Discovery Green

Client:

Discovery Green

Role:

Illustrator

Service:

Digital Out of Home (DOOH)

Year:

2024

Overview

The Bayou at y.our Doorstep is a service‑learning graphic design project at the University of Houston–Downtown that integrates environmental education into an introductory design course. Students used visual communication to explore, interpret, and advocate for the ecological and cultural importance of Houston’s bayous. Their work culminated in a public Earth Day exhibition aimed at raising awareness about pollution and sustainability

Problem

Houston's bayous are confronted with considerable environmental challenges, particularly pollution stemming from single-use plastics. Furthermore, many residents display a lack of awareness regarding the bayous' ecological significance. Concurrently, design students frequently engage in hypothetical assignments that fail to connect with genuine community concerns.

The core problem:

Environmental degradation + public disconnect
Educational need for meaningful, real‑world design engagement

Solution

The project used design as the central method to address both the environmental and educational problems.

Students:

Conducted field research at the bayous
Interviewed community members
Translated environmental issues into compelling visual narratives
Created illustrations that communicate the beauty, vulnerability, and importance of the bayou system
Exhibited their work publicly at Earth Day Houston

Design becomes the solution by turning environmental data and community stories into accessible, emotional, and persuasive visual messages.

Result

The outcomes reflect the power of design to create real impact:

Educational Results

Students gained hands‑on experience applying design to real environmental issues.
They developed stronger visual storytelling, research, and communication skills.
They saw how design can influence public understanding and behavior.

Community & Environmental Results

The Earth Day exhibition reached 31,000+ people, amplifying awareness of bayou conservation.
UHD’s sustainability team collected 3,800 pounds of waste, with less than 9% going to landfill.
The project contributed to a citywide effort toward a waste‑free event.

Academic Results

The project was presented at the Design Incubation Colloquium 11.2, demonstrating its value as a model for integrating environmental education into design curricula.

Articles:
https://www.discoverygreen.com/spotlight/green-mountain-energy-earth-day-2024/

https://designincubation.com/publications/abstracts/the-bayou-at-y-our-doorstep-integrating-environmental-education-in-graphic-design/

https://www.uhd.edu/news/2024/04-april/earth-day-houston-round-up-in-photos.aspx

Client Feedback

This case study demonstrates the power of integrating environmental education into design curricula, engaging students in creating relevant real-world solutions through service-learning and empowering community members alongside the students’ learning experience. This design research is presented at Design Incubation Colloquium 11.2: Annual CAA Conference 2025 (Hybrid) on Friday, February 14, 2025.