As the Creative Director on “North Carolina Policy Solutions,” I played a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity and layout of a comprehensive policy document for the John Locke Foundation. My objective was to design a document that not only made complex information clear and accessible but also underscored the Foundation’s commitment to promoting economic freedom and good governance in North Carolina. The idea was that legislators and policy experts would keep it on their desks and reference it throughout a period of 2 years.
My responsibility included several key areas:
- Visual Style Conceptualization: I crafted a clean, professional aesthetic that resonated with the report’s tone and aligned with the Foundation’s brand identity.
- Layout Design: I developed an intuitive layout that facilitated easy navigation through detailed data, policy analyses, and recommendations, ensuring readers could engage with the content effortlessly.
- Art Direction: I curated and integrated visual elements, such as infographics, charts, and tables, to complement the content, making the information more engaging and easier to comprehend.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: I led the design team and worked closely with researchers and copywriters to ensure the design supported the report’s objectives and enhanced the overall user experience.
The final product was a polished, visually cohesive report that effectively communicated public policy solutions while maintaining strong aesthetic appeal. This project not only highlighted my expertise in information design but also showcased my skills in content strategy, design research, and collaboration, culminating in a professional and impactful publication.
A distinctive feature of the “North Carolina Policy Solutions 2020” report was the strategic use of color coding to enhance readability and organization. Each major policy area—such as Budget & Taxation, Education, Healthcare, and Regulation—was assigned a unique color palette. This system allowed readers to easily navigate the report and quickly identify sections of interest.
For instance:
- Budget & Taxation: Utilized shades of green, symbolizing financial growth and sustainability.
- Healthcare: Marked by shades of blue, representing trust and stability.
- Education: Featured vibrant oranges, reflecting energy and creativity in learning.
- Regulation: Employed shades of red, signifying importance and the need for careful oversight.
The report’s graphics were meticulously designed to prioritize clarity and precision. Infographics, charts, and tables were tailored to each section’s visual identity, ensuring that complex data was presented in an accessible and engaging manner. We used a blend of bar graphs, pie charts, and custom illustrations to visually represent statistical information, policy impacts, and recommendations.
This thoughtful integration of color and graphic design not only elevated the report’s overall aesthetics but also enhanced the reader’s ability to absorb and retain key information. The result was a visually cohesive document that aligned with the John Locke Foundation’s commitment to clear, research-driven policy analysis.
The successful redesign was so well-received that it was adopted for subsequent editions in 2022 and 2024.
