As a multimedia designer and researcher

I was tasked with exploring and illustrating the environmental sustainability impacts of data centers, focusing specifically on their water usage. This project seeks to educate the public about the often-overlooked water consumption associated with our digital lifestyle, highlighting the intricate relationship between digital activities, data processing, and water use.

The key challenge was gathering accurate data and information on water usage from data centers, as much of this information is not readily disclosed.

Additionally, translating the technical aspects of data center operations into engaging and educational content required careful planning and creative visualization techniques.

During this period, I conducted extensive literature reviews and expert interviews, ensuring that the animation was both scientifically accurate and appealing to a broad audience. Animation design was utilised to visualise complex processes, such as the cooling mechanism of a data centre and its pattern of water consumption, guiding the audience to understand various aspects of water use in the data centre.

How people learn about this issue?

The animation begins with everyday digital activities such as streaming videos and using social media, and gradually reveals the invisible infrastructure—the data centre—that supports these activities. A little journey guides viewers through a typical data centre, exploring the substantial amounts of water required to keep servers cool and the factors that affect water consumption.

Content is divided into easy-to-digest sections covering topics such as data centre operational needs, cooling systems, and case studies of water-intensive data centres in various climates. These animations highlight the environmental costs of our digital habits, ultimately drawing attention to the issue of water consumption in data centres.