Citéo Marseille
Rethinking bottle sorting
in public spaces
illustration – artistic direction – mediation – graphic design
Citéo Marseille,
Rethinking bottle sorting
in public spaces
Date
– 2019
Client
– Citéo France
Role
– artistic direction
– illustration
– graphic design
– mediation
– Field research
– User engagement
To support Citéo France in improving the sorting of plastic bottles in voluntary drop-off points, we redesigned the sorting areas of the 5th arrondissement of Marseille.
The objective? To transform these utilitarian spots into engaging, educational, and welcoming spaces, encouraging better recycling habits through local storytelling and visual design
From Field Study to Visual Strategy
Our approach began with several days of on-site observation, interviews, and ethnographic research. This phase revealed a clear insight: Marseille residents feel deeply connected to their local environment, from the calanques to native Mediterranean flora.
This connection became our foundation. Rather than focusing on abstract environmental messaging, we chose to root the sorting narrative in the local ecosystem, offering residents concrete, relatable reasons to recycle, such as protecting nearby plant species and biodiversity.
Educational Design for Positive Impact
We developed five original illustrated visuals of local plant species, each enriched with botanical details: flowering seasons, locations where they grow, traditional uses and ecological roles
These illustrations were paired with redesigned sorting instructions, integrated into the visuals to encourage the correct gestures at a glance. We also added participatory planters to further engage passersby and reinforce the message through interaction and care.
The result: sorting points that are no longer invisible or neglected, but that attract attention, spark curiosity, and promote sustainable behavior in a simple, gentle, and visually engaging way.
