At Simit Bhagat Studios, we partnered with the French Development Agency (AFD) and AirParif France to develop a 13-page illustrated story about air pollution in Sri Lanka. With growing urban populations and industrial expansion, air pollution caused by vehicle emissions, waste burning, and industrial practices has become a serious health concern. Our mission? To bring this invisible problem to life and offer a vision for a cleaner future.
Visualising the Impact: An Illustrated Story About Air Pollution
Air is invisible, but its impact can be felt, especially when it’s polluted. In this illustrated story about air pollution, we showed how smog and haze filled the streets of Colombo, affecting the lives of the city’s residents. We used visual cues like characters coughing and covering their faces to represent the struggle against this unseen threat.
As the narrative progressed, the polluted air gave way to cleaner skies. The once-grey city became vibrant, and people began to breathe easily again. The cover itself used a gradient from dark blue to white, symbolising the transformation from polluted skies to fresh, clean air.
Collaboration Through Visual Storytelling: France and Sri Lanka Unite
This illustrated story about air pollution wasn’t just about the environmental issue; rather, it also celebrated collaboration. We incorporated subtle nods to both France and Sri Lanka throughout the illustrations.
For instance, characters sported colours from both national flags. Additionally, one key illustration showed the logos of the Sri Lankan Central Environmental Authority, NBRO, and AirParif France fitting together like puzzle pieces. This symbolised the teamwork required to address this crisis.
Crafting the Message: A Collaborative Approach to Storytelling
Throughout the project, we worked closely with AFD to refine the message. With the creative freedom we received, we explored new visual ideas. AFD’s feedback ensured the illustrations aligned with their vision. Ultimately, we created a powerful illustrated story about air pollution that made an invisible problem visible.
At Simit Bhagat Studios, we specialise in creating illustrated stories about air pollution, sustainability, and other social impact issues. If you need to tell a story, we’ll help you craft a visual narrative that resonates and drives change.
