TRIUMF Radiation Environments Infographic
Designing an infographic for TRIUMF, Canada's Particle Accelerator Centre, which received the prestigious In-House Design Award from RGD, Canada's largest professional association for graphic design.
TRIUMF’s Proton and Neutron Irradiation Facilities (PIF-NIF) conduct vital research on radiation environments, enabling advancements in aerospace, electronics, and materials science. My role was to design an infographic that distilled this complex subject into a visual narrative, making the research accessible, engaging, and memorable.
I worked with Diana Castaneda and Camille Belanger-Champagne to create a visually engaging and easy-to-understand information graphic to be displayed along the Public Tour routes at TRIUMF, as well as for use in all PIF & NIF printed, digital, and online collateral for business communications.
01
Overview
02
The Challenge
How do you make technical radiation research understandable and captivating?
Key challenges included:
Simplification
Simplifying dense, technical content for a non-expert audience while retaining scientific integrity.
Applications
Highlighting the unique applications and global relevance of TRIUMF's PIF-NIF research.
Design
Structuring the design to balance scientific depth with visual appeal, typography and graphic design.
The solution needed to seamlessly combine the technical expertise of the PIF-NIF team with my design skills.
While I was new to this field, I embraced the opportunity to learn from Diana and Camille, whose guidance was invaluable. Together, we worked to distill complex scientific concepts into an engaging format that could resonate with a broader audience.
I employed a collaborative and iterative process to bring the infographic to life:
Research & Discovery:
Worked closely with TRIUMF’s researchers to understand the complexities of PIF-NIF research, identifying the most impactful insights and applications. Spent time learning about radiation levels and how they impact different environments from deep space to Earth's ground.
Iterative Prototyping:
Sought feedback from Diana and Camille weekly for two months to ensure scientific accuracy, alignment with their communication goals, and aesthetic choices for TRIUMF's brand.
Design Execution:
Leveraged simple pencil, pen and paper tools first, and then switched to Adobe Illustrator to create a clean and vibrant design, incorporating a modular layout for clarity and adaptability.
Visual Storytelling:
Structured the content around key environments — Deep space, Geosynchronous orbit, Low Earth orbit, Airplane altitudes, and Ground level radiation. Used illustrations and concise text to clarify technical concepts.
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My Approach
The infographic succeeded as a versatile communication tool:
Enhanced Understanding:
Simplified PIF-NIF research for a wider audience, bridging the gap between science and industry.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Served as a valuable asset in presentations, funding proposals, and outreach initiatives, generating interest in TRIUMF’s facilities.
Broad Reach:
Increased awareness of how PIF-NIF supports advancements in aerospace, electronics, and more.
The final mockups of the infographic showcased a polished, cohesive design that effectively communicated the key messages of the PIF & NIF department. The vertical radiation bar on the left provided a clear and scientific presentation of radiation levels, while the layered illustrations added depth and visual interest. Text elements were thoughtfully integrated into the design, ensuring readability and enhancing the overall narrative.
These high-fidelity mockups were created in Adobe Illustrator, blending detailed graphics with accurate scientific information to create an engaging and informative infographic.
04
Results
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Impact
"Working with Janani has been a joy. Her work ethics, amazing talent, and constant kindness, never cease to impress us. Her infographic for TRIUMF’s Proton and Neutron Irradiation Facilities, not only fulfilled our expectations, but also considerably raised the bar for visual standards along the route of our Public Tour."
Research Impact:
The TRIUMF Infographic effectively showcased the significance of PIF-NIF research, positioning TRIUMF as a leader in radiation testing and simulation. By making complex science accessible, the infographic supported TRIUMF’s mission to inspire collaboration and innovation across industries and disciplines.
Award for Excellence:
Received the In-House Design Award from the RGD - Association of Registered Graphic Designers.
Positive Feedback:
The TRIUMF team was incredibly impressed with my work. Diana Castaneda, the Senior Brand Designer and Art Director at TRIUMF also provided a wonderful testimonial which you can read above or on my about page.
Scalability:
In 2022, a team of animators worked on creating a bilingual interactive version of the infographic. You can check it out here: https://radenv.triumf.ca/
Want to learn more?
Connect with me on LinkedIn or email me at jananiramesh75@gmail.com