The award-winning project combines data visualisation, narration and interactivity to create an impressive experience. It is based on Boyd's book of the same name and invites users to understand his inner conflict about the climate crisis while navigating the complex dilemma of our time themselves. 

At the centre of the project is the question: How can we live with the "impossible news" of impending climate collapse - without sinking into hopelessness? "This flowchart is an experimental attempt to rethink information design as an interactive medium for self-reflection and emotional climate communication. We are delighted that this interactive approach is now also gaining international recognition," says Prof. Dr Marian D?rk, Professor of Information Visualisation at Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.

The visual concept and technical implementation of the flowchart were largely developed by Jona Pomerance, a student on the BA in Interface Design at Potsdam University of Applied Sciences. The aim of the project was to show the complexity of the climate crisis and different perspectives for action.
"We wanted to allow viewers to move through the flowchart on their own paths, but at the same time offer the opportunity to follow a linear narrative that conveys relevant contextual information and references in a personal and approachable way," says Pomerance. The positive response to the interactive flowchart, which was evaluated using an online questionnaire and anonymous usage data, confirms this claim: users appreciated the ability to switch between narrative and explorative use, praised the accessible presentation of complex contexts and reported new food for thought and a stronger need to act.

The German-language version was created as part of a transdisciplinary research project on climate communication at Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts and Potsdam University of Applied Sciences and was published in the publication "Klima, Kollaps, Kommunikation". The original English version of the flowchart is included as a fold-out page in Andrew Boyd's new book "I Want a Better Catastrophe".

About the award
The Information is Beautiful Awards have been recognising outstanding work in the fields of data visualisation, infographics and interactive information art since 2012. Every year, creatives from all over the world submit hundreds of projects, which are assessed by a jury according to relevance, creativity and aesthetic realisation, among other criteria. The awards are organised by the Data Visualization Society.

Further information
Interactive flowchart: https://flowchart.bettercatastrophe.com/de/
Information is Beautiful Awards: https://informationisbeautifulawards.com