2022 – 2023
Website Design
Online Interactive Deep Dives
Data Visualisation
Printed Editorial Briefs
C-THRU is a major research initiative focused on reducing carbon emissions in the global petrochemical sector. Our brief was to design and develop a series of interactive web stories to communicate findings from the project's second year — making complex academic research accessible and engaging for policy makers, industry stakeholders, and the wider public.
C-THRU is a 3-year, US$4m, international research project which aims to deliver carbon clarity for the global petrochemical sector. The team, led by Professor Jonathan Cullen, will explore options for reducing the sector’s pressure on the environment.
The primary challenge was to translate dense academic research into six distinct digital narratives that would resonate across diverse audiences; from scientists and policy experts to curious lay readers. The platform needed to balance clarity and credibility with accessibility and interactivity. With large volumes of data, graphs, and insights to convey, the storytelling format itself needed to do heavy lifting.
We began by mapping the content structure and prioritising a format that would invite exploration. Building on the visual identity we established for C-THRU’s first-year report, we refined and evolved the design system; introducing more mature typographic hierarchies, expanded colour palettes, and a photographic treatment.
To optimise the storytelling experience, we designed the desktop journey to scroll horizontally; a deliberate choice that allowed for generous space to display complex figures and data visualisations without overwhelming the reader. Prototypes were built in Figma and refined collaboratively with the C-THRU team, ensuring narrative clarity and technical accuracy at every stage.
Built in Webflow, the final experience presents C-THRU’s second-year insights through six interactive, responsive stories — each one tailored to engage, inform, and inspire action. The site positions C-THRU as both a research authority and a communications innovator, expanding its reach beyond academia and into the realms of policy and public understanding.