Great Valley

'Sustainable Narratives: Visualizing Data, Design and Community' exhibit to open

Graphic designers translate complex data into accessible visuals about climate change, community resilience and creative solutions

Students designed new trail markers and educational signs for Thompson Woods Preserve to help visitors enjoy nature and navigate expansive trails. This is one example of data visualization projects that will be showcased during the exhibit. Credit: Jordan Wolf / Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

MALVERN, Pa. — Penn State Great Valley's Henry Art Gallery will host the exhibit "Sustainable Narratives: Visualizing Data, Design and Community" from April 1 through July 25. An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, April 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. Guests may register for the reception here. 

This curated collection of visual works uses data-driven storytelling about sustainability and community engagement to explore how design can shape a more sustainable future. 

The exhibition, led by Huiwon Lim, assistant professor of graphic design at Penn State, showcases his solo works as a graphic designer and design educator, as well as collaborative projects with students, offering diverse perspectives on how data can be transformed into powerful narratives. The projects reflect on pressing global issues — climate change, social equity and community resilience — while exploring creative solutions through design.

The exhibited works aim to inspire meaningful conversations about our shared responsibility for a sustainable future, according to Lim. By translating complex data into accessible visuals, the exhibition challenges viewers to rethink their relationship with information, environment and community. Data-driven storytelling illuminates unseen patterns, fosters understanding and highlights the power of design to drive social impact. 

Last Updated March 20, 2025