Icon Illustration
COP28 Ocean Pavilion Icons
Designing custom icons to engage a global audience
THE STORY
At the United Nations climate change conference in Dubai (COP28), WHOI spearheaded efforts to construct an “ocean pavilion.” This carefully designed space within the COP “Blue Zone'' served as a hub for ocean experts. The Ocean Pavilion featured meeting rooms, event venues, and networking spaces.
MY ROLE
I illustrated a set of custom icons which were paired with various ocean facts, presenting key scientific insights to a global audience. Each icon visualizes a core concept—ranging from carbon storage and marine biodiversity to sea level rise, ocean innovation, and the blue economy. The factoids adorned the walls as visitors passed through the Ocean Pavilion.
The icons distill complex scientific themes into clear, intuitive visuals. Each icon was crafted to balance scientific credibility with public accessibility, helping to translate technical concepts into easily understood graphics. The set follows a unified, scalable system: geometric forms, uniform stroke weight, and circular framing ensure visual consistency.
IMPACT
The Ocean Pavilion was widely regarded as one of the most successful at COP28, attracting nearly 15,000 in-person visitors and reaching a global audience of over half a million via social media. The icon set helped shape the Pavilion’s visual identity—making complex ocean-climate issues more accessible and memorable. By translating scientific priorities into a clear visual language, the design helped reinforce the Pavilion’s goals: elevating ocean issues in climate negotiations, fostering partnerships, and raising global awareness.
