Communicating Sustainability Visual Storytelling: Arlene Birt | www.backgroundstories.com visual storyteller & information designer Part 1 of 3
CommunicatingSustainability
Visual Storytelling:
Arlene Birt | www.backgroundstories.comvisual storyteller & information designer
Part 1 of 3
• Visual Storyteller• Graphic, Info and Interactive Design• Public Artist• Adjunct Faculty (Sustainability at Minneapolis College of Art & Design)
Agenda:• Intros• Sustainability-related Data• Visual Storytelling & Consumer Context• Exercise: Life Cycle Narrative• Examples (my work)• Storytelling Tips & Process• Exercise: Your Product• Inspiration & Resources
What we’ll cover:• Overview of sustainability & related data
• Overview of narrative info design
• Application of narrative & storyline to communicate sustainability of a product
Objective:• Inform• Equip• Inspire
Sustainability is:The ability to ENDURE.
Sustainability is:
Social Environmental Financial
Concept Material
Process Communication
Design for Sustainability:
Design for Sustainability:
Concept
Process Communication
Material
Benefits of communicating on sustainability
Transparency = Trust, Credibility
The more you know, the more you grow.
Info Alone is Not Enough“The critical question to ask is: How does providing information address barriers to a target audience engaging in the behavior I wish to encourage?”
-Doug McKenzie-Mohr Fostering Sustainable Behavior
Why Visuals?
Why Visuals?
Visual Learners65%
by F.J. Anscombe, “Graphs in Statistical Analysis”
by F.J. Anscombe, “Graphs in Statistical Analysis”
London, 1854: John Snow’s Cholera Map
London, 1854: John Snow’s Cholera Map
Sainte-Chapelle (Paris) window #14: Kings I & II, Solomon I & II
Visual Thinkers?
Dan Roam; “The Back of the Napkin”
Visual Thinking Process:
Dan Roam; “The Back of the Napkin”
Visual Storytelling = Facilitating the Visual Thinking Process for Others.
Show, don’t Tell
Sainte-Chapelle (Paris) window #14: Kings I & II, Solomon I & II
Visual Storytelling for Sustainability:
Tool for EducationHelp people learn what ‘sustainability’ is by showing the context; people can start to recognize the patterns.
Sainte-Chapelle (Paris) window #14: Kings I & II, Solomon I & II
Visual Storytelling for Sustainability:
Sainte-Chapelle (Paris) window #14: Kings I & II, Solomon I & II
• Engages People• Encourages Memorization• Communicates Context• Avoids ‘the defenses’
Benefits of Visual StorytellingVisual Storytelling for Sustainability:
Sustainability isMEASURABLE / TRACEABLE
• LCA (Life Cycle Analysis)• CSR reports (Global Reporting Initiative)• Supply Chain• Ecolabels • Eco Footprint• Carbon Footprint• Food Miles• etc.
Sustainability isMEASURABLE / TRACEABLE
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)A technique to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with a product, process, or service.
Measuring Sustainability:
Measuring Sustainability:
CSR ReportingMeasuring Sustainability:
Supply ChainTracing Sustainability:
http://sourcemap.com/
Source: ecolabelling.org
Eco LabelsMeasuring Sustainability:
Signed, Sealed... Delivered?Behind Certifications and Beyond Labels
What Are Consumers Presented With?
Source: ecolabelling.org
A Lot.
Info OverloadCommunication Challenges:
Info OverloadCommunication Challenges:
Putting Up Defenses