Case Study: Infographics for Standard Biocarbon
THE ASK
Design graphic communications tools including custom infographics, presentation slide decks, video graphics, and a new website to aid Maine-based green energy startup, Standard Biocarbon in sharing their mission with investors and the local community.
BACKGROUND
Standard Biocarbon took the lead in a new green industry – biochar – which is a sustainable, scalable, and carbon negative charcoal substance that is revolutionizing agriculture. And they did it in rural Maine, where they moved into a defunct paper mill to install their technology and employ a local team. They needed communications tools to pitch their idea to investors worldwide, and establish credibility in the local community.
DELIVERABLES
It was clear that Standard Biocarbon needed an updated website, so my content partner, MJ Viederman and I dove headlong into building a new site in Squarespace. We simultaneously proposed a full rebrand, but after some initial exploration the client felt the logo they had developed to-date was serving its purpose. We shifted our focus to building upon what they had by expanding the existing color palette, typography system, and overall voice and art direction for the brand.
Standard Biocarbon also needed professional presentation slide decks and videos to use when pitching their ideas, backstory, and financial data to investors. I was tasked with creating original infographics and custom imagery for these elements, as well as designing the slide decks themselves.
INFOGRAPHICS (OR, DESIGNING DATA)
My approach to bringing Standard Biocarbon’s data to life was three-fold. First and foremost, the information had to be there while simultaneously being reduced to the most minimal form in terms of word count for clarity. Second, we wanted to tie in the brand elements which in this case included a monochromatic palette of green with enough contrast between each shade to keep things legible. Finally, we wanted to subtle (and at times not-so-subtly) tie in themes of Maine forestry, the energy cycle, and the biochar product. We were also able to recoup one of the pine tree marks I developed during logo exploration.
The infographics and slide layouts featured custom icon illustration, diagrams, charts, and photoshop mockups of Standard Biocarbon branded items including a bag of biochar and 18-wheeler truck. Maps displaying forest coverage for the USA and New England regions highlighted Standard Biocarbon’s ideal physical location for the industry.
VIDEO
Several videos were developed in partnership with project manager and content creator, MJ Veiderman and videographer Abe Turcotte. I provided support graphics, illustration, and website implementation. Select clips can be seen below. You can also check out this project in my branding portfolio.