Posted on June 16th, 2010 by James Provost
b.spirit! is Brussels Airlines’ inflight magazine on long haul flights to Africa. AD Marten Sealby contacted me to illustrate a story for the magazine about the re-introduction of ferry service across Lake Victoria which borders Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. The ferries to be used are interesting because they would be designed and built in Seattle, then disassembled, packed into containers, shipped to Africa’s interior and then reassembled in Kampala.
Because the ferries had not yet been built, the illustration would be conceptual, emphasizing the design, assembly, disassembly and shipping processes. An inset map would help familiarize the reader with Lake Victoria. Here are the sketches I sent Marten:


Marten gave the green light to the second sketch, showing the rear of the ferry with a section of the bow cutaway and being loaded into a shipping container. Here is the final:

Tags: Green, Lineart, Map, Marine, Process, Transportation
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Posted on June 16th, 2010 by James Provost
Concept illustration of a ‘ferry in a box’ to be designed and built in Seattle, then disassembled, packed into containers, shipped and reassembled in Uganada for service on Lake Victoria. The ferry is to carry 200 passengers and be powered by locally sourced biofuels.
Tags: Green, Lineart, Map, Marine, Transportation
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Posted on May 6th, 2010 by James Provost

If recent projects are any indication, energy is a hot topic. From advances in sustainable production, to energy independence, to efficiency and control, the issues are boiling over and innovation is gathering steam. Above: Four solar energy technologies illustrated: photovoltaic panels, solar water heating, solar power tower and passive solar heating. Right: Cutaway illustration of a new horizontal drilling technique that increases yield and reduces equipment costs and surface disturbance.
Left: If the US’ annual energy consumption was converted to coal, it would fill a 1,000 mile-long train consisting of 100,000 cars. If that coal were to be dumped on Manhattan, a 23 square mile island, the pile would be 160 feet deep. If the entire world’s energy consumption were converted to coal, the pile would be 618 feet — it would reach the 60th floor of the Empire State Building. Wind power would account for 14 inches of the pile. Solar power, a mere 10 sheets of paper thick.
Below: Smart homes will manage energy usage, take advantage of off-peak energy, control appliances, produce energy and sell it back to the grid, and brief homeowners about their energy consumption, and encourage efficient living.

Top illustration for University of Minnesota’s Momentum Magazine. Bottom three for Missouri S&T Magazine. Big thanks to Art Directors Sarah Schmitz and Mindy Limback!
Tags: Cutaway, Energy, Green, Infographic, Lineart, Map, Science
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Posted on February 15th, 2010 by James Provost

Minneapolis-based Martin Ashal was charged with the task of communicating a broad range of thermal insulating access doors, viewports and wall panels for their client, an industry-leading manufacturer. The products are used in a variety of temperature- and humidity-sensitive applications, such as medical facilities, laboratories and clean rooms. The challenge was that the products are fully customizable, designed to meet each customer’s needs.
Under the direction of the talented Austin O’Brion, I created this series of icons to differentiate the product range by panel thickness and insulating ability.
Tags: Architecture, Green, Icon, Product
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Posted on February 15th, 2010 by James Provost
Icons illustrating a range of options for energy-saving thermal access doors, plenum walls and viewports for HVAC applications.
Tags: Architecture, Green, Icon, Product
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Posted on December 2nd, 2009 by James Provost
I recently had the pleasure of working under the exceptional art direction of Ryan Reynolds from MSDS on Electrification Roadmap. This report is a vision for an electric transportation sector and nationwide supergrid, published by the Electrification Coalition, a not-for-profit group seeking to affect energy policy to reduce economic, environmental and national security risks.

Electrification Roadmap Cover Concepts
I created lineart illustrations describing the different technologies that enable electric transportation: the different drive-train configurations (hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and full electric) contrasted with conventional internal combustion engines, lithium-ion cells and battery packs, and home charging stations.
We also worked together on concepts for the cover that leaned towards editorial illustration, an area I’ve been exploring recently. The concepts play on the vernacular of circuit diagrams, information graphics and transit maps using symbols of alternative energy and transportation.

Despite the final above not being used, it’s always great to work on positive projects with forward thinking people.
Tags: Automotive, Energy, Green, Hybrid, Transportation
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Posted on December 1st, 2009 by James Provost
Diagrams revealing the key components and features of different automotive drivetrain technologies: internal combustion, hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in electric (PHEV) and electric (EV). For Electrification Roadmap, a whitepaper on the electrification of America’s transport sector.
Tags: Automotive, Energy, Green, Hybrid, Transportation
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Posted on November 30th, 2009 by James Provost
Tags: Cutaway, Energy, Green, Science
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Posted on November 21st, 2009 by James Provost
The creation of a supergrid would combine America’s resources and enable the electrification of the transport sector for a healthier, cleaner and more secure future.
Tags: Automotive, Energy, Green, Transportation
Posted in Editorial Illustration | No Comments »
Posted on November 16th, 2009 by James Provost
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Calculate your household’s carbon footprint and discover ways to reduce your carbon output.
Tags: Energy, Green, Infographic, Interactive, Science
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