Design for nature and the nature of design ability: a study connecting birding, Visual Communication design and scientific illustration

This thesis investigates how Visual Communication design expertise can make a significant contribution to digital scientific illustration for Australian birds and to knowledge about creative practice in Design. Using case studies this research develops Identicons, a new graphic information system for Australian bird identification applicable to bird field guides, for use in the field by the birding community, and for environmental education. Through reflective practice the research analyses the creative process in the act of designing to increase knowledge of how the Visual Communication designer understands the nature of his or her own design ability in their design practice.