Research Focus : SOSIAL HUMANIORA
Keyword: education, mangroves, illustration book, environmental graphic design

Summary

Mayangan Village in Subang surrounded by a mangrove ecosystem, but mangrove-related educational facilities are limited and heavily focused on ceremonial planting activities. Initial field observations identified several obstacles, including unclear signage, a lack of interpretive tools, non-inclusive access routes, and the absence of child-friendly learning media at the five main locations: the Mangrove Education House (REM), Bird Island, the Arboretum, and Pak Shokin’s Fish Pond. These challenges highlight the need for a structured educational approach through Environmental Graphic Design (EGD) and supporting media, such as illustrated books, to enhance engagement in mangrove learning among 11th and 12th students.

Survey Documentation

To address this issue, a research team consisting of lecturers from Visual Communication Design (DKV) BINUS Bandung, Interior Design (Interior Design) BINUS Malang, and students developed an illustrated book supporting EGD, entitled “Let’s Get to Know and Plant Mangroves,” as a portable learning tool for children. This book introduces key mangrove concepts through local narratives, simple visual explanations, and hands-on activities conducted in class and during field trips. The book was implemented on Burung Island as a navigation and interpretation aid, guiding students in identifying species, ecological functions, and observation points during outdoor learning activities.

Illustrated Book Design: Ayo Kenal dan Tanam Mangrove!

The integration of EGD elements such as pictorial markers, simple maps, spatial cues, and contextual storytelling demonstrated improved student orientation and comprehension during the pilot test. Questionnaire responses from students and teachers at various schools demonstrated high enthusiasm for visual and interactive learning, with many emphasizing the importance of clear symbols, child-friendly illustrations, and guided exploration paths. Interviews with community members further confirmed that local stories, fishermen’s knowledge, and the lived experiences of coastal communities significantly enriched the program’s educational value.

The implementation on Burung Island demonstrated the potential of combining EGD and illustrated books to transform the learning environment from an indoor classroom into an accessible and engaging outdoor space. Initial results indicate increased ecological awareness, stronger engagement among young participants, and increased motivation to participate in mangrove conservation activities. Future development will focus on expanding EGD components, such as interpretive signage, improved signage systems, interactive maps, short digital content, and strengthening the REM as the primary interpretation center for the village’s mangrove education program. This serves as an initial model for context-based mangrove education in coastal communities, and supports the long-term vision of transforming Mayangan Village into a sustainable, community-driven edu-ecotourism site.

Product Impact

Product impact is the measurable change created when the illustrated book and EGD media are used improving students understanding of mangroves, increasing engagement in outdoor learning, strengthening local identity, and enhancing the clarity and accessibility of the educational spaces in Desa Mayangan.

Product Uniqueness

Product uniqueness is the integrated blend of a locally narrated illustrated book and Environmental Graphic Design system that acts as a boundary object connecting students, teachers, and the mangrove landscape through visual, spatial, and culturally rooted learning tools.

Inventor:
Uzda Nabila Shabiriani, S.Ds., M.Ds.
Ersto Ardianto
Intan Suci Lestari
Iftika Suliastuti
Andhika Pramalystianto

SDG: Quality Education

Hibah Internal (Lainnya): Scheme: NICE, Year: 2025, Institution: Bina Nusantara University, Member Type: Research Internal Leader