A WONDERFULLY DEDICATED RESEARCH TEAM AT THE KIRBY INSTITUTE brought me on board to help create a set of 11 information graphics for an important medical study in Africa featuring informed consent through images.
The Kirby Institute is a medical research organisation affiliated with the University of New South Wales that specialises in infectious diseases research. The study aimed to trial a new combination of existing medicine in order to improve the quality of life of people who were not responding as well as they could to regular treatments.
The information graphics were developed in very close consultation with the Kirby Institute’s research team, UNSW ethics committees and local researchers in Africa. After a rigorous academic process, they were shown to participants in conjunction with a verbal consultation explaining all details of the study. The aim was for people to come away knowing all requirements, choices and options and feel completely empowered in their decision making.
The graphics were designed specifically to communicate with people who had limited literacy, so it was important to explain exactly what the trial study involved in a clear and concise visual way. Additionally, the graphics had to be culturally relevant and gender inclusive. A complete set of graphics for a future trial study in India was also created based on this template.
I thought it was important to use a particular colour palette to convey a calm and positive mood, despite the clinical nature of the trial. I also wanted to pay special attention to the character’s facial expressions and body gestures in order to relate to the participant’s frame of mind and communicate certain actions. I included items breaking out of their circular frame to make it more dynamic and hold their attention. The study was well received on the ground in Africa with potential for future development and applications.