Visual Communication Design Can Protect the Alpine Tundra!

This summer, KU visual communication design students will collaborate with the National Park Service to create educational signage that encourages visitors to stay on designated trails—helping to protect the fragile alpine tundra. Led by Professor Jeremy Shellhorn, this immersive service-learning project combines design research and applied visual communication to tackle an urgent environmental challenge. Over a week and a half in July, students will design, test, and refine trailhead signs using real-time data in partnership with colleagues at the University of Montana. Their final suite of data-driven signs will be donated to the National Park Service and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, benefiting national parks beyond Rocky Mountain. 

About the Design Outside Studio 

Founded by Jeremy Shellhorn, the Design Outside Studio explores how design can create change in outdoor spaces. Our projects have helped: 

• Encourage drivers to slow down for bears
• Keep visitors on trails to protect native plants
• Introduce millions to national parks
• Engage hikers to stop erosion
• Archive and digitize National Park “Lettering” 

Why Your Support Matters 

We’re raising $10,000, which will be matched by a grant from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Your support funds travel and research materials, empowering students to apply design for conservation. 

How You Can Help 

Donate today to double your impact through our matching grant. Share this opportunity with outdoor enthusiasts and design advocates. Together, we can protect Rocky Mountain National Park and inspire the next generation of design leaders. Thank you!