Crafted Softenings: Modelmaker's Crusade to Restore and Protect Coral Reefs through Innovative Plush Toys.
Student's Fictional Environmental Campaign Raises Awareness for Coral Reef Conservation
A final-year Modelmaking student at Arts University Bournemouth, Matisse, has brought her environmental campaign "Reef Rescue" for Ocean Generation to life. The creative awareness project, focused on coral reef conservation, was born from a conversation in a ceramics class that led to a contact at Ocean Generation interested in collaboration.
Matisse designed a fictional campaign that features three elements: collectible sea creature figures ("plushies"), custom packaging, and advertisements with these ocean critters that direct attention to Ocean Generation’s conservation mission. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness and financial support for protecting marine ecosystems and rebuilding coral reefs.
The artwork for the packaging was sent to industrial printers, and the pages were laser cut and folded by hand. The collectible figures are designed to be instantly recognisable, bright, flamboyant, and full of personality to spark curiosity. Each figure is meticulously crafted to be a playful and colorful representation of the reef's vibrant inhabitants.
The packaging for the collectibles is designed as a giant life jacket, tying into the campaign name, Reef Rescue. Matisse took photos of the collectible sea creature figures at the beach for the campaign advertisements. She used a proper camera for the first time to capture these images.
Matisse provided updates to Gemma Connell, a contact at Ocean Generation, throughout the project. Gemma Connell offered feedback and useful links to Matisse during the project. It's important to note that Ocean Generation does not sell or distribute the collectible critters, and the Reef Rescue campaign is not an official initiative by the charity.
Matisse used various techniques such as hand sewing, needle felting, and crochet to create the collectible characters. She also used Adobe Photoshop to clean up the photos, add a slogan, the Ocean Generation logo, and additional information. The campaign consists of three parts: collectible sea creature figures, packaging, and advertisements. The packaging features the story behind the campaign and links to Ocean Generation's website.
The Great Barrier Reef has lost 29% of shallow water corals in 2016 due to mass bleaching events. This campaign reflects Matisse’s personal connection to the Great Barrier Reef and motivation to creatively engage others amid its alarming decline due to climate change. It highlights how individual creative efforts can support broader environmental causes through collaboration and storytelling.
Matisse can be contacted via Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Mail. She mocked up how the ads would look on real-world billboards and bus stops as part of the campaign. The Reef Rescue campaign is a fictional project created for educational purposes.
In conclusion, Matisse's Reef Rescue campaign is a testament to the power of creativity in raising awareness for important environmental causes. By combining art, education, and fundraising, she has created a unique and engaging way to support the protection of marine ecosystems and the rebuilding of coral reefs.
- Matisse's final-year project, "Reef Rescue," focusing on coral reef conservation, is a creative awareness campaign for Ocean Generation.
- The Reef Rescue campaign consists of three elements: collectible sea creature figures, custom packaging, and advertisements aiming to raise awareness and financial support for marine ecosystems.
- The collectible sea creature figures, designed to resemble vibrant reef inhabitants, are meticulously crafted and instantly recognizable.
- Matisse used various techniques like hand sewing, needle felting, crochet, and Adobe Photoshop to create the collectible characters and package designs.
- The packaging for the collectibles is designed as a giant life jacket, symbolizing the campaign's name, Reef Rescue.
- Matisse reached out to Ocean Generation for collaboration, and her contact, Gemma Connell, offered feedback and helpful resources throughout the project.
- This fictional campaign, representing Matisse's personal connection to the Great Barrier Reef, highlights the potential impact of individual creative efforts in supporting broader environmental causes.
