There is an “a” thing that we don’t quite know if its a typo or not, it has a dash over it.
We like your info graphic!
Creating and managing compost are very similar topics, but yours focuses more on the beginning of the process, we feel. Maybe along with the do’s and dont’s picture, include connections to good sources of nitrogen and good sources of carbon?
What: The infographic uses a mixture of words and images to convey ideas which helps to explain ideas. The infographic assumes that readers know nothing about composting, so the track of ideas begins at “Can you compost at home?,” which is square one in my mind. The creativity comes in the natural color scheme; it feels very organic. It feels warm and welcoming also.
• Gut: I feel very relaxed reading it, but I am also curious. It is a bit of a maze/puzzle, with a new result each time. What surprised me is how they addressed EVERY situation.
• So What: I had not realized how many different ways to compost there were at home. They effectively engage me, as even if a route does not concern/include me, I am still inclined to read through and learn about a new way. The creator wanted to inform that there is a way to compost for everyone, and they did that.
• Now What: They have not considered that some college kids do not care about composting, but this was likely not their audience. We are only offering one way to compost, but we can use visually stimulating patterns and natural color schemes to hold attention and contain an earthy feeling.
Looked good overall. You could add more detail with each step –> maybe address why each step should be taken. You could add more graphics to make the page more appealing.
What: The infographic is clearly organized, presenting information concisely without cluttering the page or appearing over complicated. The information is exctly suited to the audience, having been presented on a site specifically about soils and composting. As for the creativity, the information is presented in an attractive, earthy layout – creative and interesting to look at but not overwhelming to the audience
• Gut: I was a bit disappointed the the graphic focused on fear-mongering moreso than it did on offering information on direct solutions – ie how the issues are to be solved moreso than who should solve them, though I was happy to be able to learn from the graphic.
• So What: I hadn’t thought about soil being technically non renewable due to the difficulty and slow speed of creating it from decomposing materials, and the amount of energy nearly always lost during the process. I think this was the perspective the creator was looking for – an increased urgency about the matters of disappearing soil across the world. The data came from the UN’s Food and Agriculture organization – a resource we are sure to engage with in class.
• Now What: I don’t believe our students have realized just how important soil is, and how quickly it is slipping away from us – mostly because we’ve been focused on how it is used and restored, not how it is currently being destroyed. This information can be used to tug at heartstrings and increase the understood importance of preserving and restoring soil.
What: This infographic is intellectually stimulating mostly because of the statistic it gives in the beginning to create interest. It’s relevant to the audience because of the sorts of information it gives- it is fairly simplistic and chooses to include specific products that normal people would not know whether could be composted. It’s creative not in the info but rather in the design- the colors and sections are nice to look at and easy to read.
Gut: This infographic makes the reader feel happy- the front is super flowery and pretty. I was surprised at some of the things it said could/ couldn’t be composted (like horse manure, meat scraps, and certain types of lumber.
So What: I hadn’t thought of all of the things that could be composted or the amount of residential waste that is biodegradable- I definitely thought it would be less. The creator was hoping the reader would get that perspective- that it’s not hard but would make a big difference. I don’t know what kind of sources they used, but I’m guessing basic searches online. We could find this data during class by listing what is important to know then googling those facts.
Now What: They haven’t considered how to compost at all. To people that do it, it does seem like a simple process and it would be hard to fit all of this information on a small infographic. We can try to either create separate infographics or make one with very basic information on it and possibly a link to all of the other important info to read over.
The infographic is intellectually stimulating in that along the top border, the piece describes the benefits that stem from composting, composing a compelling a composing argument that leaves almost no room for the viewer to disagree. In doing so, it convinces the audience that each and every person can contribute to the environment through the composting process. By using a simple step-by-step format with clear instructions, paired with modern and minimalistic designs, PBS Nature has creatively displayed the ease with which one can compost. The organic color scheme draws the viewer in without distracting from the vital information the infographic seeks to communicate. As far as a gut response, the graphics are pleasing and nothing aesthetically sticks out in a negative way. I was surprised by some the green and brown compostable materials, particularly lint, as I did not think such a material could hold any form of value in relation to composting. Overall, the infographic is quite pleasing, so they were no particularly strong, negative emotions I associated with the message. In all honesty, as we have been discussing composting so heavily in class, there is nothing that seems particularly groundbreaking. I believe the infographic’s purpose is to communicate the ease with which one can compost, and it is quite successful. There are no sources listed; however, the infographic is a direct product of PBS Nature, which is a trustworthy source on its own. It might’ve been nice if they had listed further sources for people to do more of their own research, but I don’t believe it is vital to the communication of the message. This infographic is obviously geared towards adults who live in their own houses with some form of a yard to keep an outside compost pile. University students do not have the same resources. There is a multitude of issues that the infographic doesn’t address when it comes to university living, but because the ad is not geared towards university students that is to be expected. Thus, in terms of creating our own infographics, we obviously need to take university restrictions into consideration while still communicating the information in a simple, understandable way.
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For the 3 characteristics of effective informative delivery: The infographic is intellectually stimulating in the way it makes the reader decide what it is that they’re looking for in their composting solution. The flow chart style also makes it more personal and relevant to each person looking at it. The reader can get only the information that THEY need from it. This let’s each person focus on the essential parts to them. The infographic also shows creativity in it’s design. Not many infographics I found were flowcharts. It also uses simple language that’s fun and easy to follow.
Overall, I was very pleased with the entire infographic. It was so easy to read and the information it delivered was helpful. Composting can be an overwhelming concept especially getting started. This infographic takes out all the hard work of deciding how to get started and boils it down to just a few simple questions. The only thing that may have been even better is if somewhere near the bottom it had a description of what the different composting options were and how to do them. The colors, font, and drawings help make the infographic cute and unintimidating.
A lot of these concepts for composting I had not even considered or heard of. I really appreciated getting to see the variety of options out there. This widened my perspective to how there’s not really any excuse not to compost since it can be done in some form no matter the circumstances. There aren’t really any sources on the infographic and more seems to be the author’s thoughts on what would work best. I don’t know how helpful this would actually be for our class composting project. The university seems to already have in mind what way they want to compost, so I don’t think they’d need this infographic to help decide how they want to compost.