Knowledge Mobilization and Design, Part 1
At the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness our goal is to make research accessible, understandable and relevant to our audience. Our research outputs include many layers of content designed in collaboration with researchers, graphic designers and communications specialists.
We know people access information in different ways. When it comes time to mobilize research, we produce a variety of smaller, more digestible pieces of content based on the original, which we refer to as ‘layers’. For example, for a report we might also produce a short video, an infographic and a blog post. This approach to content creation allows our audience to gain an overview of the work from an infographic or a tweet, and then dive deeper into the full report if they wish. It also allows us to create more content for a variety of channels, all of which point back to the main source.
The COH’s Layered Approach to Knowledge Mobilization
Graphic design is important to these layers of content. Not only does it ensure a cohesive look between all of these layers of content, visually tying them back to the main source, but it also has the potential to widen the research’s reach and impact. Compelling, well-constructed visuals are integral to any knowledge mobilization strategy.
In the video below, COH’s Director of Communications, Steph Vasko, outlines our collaborative knowledge mobilization approach and shares examples of how COH’s researchers and designers have worked together to visualize research.
Resources
- Illustrating Data: How Collaboration Can Help You Tell Better Stories (Steph Vasko, Canadian Observatory on Homelessness)
- Knowledge Mobilization toolkit: Doing more with what you know (Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health)
- Case study: Design of A New Direction: A Framework for Homelessness Prevention (Steph Vasko, Hub Solutions)
- Case study: Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey (Steph Vasko, Hub Solutions)