Background This inforgraphic was created in two weeks as part of my Graphic Design study at Yoobee Colleges. We were asked to create a infographic explaining a complex process using as little text as possible. Scenario Many new fish owners have outdated views or little idea of the requirements for keeping pet fish happy and healthy. This lack of understanding often leads to stressful living conditions and potentially death for the fish, and confusion, stress, and disappointment for the owner. While there is a lot of information online for fish care, it can be overwhelming. Most new owners turn up to the store expecting to take home fish immediately without realising the preparation necessary. While petshop employees are often happy to educate new fish owners, they must impart a lot of complex information in a short amount of time, most of which will be forgotten. The current pamphlets available are often text heavy, complex, and are dedicated to single subjects. New fish owners leave with several pamplets they are unlikely to read, an unclear memory of instructions, and a high chance that they will give up on purchasing fish, or a chance that they will ignore instructions and purchase fish to put into unhealthy environments.
Solution I have created one infographical pamphlet covering all the basics of fish care. It is mostly illustration based so that the information is easy to ingest and quick to read. This aims to smooth the transition from fish admirer to fish owner, allowing potential owners to leave the petshop with all the information they need to be a great fish keeper. The limited text and engaging illustrations will also make the pamphlet readable by children, as fish are often a parent’s first choice of pet due to their image as easy and cheap.
Water Testing I also created a page dedicated to testing water and explaining the results, based on the API test kit. I decided, however, to seperate the page and make it it's own handout, as when it was included in the basic booklet the amount of information was overwhelming the test users. Additionally, many beginner fish owners get their water tested by the pet shop at first, to save them the hassle and cost of buying an expensive testing kit.
Early Drafts The infographic went through several testing stages, where I presented it to classmates and watched how they interpreted the instructions. I initially presented sketches, and later refined versions of the artwork, before finalising it in the format it is now.