Project - Visual Design

Introduction - This next project requires you to consider how information and data can be composed to create a visually appealing document that effectively tells a story. You will consider strategies for shaping research results into a compelling story that either persuades an audience to take action or informs an audience about the research. For this project you will produce 1) a written and an oral elevator speech, 2) a completion report, and 3) an infographic.

By the end of this module you should be able to

1. Identify the key components of two professional genres (an elevator speech and completion report) and write documents using the genres;

2. Identify the methods visual designers use to tell stories with images, graphs, and charts;

3. Select and use visual storytelling methods to compose a persuasive or expository infographic;

4. Produce images, graphs, and/or charts with graphic-editing software;

5. Produce an oral presentation with audio-recording/editing software;

Getting Started

Over the next week, as we analyze infographics, I want you to think about how information can be presented visually. You will decide on a topic for your infographic by brainstorming areas in which you have some "expert" knowledge.

Option 1

You have started to develop expertise in professional writing. If you are interested in producing an infographic about professional writing, I will form a Facebook group to discuss approaches to the topic and provide you with information sources. The group will look to define technical writing, technical communication and/or professional writing for different audiences. You have spent a few months now learning to write technical documents and using technical processes, but if you had to tell another student about the field of technical writing/technical communication/professional writing what would you tell them?

Option 2

You are free to produce an infographic on a topic that is appropriate for and of interest to a public audience. You should write a mission statement for your project that addresses why the subject is important for a public audience. The project should be interesting for this audience, so don't do common public service subjects like smoking, drug use, drinking and driving, etc.

Putting it Together

Step 1 - For both options, you will have to write an elevator speech (100-150 words).

Step 2 - You will record your elevator speech (1-2 minutes) and save the file as an .mp3.

Step 3 - The project does not require empirical research (surveys, interviews, etc.), but you will have to find sources of information from databases, the Internet, or print media.

Step 4 - The project emphasizes turning information (facts, statistics, etc.) into a compelling story. To make sure you have a good story, you should create a storyboard, a visual rough draft.

Step 5 - You will have to decide on a graphic-design program to use and learn how to use the program. If you are not familiar with graphic design programs, this step could take some time.

Step 6 - You will design an infographic based on your storyboard. Your infographic needs to include at least three sets of information divided into at least three visual frames. The emphasis is on creating a compelling story, so you need to have enough visual and textual information to tell the story.

Step 7 - You will write a completion report (a kind of analytical report) that introduces your infographic. Your completion report should include 1) an introduction that states the significance of the infographic and defines an audience for it; 2) a product narrative that summarizes the story the infographic is telling; 3) a design section that justifies visual design choices and discusses the limitations of your design; and 4) a conclusion that looks to the future of the project.