Effective data visual representation is key to exposing truths about mental health. Ideally, an effective infographic relays dense information in a digestible manner. This is especially important for winter mental health because it is a highly universal phenomenon. Because of this, an ideal infographic on this topic should be visually appealing and cater to a wide audience.
Infographic 1:
I found this infographic to be useful to give a wide overview of SAD. This disorder is a key point of focus for a few of my posts. Often winter in the PNW can mean that symptoms of SAD arise for many. This can be overwhelming and concerning depending on its severity, however to have a basic understanding on the reasons why you may feel symptoms of SAD is important to identifying and implementing solutions.
The pictures on this infographic I felt were especially effective. The picture of the state of Michigan to represent the amount of people in the US who experience SAD was a clever addition. Saying numbers often does not hold the same weight that these types of contextualized information. It is a useful strategy to allow the audience to recognize the severity of SAD.
However I do think some of the pictures and figures are not as effective. For example, the woman’s head with the text ‘60-90%’ does not represent anything until you read the statement next to it. It does not serve a purpose as a stand alone figure. I also wish there were more visualized data elements such as a graph or chart on the infographic.
Infographic 2
This infographic stood out to me because of its strong call to action. The organization created a solution to inactivity during cold months by presenting parks and recreation centers as hubs for unique and fun winter activities. It also is much smaller than the previous infographic allowing the audience to quickly derive the message and critical information.
I was also interested in the assertion that people in the west are more active in the winter. This was surprising because often the western regions of the US experience the most severe winter weather. Maybe it is more closely connected to culture. It is possible that those in the west have built strategies to get outside in the winter through an activity oriented culture. For example, activities such as skiing are more popularized in the west.
For building my own infographic I hope to include visuals that tell a story in themselves. The words on my infographic should serve as clarification not as the key source of information. Also I will incorporate a specific call to action to act as a guide to determine what type of data points I need to include.
Sources:
Jack Skidmore 
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