Bloom Energy
Bloom Energy creates fuel cells that provide businesses energy resiliency when the aging power grid is no longer reliable. Bloom enlisted my agency, Message Lab, to highlight their clean energy alternative and boost good will during a time the company was under criticism for not being “green” enough. Through five articles, ranging from the impact of PG&E public safety power shutoffs on local businesses, to FAQs and an interactive power outage map, the conversation around Bloom shifted to the importance of alternative energy and resiliency from our dated infrastructure.
As lead designer for the project, I was responsible for all photography and illustrative assets. I created four custom illustrations, including animating two, for the FAQ article. These required me to not only reduce complex issues to simplified animations but to set the art direction and illustrative style. I was heavily involved with all photography: selection, editing, placement and was even on-site to art direct our photo shoot at Heath Ceramics.
Editorial Illustrations
What causes power outages?
What’s the different between a blackout and brownout?
How does a microgrid work?
How do fires start from power lines?
Power outage map
Our in-house journalists were able to unearth a gold mine of data, listing every power outage in the CA for the past two years. While development did most of the heavy lifting to bring the data to life, the design team created the interface and user experience. While the map colorway was modified to appease the client, the ease of use remains. The map is a unique tool that gives real insight into the growing crisis around our power grid.
