Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
The Basics. Pick a description of the product you’d like to see accompany your evaluation in the column on the left. In the middle column, click on its linked name for an example, a full description of what that design element is, sample phrasing for your statement of work, plus its associated strengths and weaknesses.
What is the corresponding infographic or Complexity scale: 1‐10 What product do we want? visual design element? 1 = Do it yourself 10 = Call the experts Diagram of a simple process, structure, or hierarchy SmartArt 1
Free visual elements Clip art 1
A one‐page summary of the evaluation One‐pager 1
Visual data presentation Statistical graphic 2
Chronological narrative Timeline 2
Presenting individual pieces of data about a topic By the numbers 3
One object or topic depicted in a realistic photograph Photo infographic 4
Comparison of two things Versus infographic 5
Reference tool and/or website attention seeker Useful bait 6
Diagram of a more complicated process with multiple Flowchart 7 pathways, resource streams, or decision points
GIS data or geographic content Mapping 8
One story containing multiple visual elements Visual article 9
Complex data analysis via graphics Data visualization 10
1 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
Statistical graphic Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses visual data presentation Visualization of “Contractor will Many options available. Popular options often not the quantitative data. present summary Quick and easy to create. most accurate or informative. Microsoft Office statistics and any No additional software Must select the appropriate provides multiple related data analysis needed beyond Microsoft type of chart for the data or the options for do‐it‐ conducted as part of Office. graphic is not useful. Charts or yourself charts: the evaluation through graphs can easily become column, line, bar, pie, statistical graphics in misleading or difficult to bar, scatter, draft and final reports. interpret. doughnut, radar, and Plans for data more. collection, analysis, and Click on Insert and presentation through
Chart in the charts and graphs will Illustrations group in be included in the Excel or Word to evaluation view options. methodology section. “ Example: Microsoft Office templates https://templates.office.com/Templates
SmartArt Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses pre‐designed diagrams Graphics in Microsoft “Contractor will Many options available. Overused graphics lose Office that allow you identify any related Quick and easy to create. meaning. to add text and processes, cycles, No additional software Designs not exhaustive of all pictures to diagrams hierarchies, or needed beyond Microsoft processes. of lists, processes, relationships through Office. cycles, hierarchies, SmartArt graphics as relationships, and part of draft and final more. Click on Insert reports. “ and select SmartArt in the Illustrations group in Excel or Word to view options. Example: Microsoft Office support https://support.office.com/en‐ca/article/Create‐a‐SmartArt‐graphic‐fac94c93‐500b‐4a0a‐97af‐124040594842
2 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
Clip art Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses free visual elements Pre‐made images and “Contractor will apply Free. Graphics are pre‐designed and illustrations available graphics to report as cannot be manipulated. for free online and needed, including clip Microsoft Office replaced the through Microsoft art and other low cost clip art gallery with Bing image Office via Bing image or free visual aids as search in Dec. 2014 and some search. part of draft and final images may be protected by Click on Insert and reports. “ copyright. select Clip Art in the Illustrations group in Excel or Word to view options. Example: Microsoft Office search https://support.office.com/en‐au/article/Search‐for‐pictures‐or‐clip‐art‐online‐0a01ae25‐973c‐4c2c‐8eaf‐8c8e1f9ab530
Timeline Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses chronological narrative Visual representation “Contractor will Replaces a text‐based Visual timelines are an art—not of a sequence of develop a timeline of narrative with a larger a science. events through major program variety of information Too many events will crowd out pictures, text, or milestones based on about the program the image. additional data. literature reviews, key history, the evaluation Evaluators will need assistance Describes the informant interviews, tactics, or any in gathering relevant historical program background, focus group chronological sequence of markers, which may not even be or visualizes the discussions, and events related to the apparent and can shift per steps in the computer‐ evaluation. interview or document. evaluation administered surveys, methodology. plus photographs of Combine with other field sites from deliverables, such as implementing project photographs. partners.” Example: Lego Brick 50th Anniversary Timeline http://www.infographicdesign.org/projects/10‐great‐timeline‐infographics/
3 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
By the numbers Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses summarizing data Data and statistics “As part of the Summarizes a lot of Single pieces of numerical compiled into one evaluation report, content while providing information can underrepresent visual design. contractor will provide basic context on a topic. trends or focus on only one Summarizes program contextual research in aspect of a subject. inputs or outputs; the form of a by the describes an numbers visual that evaluation‐related summarizes major sector or industry changes in the energy discussion, a project sector within the activity, or the entire province over the last program. ten years.” Example: Container Shipping by the Numbers https://www.xeneta.com/blog/container‐shipping‐by‐the‐numbers‐infographic/
Mapping Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses GIS data or geographic content Combine geographic “Final deliverables will Condenses large amounts Your map could look like this. information with include mapping the of information to visually additional graphics, project sites with a compare the desired data, color coding, or visual display of geographic units (project other design funding amounts next site, municipality, village, elements to to public opinion poll town, city, state, country, communicate results and keyword region) in one snapshot. program outcomes summary derived from or inform project the qualitative content design. analysis per site.” Example: Jobs Tied to International Trade http://asiasociety.org/blog/asia/map‐day‐five‐facts‐about‐us‐you‐should‐know‐%E2%80%94‐and‐one‐you‐cant‐ignore Weaknesses example: 16 Useless Infographics http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/gallery/2013/aug/01/16‐useless‐infographics
4 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
Visual article Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses one story, multiple graphic elements A full‐length “Final deliverable Covers an entire topic Article quality contingent upon narrative on one should include a visual rather than just one trifecta of designer ability, topic expressed article infographic aspect. availability of data, and visual through multiple describing the program content—though you could say visual elements. background by the same about any of these illustrating statistical visuals, really. changes in the gender composition of local governance units over the past twenty years.” Example: A Visual Guide to Article Optimization http://visual.ly/visual‐guide‐article‐optimization
Flowchart Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses describing a process Diagram that “As part of evaluation Documents a process for Complicated processes can be illustrates a process. methodology, communication to others. tricky to document and contractor will observe interpret; see below. and document the process of registering newly arrived internally displaced persons for inclusion in the deliverables as a flowchart.”
Example: Lamp Quality Control Flowchart http://www.brighthubpm.com/methods‐strategies/97835‐working‐with‐flowcharts‐for‐tqm/ Weaknesses example: Afghanistan Stability http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/apr/29/mcchrystal‐afghanistan‐powerpoint‐slide
5 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
Useful bait Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses reference tool, web attention seeker A reference tool, “Deliverables will Simple visual instructions If it does visual explanation, or include useful bait meant to attract an “go viral” and your website otherwise utilitarian infographic, Five ways audience; designed to “go doesn’t have the bandwidth, graphic often used to to link smallholder viral” if that’s what you’re prepare for a crash. Not increase website farmers to markets, after. intended for time sensitive traffic. provided in .jpg format information or to provide a for implementing novel form of analysis. partner website.”
Example: 18 Ways to Tie a Necktie
Data visualization Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses complex data analysis via graphics Graphical “Contractor will Easier to absorb large Lots of potential for misleading representation of propose ideas in the amounts of information. audiences. Can be confusing, data designed to evaluation Relationships and patterns distracting, overly complex, visually communicate methodology for are easier to detect. ambiguous, hideous, or many a unique analysis for interactive online data other terrible adjectives. descriptive or visualization about exploratory emergency response purposes. management written in JavaScript and based on given data sets.” Example: Understanding Malaria http://arcadenw.org/article/scientific‐visualization
6 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
Versus infographic Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses comparing two things Visual comparison of “Contractor will Can assist the decision‐ Limited to comparison of two two things. address pros and cons making process by things—any more can be a of cold storage presenting pros and cons jumble. provision compared to of two alternate options. food preservation through smoking or chemical methods as part of the value chain analysis and provide versus infographic
documenting any cost‐ benefit discrepancies.” Example: Facebook vs. Television http://visual.ly/facebook‐vs‐television
Photo infographic Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses one topical object Realistic photo with “Final deliverables to Simple, powerful design. Contingent upon audience text and numbers to include solar irrigation interest and a compelling image. describe an issue or photo infographic answer a question. summary of project outcomes to date.”
Example: The Facts Behind Oil Prices http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/energy/images/infographic‐whats‐behind‐oil‐prices_small.jpg
7 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
One‐pager Description Statement of work Strengths Weaknesses a one‐page summary of the evaluation A very, very brief “Final deliverables to Time‐saving essentials of Loss of detail. version of the include one‐pager in the evaluation. evaluation. the attached format detailing evaluation information, any additional evaluation questions raised by implementing partners following the conclusion of the evaluation period, and a summary of project outcomes, achievements, unachieved project objectives, and any recorded externalities arising from project implementation as of mid‐term.”
Example: Author‐created
8 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
A Listing of References and Resources from the Webinar In order of appearance
Creating your own infographic after the evaluation has concluded Visual article Tool
Website http://piktochart.com/
Creating your own infographic after the evaluation has concluded Timeline Tool
Website https://templates.office.com/
Creating your own infographic after the evaluation has concluded Photo infographic Tool
Website https://www.canva.com/
9 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
One‐pager with a process model Open Data in the Governance of South African Higher Education Example
Website http://www.opendataresearch.org/sites/default/files/publications/UCT%20A1%20Poster%20for%20Berlin%20PRINT%20%28 1%29.pdf
Using text and color only 50 Breakthroughs; Institute for Globally Transformative Technologies, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Example
Website https://ligtt.org/sites/all/files/page/50BTs‐List.pdf
Visualize responsibly 16 Useless Infographics; The Guardian Example
Website http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/gallery/2013/aug/01/16‐useless‐infographics
10 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
Visualize responsibly Data Visualization Checklist, Stephanie Evergreen Tips
Website http://stephanieevergreen.com/dataviz‐checklist/
Visualize responsibly Lada Adamic’s network map of links between Republican and Democrat blogs in the run‐up to the 2004 election Example
Website (via) http://social‐physics.net/category/network‐analysis/
External resources Chartsbin Maps
Website http://chartsbin.com/
11 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
External resources Coursera Courses
Website https://www.coursera.org/
External resources Over 100 Incredible Infographic Tools and Resources Tools
Website http://dailytekk.com/2012/02/27/over‐100‐incredible‐infographic‐tools‐and‐resources/
External resources Alberto Cairo, blog, The Functional Art Tips
Website http://www.thefunctionalart.com/
12 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
External resources Visual.ly, blog Tips
Website http://blog.visual.ly/category/visualization/
Internal resources USAID Foreign Aid Explorer Data, maps
Website explorer.devtechlab.com
Internal resources USAID GeoCenter ArcGIS
Website http://www.arcgis.com/home/group.html?owner=usaidgeocenter&title=USAID%20GeoCenter
13 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected]. Webinar: Accelerating Evaluation Use Through Infographics and Visual Design
Internal resources USAID Interactive Map Maps
Website http://map.usaid.gov/
Internal resources USAID Developer Resources Data extraction, APIs
Website http://www.usaid.gov/developer
Knowledge Value Chain Tim Powell, Competing in the Knowledge Economy Diagram
Website http://www.knowledgevaluechain.com/
14 Prepared for USAID, PPL LER by Jessica R Pomerantz, March 2015. Comments, questions? Email [email protected].