Beyond the Final Report: A Visual Communication Specialist’s Take
In my role as a communications specialist and graphic designer focusing on data visualization and participatory approaches, I believe that effective evaluation communication is not only about delivering a final product. It is about embedding visual thinking, stakeholder dialogue, and co-creation throughout the evaluation process.
On collaboration with local staff or external partners
Early involvement of local communication staff, field teams, or partners ensures that the visuals we produce (such as evaluation briefs, infographics, or videos) are truly adapted to the context and audience. In one project, we worked with local staff to design and translate two briefs and a video into the local language. The result was stronger ownership and greater willingness to use the findings later. Planning visuals together also helps identify preferences (digital or print, language, icons, colours) and prevents the usual last-minute “make it look nice” rush.
On low-cost or no-cost strategies for accessible and engaging sharing
Live illustration during workshops: a digital or print visual “harvest” of stakeholders’ voices, captured on the spot and shared immediately.
Modular templates: design icons, layouts, and colour systems once, then reuse them across different outputs (posters, slides, summary infographics) to save time and resources.
Micro-content versions: short animations, social media posts, or one-page visuals that serve as entry points to longer reports, making findings more visible and shareable without requiring extensive production.
Why this matters
When communication is integrated from the beginning rather than added at the end, it shifts evaluation away from a compliance exercise and towards learning and action. As Silvio noted, “communication is the bridge between evidence and action.” Early visual facilitation and collaboration help evaluations become tools for adaptive management, rather than documents that remain unused on websites.
What I have found challenging
Time and budget constraints often relegate visuals to a “nice to have” category at the end of an evaluation. Without early planning, visual design becomes rushed and less effective. Measuring whether a visual output actually supports decision-making also remains challenging. Metrics such as clicks or downloads are easy to track, but it is more difficult to assess whether staff are referencing or reusing visuals in their work.
In sum
Designing for understanding, participation, and reuse requires thinking visually, early, and collaboratively. As graphic designers working within the evaluation field, we have the opportunity to make findings not only visible, but also meaningful and actionable.
Italy
Chiara Raccichini
Knowledge Management and Communications
World Food Programne
Posted on 07/11/2025
Beyond the Final Report: A Visual Communication Specialist’s Take
In my role as a communications specialist and graphic designer focusing on data visualization and participatory approaches, I believe that effective evaluation communication is not only about delivering a final product. It is about embedding visual thinking, stakeholder dialogue, and co-creation throughout the evaluation process.
On collaboration with local staff or external partners
Early involvement of local communication staff, field teams, or partners ensures that the visuals we produce (such as evaluation briefs, infographics, or videos) are truly adapted to the context and audience. In one project, we worked with local staff to design and translate two briefs and a video into the local language. The result was stronger ownership and greater willingness to use the findings later. Planning visuals together also helps identify preferences (digital or print, language, icons, colours) and prevents the usual last-minute “make it look nice” rush.
On low-cost or no-cost strategies for accessible and engaging sharing
Why this matters
When communication is integrated from the beginning rather than added at the end, it shifts evaluation away from a compliance exercise and towards learning and action. As Silvio noted, “communication is the bridge between evidence and action.” Early visual facilitation and collaboration help evaluations become tools for adaptive management, rather than documents that remain unused on websites.
What I have found challenging
Time and budget constraints often relegate visuals to a “nice to have” category at the end of an evaluation. Without early planning, visual design becomes rushed and less effective. Measuring whether a visual output actually supports decision-making also remains challenging. Metrics such as clicks or downloads are easy to track, but it is more difficult to assess whether staff are referencing or reusing visuals in their work.
In sum
Designing for understanding, participation, and reuse requires thinking visually, early, and collaboratively. As graphic designers working within the evaluation field, we have the opportunity to make findings not only visible, but also meaningful and actionable.