:

  • visualize storytelling through a public space
  • craft meaningful, engaging narratives by sifting dense content, observations
  • create a sense of community and engagement through a public space
  • inspire the next generation of students to become citizen scientists and stewards
Students from the New York Harbor School
Students from the New York Harbor School

Work

>> Meaningful collaboration and research

Being the vibrant learning environment made this process so much more enriching and interesting; I observed classrooms and lab classes; had meaningful conversations with students, instructors, and program coordinators who were ferociously passionate; documented the landscapes of the NYHS, Governors Island, and the reefs

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>> playful visual graphics identity

The landscape of the NY harbors inspiration for the visual identity of the exhibit.

I was inspired by the visual language from a BOP oyster gardening manual that was rich in textures and illustrations.
I was inspired by the visual language from a BOP oyster gardening manual that was rich in textures and illustrations.
I created patterns inspired by the patterns of the NYC harbor landscapes seen on oysters, seaweed, algae, nets, and waves.
I created patterns inspired by the patterns of the NYC harbor landscapes seen on oysters, seaweed, algae, nets, and waves.
Concept: weaving marine characters into the narratives
Concept: weaving marine characters into the narratives
BOP Brand colors resembled aquatic and marine colors found in real life
BOP Brand colors resembled aquatic and marine colors found in real life
illustrated textures used as background elements; tidal pools + algae
illustrated textures used as background elements; tidal pools + algae
oyster shells + harbor waves
oyster shells + harbor waves
Illustrations gave personality to technical education programs
Illustrations gave personality to technical education programs
Poster for the exhibit
Poster for the exhibit

>> storytelling through a physical space

The exhibit was housed at the Nolan House on Governors Island. Each room had themes and guided the story we wanted to tell.

Before
Before
Before
Before
The coral wall encouraged visitors to expressed their thoughts on NYC's harbors and ecosystems
The coral wall encouraged visitors to expressed their thoughts on NYC's harbors and ecosystems
Chalkboard wallpaper lined the inside of the alcove; visitors were encouraged to draw, sketch, and interact with this hands on activity
Chalkboard wallpaper lined the inside of the alcove; visitors were encouraged to draw, sketch, and interact with this hands on activity
The large room provided context about oyster, NY Harbor School, and BOP programs
The large room provided context about oyster, NY Harbor School, and BOP programs
The Outreach area provided information to get involved with the BOP as parents, as students, as volunteers, and as partners
The Outreach area provided information to get involved with the BOP as parents, as students, as volunteers, and as partners
The Steward section highlighted members in the community and showcased the tools used to build oyster reefs
The Steward section highlighted members in the community and showcased the tools used to build oyster reefs

The day of the event

By the end of May 2017, we installed the exhibition panels at the Nolan House. More than 10,000 New Yorkers visited the exhibit on opening day and throughout the summer.

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Visitors pinned their message on oyster-shaped post-its
Visitors pinned their message on oyster-shaped post-its
A sweet drawing from a visitor
A sweet drawing from a visitor
Pretty soon, the chalkboard wall was enthusiastically decorated
Pretty soon, the chalkboard wall was enthusiastically decorated
We invited a marine biologist to the event
We invited a marine biologist to the event
The Steward section encouraged students and visitors to get involved
The Steward section encouraged students and visitors to get involved
A closeup of the oyster restoration panel (oyster cages in the corner)
A closeup of the oyster restoration panel (oyster cages in the corner)

Reflections

Creating a physical experience was definitely challenging yet exciting. I've enjoyed sifting through dense information and crafting it into a narrative and educational opportunity. I hope that by doing so, more people are interested and participate with BOP. I love this city and I love being able to help people make well informed decisions and opinions.