The Heart of New Jersey

My Graphic Design BFA thesis. Being from southern New Jersey, I wanted to focus my project on what was a big part of the culture I grew up in, and something that not many people outside of the area know about. The Pinelands National Reserve is around 1 million acres, making up almost 20% of New Jersey's land area, and holds 17 trillion gallons of fresh water underneath its surface, yet New Jersey is still perceived as only what can be seen from the Turnpike. I wanted to raise awareness of this area because I know it needs help if it's going to survive the modern world. To do this, I designed a book about what the Pinelands is, the history, the habitats, plants & animals, the threats the ecosystem faces, and how to protect it. I've created watercolor illustrations of the important plants and animals, and taken photographs to offer a better understanding of the environment. My text is derived from research, as well as interviews I conducted with professionals in the field. The digital and print versions of the book are below, along with the Instagram account to further spread the word, posters, postcards, and stickers I created for sale and as additional campaign-like items. Instagram: @theheartofnj