By Karima Rhanem, Senior Managing Editor
In an era where science often struggles to compete with the noise of misinformation and distraction, Tremors offers a rare, poetic alternative: a work that teaches, remembers, and resonates. Blending animation, illustration, and traditional storytelling, Tremors—created by French designer Nicolas Jacquette—is both a film and an illustrated book that introduces children to the science of earthquakes while honoring Morocco’s Amazigh cultural roots.
The project began as a commission from the Agadir Reconstruction Museum, which sought to educate children about seismology in a compelling way. Jacquette responded by crafting more than just an instructional film. Tremors became a visual tale: narrated in the indigenous Tachelhit language, rich in Amazigh symbolism, and set to original music composed by Agadir-born artist Abdellah Bennabbou. The film’s visual style evokes the feeling of ancient oral traditions—stories passed down by firelight under starlit skies—while quietly educating its viewers on geological concepts.
Since its debut, Tremors has gained international recognition, screening at 76 festivals in 26 countries and winning 15 awards, including top honors at CERN’s CinéGlobe Festival in Geneva and New York’s Raw Science Film Festival. Building on this momentum, Jacquette adapted the story into a book in 2023, published by La Boîte à Culture in Rabat. The illustrated volume mirrors the narrative of the film and includes a language glossary and cultural discovery game designed for young readers.
The book’s release took on unexpected urgency following a devastating earthquake in southern Morocco on September 8, 2023—the same day the museum was officially completed. In response to the tragedy, Jacquette and his publisher added four new pages on earthquake safety, survival tips, and emergency preparedness. All proceeds from Moroccan sales of the book now go to AMESIP, an NGO aiding children affected by the quake.
Nicolas Jacquette: Designing for Impact
The mind behind Tremors, Nicolas Jacquette, is not new to storytelling with purpose. A designer, illustrator, and scriptwriter, Jacquette has led the Paris-based agency Si | Studio-Irrésistible since 2009. The agency specializes in communication projects at the intersection of science, culture, and diplomacy. His career bridges digital communication, data visualization, and public engagement—always with a strong civic focus.
Jacquette co-founded the Press & Cartooning Global Forum, an international platform on press freedom and visual journalism. In 2021, he received the Gérard Vandenbroucke Prize for his advocacy for cartoonists and the defense of free expression. His design work for the Council of the European Union during the French Presidency in 2022 earned him 10 international design awards.
As a consultant, he has also worked with MIVILUDES—the French government agency monitoring sectarian movements—and remains active in environmental and educational causes. His approach consistently links art and activism, creating content that not only informs but connects deeply with audiences.
Tremors is the first volume in the La Rose des Vents series, a collection aimed at making science accessible through storytelling. Future titles will explore themes like water and renewable energy. With support from institutions such as the Fondation des Presses Polytechniques et Universitaires Romandes, the project is gaining international traction—proving that when science meets culture, it becomes not just knowledge, but legacy.
