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Color is a tool the earth uses to communicate life, death, and growth. By giving colors a deeper story to connect with, Pantone and Tealeaves opened the door for our class to see the earth as a breathing being rather than a disposable surrounding.
–Clare Witt, ASU Student
Clinical Associate Professor Michelle Fehler and Adelheid Fischer’s unique course takes students around the world with hands-on experiences. Built as a catalyst for inspiration, the course leads Master of Visual Communication Design program (MVCD) graduate students at Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts toward nature-positive paths.
This semester, the course used the Color of Biodiversity as a lens for their explorations into design and biodiversity.
Color of Biodiversity
In support of the UN the Color of Biodiversity was created by global color authority, Pantone, in collaboration with TEALEAVES. Inspired by the world’s first pigment, The Color of Biodiversity is a tool to spark curiosity and promote the protection of biodiversity through innovative solutions.
How it Happened
The ASU students were introduced to the color and its concept, taking it on their trip to Hawaii where they explored biomimicry concepts through regenerative design and systems thinking activities. From hiking across lava fields and Kīpuka and snorkeling on coral reefs, they explored native flora to learn how to braid tea leaves. This journey has led students to work with a local research group, the MEGA Lab, consisting of indigenous Hawaiian researchers on a project revolving around the importance of coral reefs for biodiversity and life on the planet. After the students translated their experience and research from the trip into visual communication campaigns that introduce viewers to what coral reefs are. Showcasing the impact our daily actions have on coral reefs and highlighting indigenous stories from which we can learn to be good stewards.
Exploring the connections between nature and our work has led us all to make projects related to coral reefs. Although this color is difficult to find every day, a few species of coral sporting the Color of Biodiversity were spotted in Hawaii for us to draw inspiration from!
–Sarah Price, ASU Student
The Professors Leading the Course
We connected with Michelle Fehler on our shared values and mutual interest in preserving biodiversity through the lens of design. Being a Clinical Associate Professor, Biomimicry Professional, and Visual Communication Designer at ASU’s Design School, Fehler connects nature’s strategies to find innovative and sustainable solutions through nature. She also teaches various multi-disciplinary design studios and lectures as part of The Design school, as well as the capstone practicum course for the Master’s Biomimicry Program at Arizona State University. Adelheid Fischer is a literary nonfiction writer who focuses on natural history, ecology and the intersections of nature and culture. She is also the former Assistant Director to the Biomimicry Center at ASU.
The Color, Activated
This class serves as an ideal example of how Color of Biodiversity can be used to combat the climate crisis as a medium for inspiration and an amplifying tool for education. At the end of the semester, the students created a studio exhibition entitled Dive In, that showcased their culminating projects.
Explore the incredible spotlight on the mythology, culture, and importance of coral reefs below:
Dive In: Visuals by Sarah Witt
UN Sustainable Development Goals Addressed
Continue your Journey With Us
To stay updated on Color of Biodiversity activations connect with us on LinkedIn.
Explore more about Michelle Fehler’s work and philosophy here.
