Creating a Visually Engaging Experience for FISH4ACP Blue Food Forum

As the lead designer for the Blue Food Forum hosted by FISH4ACP, a program under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), I was tasked with creating a visually engaging and informative experience for this international gathering of experts and policymakers. The forum, held on September 12-13, 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, aimed to explore the potential of aquatic value chains in driving food system change while addressing global challenges like malnutrition, poverty, and environmental degradation. Inspired by a dream that vividly revealed the concept, I designed a graphic that visually conveys the idea of a helping hand lifting up and protecting aquatic ecosystems.

A comprehensive suite of design services that highlighted the importance of sustainable aquaculture at the Blue Food Forum:

• Event branding: crafted a cohesive visual identity that captured the forum’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation.
• Exhibition materials: designed 18 exhibitor stands, a registration tent, badges, lanyards, posters, flags, and signage to create an immersive and informative experience for visitors
• Print materials: developed a 54-page compendium, fact sheets for 18 projects, and an event program that provided attendees with a professional and informative overview
• Digital assets: created eye-catching announcement banners and social media graphics to effectively promote the event online and reach a broader audience
• Merchandise: designed branded T-shirts and tote bags to serve as promotional tools, reinforcing the event’s branding and offering attendees practical keepsakes
• Ceremony elements: carefully crafted the award stage backdrop and trophies to create an impactful ceremony that celebrated the achievements of the event’s participants

Very grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important project, working closely with the FAO team: Maarten Roest, Senior Communications Strategist; Arianna Damico, Seminar Coordinator; Stefan Trifunovic, Content Coordinator; and the dedicated team in Tanzania who oversaw the entire event setup, led by Francis Shenyangwa of Gravitas Solution LTD.