Zoe Clements

Globally, insect species are declining; they make up 70% of all species on Earth, yet they get little representation. Compared to vertebrates, invertebrates get minimal funding and conservation focus due to a lack of knowledge and negative public perceptions.  Increasing knowledge and positive interactions surrounding insects is a gateway to reducing fear and increasing positive associations, encouraging engagement with conservation-related activities. This, combined with citizen science being an increasingly important tool for collecting data and expanding ecological knowledge through communities, provides an opportunity to create a design solution that brings awareness to these issues and sparks larger community engagement.

This project investigates how photographic guides about insects in local areas can improve awareness and public perceptions of overlooked species through macro photography and publication design. Focusing on documenting my local area, Hidden World uses a photo book to expose the details and overlooked areas in environments, inviting families, young people and wider communities to look closer and spend time engaging with their natural world.