Created for the 50th anniversary of Jaws, this editorial illustration for TIME magazine’s article “How Jaws Wreaked Havoc on Marine Conservation” reimagines the film’s iconic poster to challenge the perception of sharks—not as predators, but as victims of fear-driven storytelling and mass killing. As the article cites, over 100 million sharks are killed every year (while reportedly, sharks kill 12 humans a year). Art Direction: Phivi Spyridonos
Challenge
The TIME magazine article “How Jaws Wreaked Havoc on Marine Conservation”, published for the 50th anniversary of Jaws, highlights the devastating impact the film had on public perception of sharks and subsequent shark killings. However, the current visual accompanying the article—a Getty image of scuba divers swimming alongside sharks—lacks the emotional weight and symbolic resonance needed to fully support the article’s message.
Solution
This editorial illustration was created to strengthen the article’s impact by reimagining the film’s iconic poster. It challenges the long-held image of sharks as villains and reframes them as victims—representing the 100 million sharks killed each year, many as a result of fear and misinformation. Through visual storytelling, the illustration evokes empathy and invites viewers to rethink their perception of sharks, enhancing the article’s call for awareness and conservation.
