Project Overview

Information design is concerned with making complex information easier to understand and use. It is a rapidly growing discipline that draws on typography, graphic design, applied linguistics, applied psychology, applied ergonomics, computing and other fields. It emerged as a response to people’s need to understand and use things like forms, legal documents, computer interfaces and technical information. Information designers responding to these needs have achieved major economic and social improvements in information use.

What is Wagyu?

A Japanese beef cattle breed –derived from native Asian cattle. ‘WAGYU’ refers to all Japanese beef cattle. ‘Wa’ means Japanese and ‘gyu’ means cow. Wagyu is not only the most expensive beef in the world but it is full of rich nutrients and its marbling is considered very healthy. This simple infographic has been designed to explain what makes wagyu healthy yet expensive while also comparing it with normal beef.

During research I observed that most people around me had limited information about wagyu. The idea behind designing this New York Times article and infographic was to create engaging content that could be consumed by a wider audience. By adopting the storytelling approach, I share the most interesting and important details about wagyu with an infographic as the backbone of my story.

Client and Audience

The client is “The New York Times,” an American newspaper based in New York City with worldwide influence and readership. The target audience for this article and infographic are food enthusiasts, beef lovers, chefs, healthy eaters and information seekers who appreciate simple and educational content.

Design goals/objectives

TThe goal was to highlight the most powerful statistics about wagyu, the breeding process for wagyu cattle and the nutrients they are fed between 0-30 months. The design also needed to highlight how this process ensures the beef is rendered healthy for consumption and the overall health benefits.

Design layout and development

The design layout and its development are inspired by the circle of life. The typefaces used are Trade Gothic LT Std for headline, Utopia Std for subhead, quotes and the body typeface. These typefaces aligned well with the subject matter with a mix of serif and sanserif. The color palette is green for wagyu beef, brown for normal beef and dark wheat, taking into consideration that the topic is related to life, food and nutrition.

Print production

4 colour Digital Tabloid printing on 55gsm improved paper.

Wagyu Process book