Tailoring infographics on water resources through iterative, user-centered design: A case study in the Peruvian Andes
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Grainger, Sam
Ochoa-Tocachi, Boris F
Antiporta, Javier
Dewulf, A
Buytaert, Wouter
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Effective communication and knowledge sharing across stakeholder groups (e.g., science, government, business, civil society, farmers, and the general public) are essential for more informed water resource management. Visualizations and graphics are powerful tools to engage diverse groups with unfamiliar information. Despite this potential, the design of visuals within applied science settings often does not involve end‐user interaction or explicit consideration of their existing knowledge systems, perspective, requirements, and context of use. As a result, products are often difficult for users to understand and contextualize. While user interaction and the development of tailored visualizations is increasingly promoted as a potential remedy, limited empirical evidence exists that shows the potential impact and can guide the development of specific approaches. We piloted an iterative and user‐centered design methodology toward the tailoring of infographic‐style posters in the context of Peruvian water governance. To test whether tailoring demonstrably improves the perceived effectiveness of products, we designed three products that conveyed similar information but were tailored to three different audiences (an Andean agricultural, urban professional, and urban general). We then compared the tailored posters to those tailored to other audiences by means of interviews and user grading. We found that end‐users perceive products that have undergone tailoring as more interesting, clearer, and more useful than products designed without explicit user consideration. Our findings indicate that identifying groups with shared characteristics and requirements is key for effective tailoring. Our research provides empirical evidence to support the incorporation of user‐centered design methods in water resource management contexts.
Date Issued
2020-03-01
Date Acceptance
2020-01-26
Citation
Water Resources Research, 2020, 56 (2)
ISSN
0043-1397
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Journal / Book Title
Water Resources Research
Volume
56
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
©2020. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Sponsor
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Imperial College London
Natural Environment Research Council [2006-2012]
Grant Number
NE/K010239/1
President's PhD Scholarship
NE/L002515/1
Subjects
0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
0905 Civil Engineering
0907 Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN e2019WR026694
Date Publish Online
2020-02-03