I designed a series of infographics for Equimundo's "Many Ways of Being" curriculum to reinforce and expand key concepts in its lessons. The infographics are designed to spark discussion on Instagram with past, present, and future student participants. This strategy is currently being evaluated, along with Many Ways' in-person sessions, for their ability to change minds, build confidence, and build new, health-affirming habits.
The use of familiar references, such as the Periodic Table of Elements, the anatomy of a weed, and even a cheeseburger, harnesses a long established storytelling technique. Just as skilled storytellers rely on archetypes to quickly acquaint readers with their characters, these infographics help readers draw connections. By tapping into their existing knowledge of the Periodic Table, the botany of a weed, or the versatility of a burger and all its toppings, our audience is already well on their way to understanding new concepts.
The best storytellers know that archetypes are just a starting point. Rather than oversimplify, archetypes done right are a mold from which to build complexity, a scaffolding that allows the reader to reach greater depths of meaning.
With any luck, these infographics allow our readers to reach greater depths of understanding, too. For example, in two posts, we chart traditional gender roles in a fantasy-style map. This analogy helps us suggest how gender divides the full range of the human condition into arbitrary territories, is bound or limited by social borders, and most perhaps crucially, may be expanded at its frontiers. Captions (not pictured) emphasize these points.
Design research played a pivotal role in our strategy's concept and creation. Focus groups, in-depth interviews, and A/B testing with youth allowed us to gain valuable insights into audience expectations regarding learning modes, social platforms, visual style, and more.
