Case Study:
Bristol Digital Futures Institute
Smart Local Energy Systems
The Challenge.
How do you visualise something as complex and invisible as a city’s future energy system?
Bristol Digital Futures Institute wanted to spark public dialogue about smart local energy networks — and how they might help the city reach its ambitious net zero targets by 2030. But communicating these ideas required visuals that could bridge gaps between research, policy, and public understanding.
The Solution.
Working with Dr. Ola Michalec and Professor Ruzanna Chitchyan, I created a suite of illustrations and visual tools to support engagement across a range of platforms — from community events to policy workshops.
The materials included:
5 illustrated posters
8 double-sided postcards
A multi-page graphic report
Game assets
Editorial artwork
The work was co-designed with researchers, partners and community groups through multiple rounds of feedback. It balanced scientific accuracy with storytelling, helping make technical systems tangible and relevant to people’s everyday lives.
The Result.
The illustrations were used across conferences, local media, and policy engagement events — helping energise conversations around energy transitions. They featured in community spaces and supported outreach with organisations including:
Bristol City Council, Ofgem, and Catapult Energy Systems.
More than just explaining, the visuals helped provoke meaningful questions and made space for public reflection on the values driving our energy futures.
Kind Words.
“Working with Ollie was a great experience.
The process was collaborative and provided us with many opportunities for feedback and reflection.
Ollie took the time to understand the vision behind the project – our desire to tell stories about energy transitions – and brought it to life with creativity, skill, and a sharp eye for detail.
The illustrations got positive reception among peers and local residents, with features in community media, conferences
and partner organisations.
His professionalism throughout the project was notable — always responsive, reliable, and easy to communicate with. Deadlines were met without compromise on quality, and any feedback was handled with a thoughtful, solution-oriented approach.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to peers looking for a talented, dependable illustrator, passionate about science communication."
Dr Ola Michalec
University of Bristol