Wastewater-based epidemiology

The Centre of Excellence in Water-Based Early-Warning Systems for Health Protection (CWBE).

Overview:

CWBE aims to revolutionise pandemic prevention through community-wide water surveillance. By identifying traces of pathogens and health biomarkers at the source, they can stop outbreaks before they spread and gain a deeper, data-driven understanding of non-communicable diseases like diabetes.

We translated CWBE’s vision into a refined, professional identity by balancing high-fidelity visual design with precise content execution. This approach ensured the final product was as authoritative as it was aesthetically compelling.

The final product features a sophisticated, minimalist design and an intuitive user flow, inviting users to engage deeply with the content rather than just browsing it.

 

Industry: Biotechnology

Deliverables/Key elements:

• Discovery workshops
• Reviewing the target market
• Target audience analysis
• Mood boarding and brainstorming sessions
• Concept design
• Logo design
• Brandmark
• Colour palettes
• Fonts/Typography
• Visual brand assets
• Brand guidelines
• Video animation design
• Illustrations
• Web Animations
• UI design
• UX design
• Interaction design
• Front-end development
• User testing
• UI library

 

Key Takeaways:

• Strong visual identity
• Great brand strategy
• Unique identity and brand positioning
• Stylish website design
• Brand consistency
• Clean customer experience

 

The challenge:

COMPLEX INFORMATION MODERN DESIGN

CWBE provided their own content due to the complexity of the offering. It was our job to improve and map out this content in a way that was digestible for the users. The design we created bridges the gap between complex scientific research and user accessibility, ensuring that the CWBE’s pioneering mission is communicated with clarity, authority, and modern technical appeal.

 

Illustration creation and animation

GET THINGS MOVING

To communicate CWBE’s complex mission, we developed a bespoke animated overview that harmonises technical authority with approachable illustration. By adopting a refined ‘sketch-style’ aesthetic, we translated abstract epidemiological data into a cohesive, memorable narrative that bridges the gap between high-level science and public understanding. This balance of clinical professionalism and fluid animation, complemented by a minimalist score and authoritative narratio,n ensures the content is both accessible and credible. The result is a high-impact visual tool that mirrors CWBE’s modern digital identity while significantly driving information retention and brand trust.

 

UI/UX design

PUT THE PUZZLE TOGETHER

To achieve a truly user-centric experience for CWBE, we dedicated ourselves to a rigorous design process focused on clarity and ease of use. Our journey began with an in-depth discovery phase, where we mapped out complex scientific workflows to identify the most intuitive path for the user. We then moved into iterative wireframing, stripping away visual clutter to keep the core data as the focal point. By balancing a minimalist aesthetic with high-performance functionality, we refined every interaction from navigation menus to data visualisations, ensuring the interface felt both sophisticated and effortless. This commitment to a “clean-first” philosophy resulted in a seamless digital environment that empowers users to access critical public health information without friction.

THE RESULT:

Immediate Credibility and Authority

The design uses a sophisticated, academic-leaning colour palette (typically blues and whites) and a structured layout. This immediately signals to the user that they are engaging with a high-level research institution. By maintaining a “clean professional feel,” the design builds trust with stakeholders, government partners, and the scientific community.

Intuitive Information Hierarchy

For a complex topic like “Wastewater-Based Epidemiology,” a clear design is essential. The website uses a logical “user flow” that guides visitors from high-level concepts (Mission/Vision) down into technical specifics (Research/PhD opportunities). This prevents the “information overload” that often plagues scientific websites.

Seamless Navigation (UX)

• Accessibility: A clean design often implies high readability and mobile responsiveness, allowing researchers to access data or news on various devices.
• Logical Labelling: Users can easily distinguish between “About Us,” “Partnerships,” and “Research,” reducing the time spent searching for specific resources.

Enhanced Visual Clarity for Data

The use of white space and a minimalist aesthetic ensures that key biomarkers, pathogen data, and research highlights stand out. 

Alignment with “One Health” Vision

The website design mirrors the CWBE’s vision of a modern, digital water-sensing platform. A dated or cluttered site would contradict the “state-of-the-art” technology they are developing. The clean UI reinforces the message that this is a forward-thinking, tech-driven public health solution.

Democratisation of Complex Information

Because the layout is “clean” and the flow is “clear,” it makes high-level epidemiology accessible to a broader audience (like community leaders or the general public) without sacrificing the technical depth required by scientists.

 

The Solution: Mixed media, clean design.

To maintain a balance of professionalism and accessibility, we utilised a clean visual language defined by minimalist lines and a structured block-colour palette. We further enhanced this aesthetic with subtle animations and a bespoke sketch-style video, injecting a sense of ‘lightness’ and approachable clarity into a highly technical subject.

 

You can check our CWBE here: www.cwbe.ac.uk or if you are interested in the services offered, you can get in touch with us!