Biome

Jack Kruf

A biome can be defined (Campbell, 1996) as” a major community on earth with a predominant vegetation and adapted organisms to that particular environment.” In fact the biomes of the present world can be considered as our major natural habitats. It is where biotic and abiotic elements of the ecosystems meet. It is in fact the place where biodiversity and resilience are made and engineered (by nature).

I designed – with the golden ratio in mind – these set of biomic landscapes. The Pantone® colours are hand-picked, corresponding with the biomes, for accurate colour management and print reproduction.

For home and office

The biomes are designed for a broad use and can be printed in a wide range of dimensions, from postcard to ‘museum’ dimensions. Here you fine a selection for the application for gallery, hall, home, office, outdoor and public space. Showcasing them in rooms where people meet, raises the awareness of the treasuries of Mother Earth.

In the office you can express and communicate your core philosophy and business approach with your clients and customers. You can make a true statement with your wall-art.

My motto: “A wisdom on the wall is a window to the world”. Knowing where you are, is the first step towards proper navigation. Note: The colours in the slides may differ from those of the actual prints. Every design is available as an open edition print.

Arctic biome

The Arctic and Antarctic stretch out in the polar regions, consisting of frozen land and seas. It are unique area’s among Earth’s ecosystems, because of their cold and extreme conditions. Life includes organisms living in the ice, zooplankton and phytoplankton, fish and marine mammals, birds, land animals, plants and at the arctic also human societies. They belong to the arctic biome.

Coral reef (biome)

Coral reefs are in fact part of the marine biome, often called “rainforests of the sea”, and form some of Earth’s most diverse ecosystems. They occupy less than 0.1% of the world’s ocean area (half the area of France), yet provide a home for at least 25% of all marine species.

Desert biome

The desert is a region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all. It belongs to the desert biome.

Forest biome

This is a biological community that is dominated by trees and other woody vegetation. More than one half of tropical forests have already been destroyed. Only scattered remnants of original temperate forests remain. Current extensive logging in boreal forests may soon cause their disappearance. There are three major types of forests; tropical rainforest, temperate forest and boreal forest (taiga).

Freshwater biome

3% of earth’s water is freshwater and about 70% of that is sequestered in polar ice. There are wetlands inundated with water, streams and rivers with running water and ponds and lakes with accumulating water.

Grassland biome

Grasslands are characterized as lands dominated by grasses. Continental climate (hot and dry) is favourable for grasses rather than for large shrubs or trees. There are savannas, prairies and steppes.

Marine biome

The marine biome dominates the surface of the Earth, covering about three-quarters of the Earth’s surface area. The world’s oceans contain the richest diversity of species of any space on Earth. Rainwater for land areas is supplied by the evaporation of ocean waters. There are oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries.

Tundra biome

The tundra is characterized as lands with shrubby vegetation, composed of dwarf shrubs, sedges and grasses, mosses, and lichens, which is adapted to harsh conditions with an extremely cold climate. The biodiversity is low, there is poor nutrients availability and little precipitation with a short season (the Arctic summer) of growth and reproduction. There are alpine and arctic tundras.

Bibliography

Campbell, N. (1996) Biology 3th edn. California Menlo Park: The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company

My Word

Jack Kruf

This matrix links the internal and external drive to that of the language domain. It is often used in communication within politics and government. Of course, it also applies to the private and business worlds and the personal domains. Our words often share a light behind the scenes. This diagram brings drives and words together.

Bron: De Graaf en Kunst (2009). Design My Word (2020) ©Jack Kruf

The maximum of both worlds is want, and if the external drive is higher than the internal must is used, vice versa that is may. If both are low then can is used. In the middle of the matrix, the word dare is positioned to cross over or break through the boundaries of a quadrant. The matrix is often used in communication, co-creation and design sessions within groups.

The spoken language can tell us a lot about the internal drive of those who use the word in relation to the need to act. Many present policy plans use the word must. The context here is the need for change, innovation, development, transition, and transformation related to climate, energy, water, cyber, circular, social care, finance, resilience, and ecosystem protection. Migrating to want would give a lot of power. Is this possible, maybe seduction and education?

My word can be considered as an indicator of where I am in the diagram. From there, navigation can start.

Bibliography

Graaf, A. de en Kunst, K. (2009) Einstein en de kunst van het zeilen: Praktijkboek over leiderschap en communicatie. Amsterdam: Uitgeverij SWP. link

Forest Biometrics

I designed an intelligent pawn, called Equoi. It is in essence a simple concept, like that of the barometer or thermometer. It measures the mood of an object, place or process. The pawn is virtually full of sensors. Its application is easy: just put it on the table, ask your question, wait a moment and Equoi tells you the how and the what.

© Jack Kruf (2019) Forest Biometrics [3d-print]. Breda: Private collection

Here the global state of the forests is measured. What emerges is a result with a highly fragmented pattern. Indeed most of the forests are reduced, exploited, intersected. Deforestation has done its work and continues to do so. The left islands of forest, sometimes no more than ‘a group of trees’, are almost too small to survive as an ecosystem.

Wild life

Ladybugs, dogs, owls, otters: Charley Harper’s geometric illustrations are more than a source of delight. With a never-ending curiosity for the natural world, especially for wildlife and flora, Harper developed a unique style that influenced generations of artists and designers.

Wild Life: the life and work of Charley Harper, published by Gestalten, celebrates the centenary and legacy of Charley Harper, a master of midcentury American illustration: a vast collection of works originally created as posters, magazine covers, murals, and more.

Compiled by design writer Margaret Rhodes and the artist’s son, Brett Harper, this definitive monograph offers a glimpse into Harper’s creative universe and considers him anew in different contexts: as a student, a professional artist, a husband, an honorary naturalist, and a conservationist.

Telling the story of his life and of his masterpieces, Wild Life is essential for enthusiasts of the American master and for anyone interested in midcentury visual culture.