Background: Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures is an organization that functions as part of Alberta’s research, development and innovation system. In short, they do some pretty cool scientist stuff. I got to be involved in creating some information graphics to help describe an innovative substance that they’re currently working on called NCC.

According to their recent news release, “It’s super strong, it’s green and it’s providing new opportunities for business in Alberta. It’s called nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and Alberta is about to become a leader in its production and study. A new Edmonton-based pilot facility will be the first in Canada to produce the quality of NCC that researchers need to fully explore all its potential applications.”

I got to spend a day touring their facilities and learning from their scientists about the NCC basics: what it is and how they are creating it. I created several graphics for them. The one above shows a simplified 4-step process of “How to Create NCC” that I illustrated for a large info board that they had up at their media event. The idea was to simplify the complex NCC process so that it could be easily digested by your average media person, politician or fellow-next-door. Tech Futures has SUCH a great, enthusiastic über-brilliant team. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much working on a project. Thanks Erin and the crew for such a fun week!

For more info check out their website at www.albertatechfutures.ca