Lake Danao Natural Park (LDNP)  is one of the largest protected areas in Leyte. The place is based in Ormoc City and has become an ecotourism destination over the years. The place is blessed with endemic flora and fauna, a place where plants and animals foster a symbiotic relationship.

Photos by: Wendell Wafer (Above) and Gerry Ruiz (Below)

The place is in danger of several environmental threats, particularly in the rise of destructive human activity which caused a significant decline in its environment. The study made it clear that not a lot of tourists are aware of its protected area (PA) status and instead see the place as a place for recreation.

This study aimed to reposition LDNP as a center for biodiversity, conservation, and ecotourism. The place needed a distinct identity, cohesive brand architecture, and a messaging strategy to amplify its desired perception, as designers we employed the needed  visual communication solutions to solve this communication problem.

Three main problems LDNP currently faces is the lack of awareness of its protected area status and the lack of promotion and amplification of its distinct identity.

In order to amplify's the lake's distinct identity, the following logo studies were created highlighting its unique shape and its name. The concept was to make sure that the distinct shape was highlighted in order to keep its reputation and branding as a guitar shaped lake.

Furthermore, to account for the biodiversity of the lake's surroundings, supporting visual elements are found in the logo which represent the flora, fauna, water, and terrain that exists around it.

After tackling its problems on the presentation of its visual identity and other presentational aspects, it was time to tackle the lake's status as a protected area. An explorative and educational approach towards branding the place was one of the solutions decided upon.

The messaging strategy "More to _____ at LDNP" was chosen so the target audience will delve deeper into its identity by exploring other tourism products LDNP offers. The invitation to discover and learn through various things one can do at LDNP helps establish a connection with the visitors and the place itself.

By encouraging visitors to visit with the intention of either seeing, discovering, learning, photographing, communing with nature, and etc. in such a way that promotes its values in sustainability and ecoconsciousness, it gives a complexity to the place and linked experiences that it is not easily accessible elsewhere. fin