Heatmap

Heatmap is a climate newsroom monitoring the busy intersection of science, technology, economics, and culture. Before publishing their first article, Heatmap leadership — a fiercely curious group of former editors hailing from a range of widely circulated magazines — tapped Abbr. Projects to design a new identity and site that would project a cool-headed perspective on the most important story of our time: our changing planet.

Avoiding the obvious graphical representations of heat maps, often seen as cloudy, organic gradients, we landed on a concept that zooms into single pieces of data, abstracting individual data points as colorful enlarged pixels.

We then used this system to frame content, indicate categories, and emphasize text or imagery on the new site. This simple device helps readers perfectly screenshot headlines, encouraging the circulation of Heatmap articles.

Equal parts pop art and popular science, the system is endlessly applicable, from newsletters to subway ads, always in the service of bringing new color to the climate conversation.

Abbreviated Projects continues to support the Heatmap team on a range of creative projects, from microsites and events, to white papers and merchandise. We’ve even contributed feature articles to the publication on subjects including birding and electric bikes.

“It’s a delight to work with Abbreviated Projects. Not only are they professional and super responsive, but they are really good at what they do. When I approached them about designing Heatmap’s site and visual identity, they immediately got what made us special and aced how to communicate that to readers in a sophisticated and eye-catching way. I couldn’t be more pleased with their work.” — Nico Lauricella, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Heatmap

Heatmap’s interactive “Decarbonize Your Life” series, designed by Abbreviated Projects, was awarded a National Magazine Award for Service Journalism in 2025.