This document provides instructions for Project 3, which asks students to create an infographic conveying scientific information to a non-scientific audience. Students must identify a scientific subject, data set, or process to visualize; an intended lay audience; and design their infographic using principles of visual communication like color theory and Gestalt design. The infographic will be graded based on how well it conveys significant scientific information tailored for a non-expert audience in a clear, compelling visual format.

1. ENGL 318/JAMM 328 | pg 1
PROJECT 3
[Visualizing Science]
100 points. First draft due by class time, 3/07; final draft due by 11:59 p.m.
3/09.
The ability to convey information visually has become increasingly important
in the era of Web-based communication. But since visuals communicate very
differently than text, we need to learn skills specific to visual
communication, including color theory, Gestalt design theory, charts/graphs,
and the CRAP HATS principles.
PROJECT DELIVERABLE
In this project, you will build important data visualization skills by creating
an infographic that conveys scientific information clearly and concisely to a
non-scientific audience.
To do this, you should take the following steps:
1.Identify a subject for your infographic. To identify the subject of your
infographic, you might consider the advice of Nathan Pearlman, a data
visualization expert: “Work with data and stories that have potential to
impact public policy or to educate people about things they care about.” For
your infographic, you might choose to visualize an article (you could use the
ones you worked with for Project 1 and Project 2, or you could choose a
different one); or you might look more broadly at patterns or trends,
differences, similarities, cause/effect relationships etc.
Your infographic might
 Visualize an article,
 Explain a scientific process or concept,
 Give the history of a scientific idea,
 Compare two competing scientific concepts, or
 Inform readers about a new process or finding.
Another way to explore the data is to interrogate it by asking questions. For
example, if you were working on an infographic about climate change, you
might ask a data set covering the numbers of tornadoes by year, “how many
tornadoes occurred in 2013 compared to other years?”

2. ENGL 318/JAMM 328 | pg 2
2. Identify an audience for your infographic. Once you have an idea for
the story you want to tell, you will want to identify the non-scientific
audience for your infographic. What is at stake in the scientific “story” you’re
presenting to this audience?
3. Create your infographic. As the blog Visual News points out, the best
infographics are created when a story comes first. In a completed piece,
every data point, piece of copy, and design element should support the
story. Keep the following goals in mind when designing your infographic:
 Engage the reader with an interesting title and subtitles.
 Provide context for the data.
 Guide the reader through the graphic with visual cues.
 Apply principles of effective design (Gestalt theory, color, and CRAP
HATS principles).
 Highlight notable findings/insights.
 Provide a clear call to action.
 Cite your sources (include a section at the end).
My VERY STRONG advice is to sketch the infographic elements on a plain
piece of paper (or other means) before trying to actually create it, since
there will be a learning curve with new technology that may distract you
from your purpose in creating the infographic.
GRADING CHART
Significance of information visualized. The data set or
research question is significant and interesting. Enough evidence
is provided to support and substantiate the purpose of the
infographic. The information and data provided is up-to-date,
specific, and believable. Sources are cited at the end of the
infographic.
25
points
Attention to audience. The information provided in the
infographic is well-tailored for a lay audience. It's clearly relevant
to their purposes and presented in a way that's clear and
understandable. Scientific jargon is kept to a minimum.
25
points
Clarity of purpose ("story" or argument). The
purpose/story/argument of the infographic is immediately clear
through the title, context, organization, and visual elements of the
infographic. The viewer doesn't have to struggle to make sense of
the main point.
25
points
Compelling visual design. The visual hierarchy of information is
very clear (i.e., the most important information is obvious and
25
points

3. ENGL 318/JAMM 328 | pg 3
easily accessible). The graphics and images convey information
effectively, without being confusing. The colors, typography, and
alignment all help to convey the message without being
distracting.
TOTAL 100
points