Metroparks Toledo This or that video
Metroparks Toledo
“This or That” Native vs. Invasive Plant Illustrations
This illustration series was created to support a “This or That” educational video for Metroparks Toledo, helping audiences make more informed landscaping choices by comparing native and invasive plant species.
Developed in collaboration with Running Wild Media, the goal was to present ecological information in a clear, engaging, and visually approachable format.
Project Overview
The project focused on creating a set of paired illustrations—each highlighting a native plant alongside a commonly used invasive alternative.
The concept, “Thinking about landscaping?”, guided the visual direction, encouraging viewers to consider how their plant choices impact local ecosystems.
Each pairing was designed to be easily digestible while still visually appealing and informative.
Design Approach:
The illustration style was designed to be clean, approachable, and easily readable within a video format.
Each plant was illustrated with enough detail to be recognizable, while maintaining a cohesive and simplified style across all pairings. Composition and layout were structured to clearly communicate the “this vs. that” concept—allowing viewers to quickly understand the comparison.
The featured plant pairings include:
Dense blazing star (native) vs. purple loosestrife
Gray dogwood (native) vs. common buckthorn
Ninebark (native) vs. burning bush
Chokecherry (native) vs. Callery pear
By presenting these side-by-side, the illustrations help reinforce the environmental benefits of choosing native species.
Process
All plants were digitally illustrated and prepared for motion integration. The designs were created with clarity and scalability in mind, allowing them to function effectively across video and potential future educational materials.
services:
Custom plant illustrations (native and invasive species)
Visual system for comparison-based storytelling
Illustration assets for video integration
Educational campaign support
Results / Impact
The final illustration set:
Simplifies complex ecological concepts into clear visual comparisons
Supports public education around sustainable landscaping choices
Enhances engagement within a short-form video format
Aligns with Metroparks Toledo’s environmental mission
Provides reusable assets for future campaigns and outreach
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