The overall color scheme of the infographics are heavily based on the colors of the nature reserve – namely greens, blues and browns.
I chose to use anthropomorphic animals as loose figurative representations of the demographics of the nature reserve (photographers, tourists, family and elderly). I drew inspiration from the educational worksheets from NPark’s website – they had alot of animal-coloring worksheets! On the side, I had also done some research on artists who do anthropomorphic animal art.
After my first trip, I tried to work out my layout before I went to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve again (since the return trip would take place on the Saturday before the presentation(Monday)).
I used elements found throughout the reserve to create the frames for the backgrounds – such as patterns from the Visitor’s Centre tapestry, shadows of leaves and pathways.
Each piece features a trivia. I’ve always loved trivia section of learning sites and it’s something I find unique to educational materials. I took note of trivia boards throughout the reserve and decided to incorporate that as a recurring element for the infographics.
The information I’ve collected and selected are split into 4 sections: Overview, Timeline & Activities, Amenities & Facilities and Learning Resources.
Concept behind the Final Designs
►Mudskipper Slide
I chose the Mudskipper to represent the overview as the Mudskipper was the mascot and face of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
In this piece, I’ve also selected information that would convey Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve as the only wetland reserve in Singapore (out of 2!) that is focused on education. It is also a pioneer in many areas in regards to wildlife education – such as being the first to introduce wireless learning in this region.
The layout’s frame is derived from patterns that you can find at the Visitor’s Centre office – one of the first buildings you see when you enter Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve. I based it off the flower images on a piece of tapestry you can inside the Visitor’s Centre:
The slide aims to introduce Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve as the largest tract of mangrove forest, Singapore’s first ASEAN heritage park and an internationally recognized migratory site for birds. It also identifies the demographics of the nature reserve.
I started off with an easy trivia as well to ease the viewer into the graphics.
► Grey Heron Slide
The second slide shows a grey heron. As there are many migratory bird species in Sungei Buloh, I wanted to show one of them representing the foreigner as a part of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve’s demographics.
In this slide, I wanted to introduce Sungei Buloh’s educational activities and how they are linked to the nature reserve’s unique timeline.
Timing is everything! Coming on different days, weather and timing affects what you see, hear and even smell. The timeline is the heartbeat of the events happening at Sungei Buloh – without people monitoring the timeline, it would be hard to organize activities that would optimize the time of visitors.
The slide’s frame is based on leaves:
It was initially more accurate to the space between leaves, but leaving a large amount of negative space pulls the eye away from the text, so I’ve made the frame alot more packed by taking the general shape of the leave instead.
► Otter Slide
The otter slide conveys the amenities and facilities of the nature reserve. I also used the otter and a baby otter to convey a sense of community – how the place is built for education, groups and family.
The individual sections are also represented by icons that are created from actual structures – the viewing pod icon is based on the shell-like shape of the pods at Sungei Buloh.
The background patterns are based on the stone path of the Information Center that carries extensive information and a detailed map of the entire reserve:
► Crocodile Slide
The crocodile slide shows the different types of online and on-site resources that the nature reserve provides and the steps they take in order to provide visitors and nature enthusiasts with a wealth of information.
Resources such as the e-newsletter includes articles on events such as Bird Migratory day, Earth Day and also carries periodical fish/habitat field surveys. There are also educational worksheets for kids – such as coloring worksheets and fact sheets.
The background patterns are based on shadows of leaves on roads:
My Take
After interviewing the people on-site, I found out that people wished that the nature reserve was better publicized.
In my own opinion, I do feel that the nature reserve is a little confused as to what demographic they are trying to get.
One interviewer actually voiced his relief that there are few kids around so that animals would not be scared away.
Due to this, I think Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve ends up being more of an educational site for adults, despite how they are trying to target children and schools sending down buses of kids to learn. People who generally end up coming back multiple times are the older crowd.
Process behind the Final Designs(Images)
Sketches:
Extracting patterns/marks to use as frames and backgrounds:
Work in progress:
Initial design turned out looking alot like a horror night at Sungei Buloh instead (;u;)
Feedback
Lecturer (Joy):
• Find a main focus
• Pick out ways they tried to be educational
• Pick out recurring motifs
• Perhaps can try using the trivia aspect as a potential element for zine? (but not make it bulk of the upcoming zine)
Peers:
Thank you so much for the feedback! :’)
Personal Takeaways
Struggles: I struggled to make the color palette work in the beginning as I didn’t want the colors to end up like a tacky nature pamphlet. I tried unconventional colors that went outside of Sungei Buloh’s colors, but they just didn’t work as well. In the end, I wound up looking at designs based on citrus colors and fashion in hopes of making the visuals work.
Reflections: It was a trying, but very educational experience. Everyone in class had a different interpretation and outcome of their choice of location and it was really cool!
I do hope to improve on keeping to my time during my presentation so that I would be able to show more research that I had done. I had alot more material that I didn’t get to show – videos, interviews, photos and some of the nature reserve’s cool online resources.
Introduction to Project 2: Locale (Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve)
I’m incredibly excited and terrified to work on Project 2! I’m worried that my location and research wouldn’t translate to a fun zine, but yet at the same time I’m really hyped about getting to finally work on something outside school and home!
Initially, I picked Little Guilin and did some secondary research on the area but it was alot about rocks, rocks and more rocks. It was a quarry in the past but the actual area of Little Guilin is apparently quite small (I would have loved to do the other abandoned quarries as well if the Little Guilin area included Gammon, Seng Chew, Lian Hup and Poh Hin!). It’s not the only quarry there and it seems that the only big thing it has going for it is how it looks like a little piece of Guilin in China. There are areas that are taped off from the public due to landslides as well in the more recent years, so the trail is short as well. I talked to my friends and my family about the area as well, since they know people living in Bukit Batok and Guilin View, and decided to change my location. It’s a pity since I thought the place was also really cool since it was like a little escape to China but in Bukit Batok heartland, less popular than places like Bukit Batok Nature Reserve.
But that aside, I changed my pick of location to Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve during recess week so that I could change to work on living subjects! I can’t remember if I’ve gone there as a kid, but since I LOVED science, animals and nature trails, I was so much more excited about this than when I was working on Little Guilin.
Quick Jump (Content Section)
The post is really long! Press Ctrl+F (Windows) or Cmd+F (Mac) to do a quick jump to the different sections:
1) First Impressions – SBWR1
2) Secondary Research – SBWR2
3) Primary Research Day 1 – SBWR3
4) Primary Research Day 2 – SBWR4
5) Highlights & Snapshots (Photos) – SBWR4.1
6) Interviews, Observation Research & Surveys – SBWR4.2
7) References – SBWR5
First Impressions (SBWR1)
The first time I went to Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, I expected lots of mud and crocodiles but I think I left having quite a different impression of the place now, and am learning a whole bunch more!
I’ve never taken a bus in Kranji and the bus stop is an absolute nightmare.
“Why are there 3 sections at 1 bus stop?”
“Does 925 exist or is it a myth.”
“No uncle I’m not here to go to Malaysia.”
“Total ride is 12 stops. Cool.”
“Got 3 stops left, I’ll stop at the innermost one and walk in.” “Wow beautiful flyover sia.”
“There’s only a car path.” “How to walk.”
“Will I get run over first or walk to death.”
“Many bikes that I can’t cycle.”
“The two other bus stops will forever remain a mystery.”
Secondary Research (SBWR2)
So why is Sungei Buloh worth it? I did my secondary research first:
1) What exactly is Sungei Buloh? • As a mangrove and mudflat, it’s unique to countries that sit smack near/on the Equator like Singapore.
• It is one of the only 2 mangrove/mudflat in Singapore, other than Pasir Ris Park. Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve places an emphasis on preserving and educating. Pasir Ris Park places emphasis on recreational and family activities. (different amenities e.g. BBQ)
• Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve is also recognized as an international migratory site for birds.
2) Unique Timeline & Activities
• Birdwatching (Between September to March)
• …to find out more on my primary research!
3) Friendly Educational Amenities & Facilities
• Viewing Pods
• Visitor Centre
• Boardwalks (Mangrove, Coastal, etc)
• Junior Adventure Trail
• Mid Canopy Walk
• Public Toilets (Placed in places who want to have visitors; or for kids actually)
• Information Boards
4) Organized Activities & Resources • Brochures
• Official Nparks website
• Live Camera on Nparks site to watch animals (e.g. Otters, Grey Heron, Civet Cat and more)
• E-newsletters
• Sungei Buloh Activity Worksheets (for Primary/Secondary school students)
• Organized Walks
• Bird-viewing sessions by Singapore Bird Group
Organized Walks by Nparks: (8 activities span of 1 month, all weekends only)
• What’s in my sky? (Guided walk for native birds and migratory birds) (31 Mar, 17 Mar)
• What’s in my mud? (Guided walk featuring our lesser known creatures of the mudflats) (24 Mar, 7 Apr)
• What’s in my water? (Guided walk along water edges to learn about water life) (14 Apr)
• Paint Along Session (Learning different drawing techniques at Sungei Buloh) (25 Mar)
• Fish and prawn harvesting demonstration (24 Mar)
Guided walk (In Mandarin) (24 Mar)
Note: Private guides are also available for hire. Emails for guides are provided on NParks website.
• 3.15PM: Entered the nature reserve. It smells slightly damp but there’s alot of fresh air in the open area.
I’ve met the cutest mascot in all of mascot history.
I’ve been waiting all day for something to come out but I only hear aliens.
• 3.35PM: Visited the air-conditioned Visitor’s Centre and also a small, air-conditioned booth beside the Visitor’s Centre that had preserved animals in jars and a staff. The Visitor’s Centre is not tended. Both facilities were in pristine condition!
• 3.50PM: Left for Coastal Trail. • 4.49PM: Smells really damp, nutty and like mushrooms during my walk over the Mid Canopy Walk. The bridge is very jiggly but really strong.
•5.15PM: Walked around 1.5km so far, back and forth the Mid-Canopy walk and the start of the Coastal Trail to get photos.
At this point, I can’t hear much anymore because my ears are clogged from the hike. I started recording some videos instead.
I saw some gorgeous herons flying over the waters at Coastal Trail but they ducked behind some trees and I couldn’t get a photo. 🙁
5 gorgeous plants and 1 creepy one that I don’t want to be around for too long.
• 5.30PM: Started drizzling so I started turning back towards the entrance. Surprisingly, not much rain got onto me because of the tall trees arching over the path.
• 6.15PM: Saw a wild boar family of 2-3 having dinner near the entrance/bus-stop of Sungei Buloh. What a great way to end the hike!
I’m actually surprised I saw some boars and birds! I wasn’t expecting much at all since I’ve been to a couple of other nature parks/reserves in Japan and Malaysia – animals hide away during rainy weather. Thank you, animal friends. 🙂
Since I didn’t cover much ground on the first day and didn’t get my interviews and polls yet, I decided to go for a second day on a Saturday – so that I can sign myself up for one of these weekend walks and pull a friend from WKW along to get healthy together.
Thankfully, I managed to score myself a spot for the walk! (Registration was full and closed on the 10th.)
I made a phonecall immediately to ask for permission for an interview but apparently the guided walks are run by volunteers! I couldn’t get their number to ask for permission since due to privacy issues, and the staff advised that I asked on the day itself.
Onward to my 2nd trip to Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve! This time, I brought a friend along and we took 925 directly from Choa Chu Kang at around 7.20AM.
What better way to spend a nice Saturday morning than trekking with a friend? 😀
• 8.00AM: Entered the nature reserve from the New Visitor’s Centre and had a quick breakfast with friend.
• 8.30AM: Slow walk to the meeting location. Took photos, talked to people and encountered many elderly from North West Brisk Walking Club.
So many aunties and uncles; I felt like a salmon swimming upstream. (- ω -、)
If you’re looking for crazy big bugs, there’s a spider the size of your hand right here in Sungei Buloh. It’s called the Golden Orb Spider and they make their webs really low. I’m glad I’m born short.
• 9.30AM: Started ‘What’s in my sky’ bird-watching walk with my group. Our guide is Mr. Azmi Mohamed, a volunteer. (Participant Observation)
Thank you for the wonderful insight, Mr. Azmi! 🙂
• 10.30AM/11.00AM: Conducted interviews with my guide and guided walk participants. Also observed demographics and activities along the way as Saturday, 10.30AM is the peak period for visitors- according to my guide.
The return of the danger croc signs.
Also, I do notice some clear differences in sights and sounds at different points of day/year:
-Best time for watching birds is at 7.30AM (Info from Mr. Azmi)
-Frogs are most frequent before/after rain; can hear them at the pond near the New Visitation Centre
-Crocodiles are most visible/frequent during low tide. They are still there at high tide but are less visible. Look twice at a piece of driftwood – it might be a croc!
• 1.00PM: Interviews with visitors, exploring the rest of the nature reserve and water breaks
• 3.00PM: Left the nature reserve.
At this point, I think it really hit me how much our locals care for our own landscape. This inspired me as well to see this beyond just an info-graphics/zine project. The care the staff had for what they were doing really made me really care for the location I’ve chosen as well. I started wanting to think about the different ways that would make others care for my location as well, and will be doing my best to incorporate my findings and feelings into my info-graphics.
Highlights & Snapshots (SBWR4.1)
Golden Orb Spider on the path near the entrance
Bats sleeping under a roof (You can find them by looking for droppings on floors under roofs!)
Watching the different types of egrets during ‘What’s in my sky’ guided walk
Spot the croc! (I didn’t notice the crocodile was there til I went through my photos ;u;)
A view of Malaysia from the nature reserve!
Map of the migratory path of birds
Interviews & Surveys (SBWR4.2)
Interviews with visitors (and volunteer) at SBWR: The following are the interview questions that I drafted out before I went on my second trip to Sungei Buloh.
During the interviews, I decided to cut it down to 4 questions (circled in the above image) and occassionally sneak in additional questions if I manage to get them into a talking mood. I had two sets of questions – one for visitors and one for the staff.
Unfortunately, I was only able to use the second set of questions for Mr. Azmi since he was a volunteer. I went to the staff at the Visitor’s Center and they informed me that while they had received my email and call earlier in the week, but they needed alot more time to request for permission for any sort of interview. Fortunately, I managed to get insight from a volunteer and he offered to help connect me to the Deputy Director as well – which was extremely nice of him! (;-;)
Onwards to interview/soundbites!
A Volunteer’s Insight:
(I recorded the sound as well with my phone!)
Some interviews with visitors:
My chinese cannot (;-;) I’m glad to have a friend… even though our 中文不行….
It’s… alot of feet.
I decided to interview some of them in groups of 2-4 as well so that they wouldn’t run away – alot of them came to Sungei Buloh for some peace and quiet, so they wanted to remain anonymous. They were mostly receptive to a voice interview but wouldn’t agree to a video one.
Thanks to the people at Sungei Buloh for the interviews! 🙂
E-Interview with Deputy Director of SBWR:
I’ve managed to get an e-interview with Yang Shufen, Deputy Director of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve as well after my trip to the wetland reserve. After interviewing/chatting with visitors of the nature reserve, it’s a very interesting insight! The following is the e-interview:
Observation Research (32 people):
I first observed and counted the demographic within peak hour on Saturday morning (10AM – 11AM) near the Visitor’s Centre.
1) Breakdown by Age
• 0-14 years (Children): 3 (9%)
• 15-25 years (Teenagers/Young Adults): 4 (13%)
• 25-55 (Adults): 15 (47%)
• Over 55 (Elderly): 10 (31%)
2) Breakdown by Locals/Non-Locals
• Locals: 18
• Foreigners: 14
Survey (30 people):
After that, I conducted a single-question physical survey.
Q. Have you gone to Sungei Buloh before?
• Yes, multiple times: 5
• Yes, only once: 14
• No: 11
—
Thank you so much to all the staff and visitors of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve! (I had such a wonderful time there!)
• A Thai Visitor at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/mygreenspace/issue-03-vol-3-2009/conservation/a-thai-visitor-at-sungei-buloh-wetland-reserve
• Little Day Out: https://www.littledayout.com/2017/04/04/5-essentials-sungei-buloh-wetland-reserve-tidal-ponds/
• Nparks (Register for tours, flora and fauna web, newsletters & other resources): https://www.nparks.gov.sg/
• Launch of wireless learning (2007): https://www.nparks.gov.sg/news/2007/8/nparks-launches-wireless-learning-trail–sungei-buloh-wetland-reserve-first-of-its-kind-in-the-region
• EcologyAsia: http://www.ecologyasia.com/html-loc/sungei-buloh.htm
• Primary School MOE Walks: http://woodlandspri.moe.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/58-2017-Field-Trip-To-Sungei-Buloh-Wetland-Reserve.pdf
• History of Sungei Buloh: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_566_2005-02-01.html
• Saving Sungei Buloh: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/saving-sungei-buloh
• Otters mobbing a crocodile: https://mothership.sg/2017/03/close-up-video-show-otters-confronting-crocodile-at-sungei-buloh-by-mobbing-it/
• Nature Society (Birdwatching on 15 April): https://www.nss.org.sg/events.aspx?id=qpwm84I9MYI=&group_id=yclleUod3WM=
• 4.49PM: Smells really damp, nutty and like mushrooms during my walk over the Mid Canopy Walk. The bridge is very jiggly but really strong.
