Visualizing bird migration: highlighting the relationship between migratory birds and the Toronto region through graphic design practice

Bird migration phenomenon takes place many thousands of meters above the ground and between distant locales and therefore remains largely invisible to human observers. The goal of this thesis project is to bring migration into focus by using environmental graphic design installations that highlight Toronto's role as a stopover site for migratory birds and activating a site on the city's waterfront. The final design artifact is composed of three site-specific elements. The first is a wall-mounted graphic work that functions like a sundial to reveal the cyclical nature of seasonal migration. The second is a boardwalk installation that measures the distances travelled by birds migrating from Central and South America to Toronto. The final component is a map of the primary avian stopover sites in Toronto (hot spots), which encourages visitors to explore the city's natural habitats.

This thesis offers examples of how graphic design can go beyond traditional awareness campaign tactics to call attention to natural processes in the environment in order to create meaningful connections between citizens and the natural world. Therefore the role of design in facilitating human connection to natural cycles is of paramount importance.