Catalyzing affordable housing with infographics

Photo by Matt Hanns Schroeter on Unsplash

Date 2017

ClientBoldt Communications

Work TypeInfographics

Team

In partnership with Boldt Communications: Lesli Boldt, communications strategist & writer; Hilary Samson, project manager; Lisa Hemingway, lead designer; Madelen Ortega, quality assurance; Keiko Lee-Hem, graphic design support

We created infographics for Catalyst Community Developments Society to communicate their unique model of creating affordable housing and new community spaces.

Sticky Notes process board — In the beginning of an infographic project, we use rough mock-ups to get clear on what content is needed where. This preliminary stage allows us to consider visual themes and create content hierarchy.

Communication design challenge

Catalyst Community Developments Society is a BC-based, not-for-profit real estate developer, dedicated to building vibrant, affordable, and inspiring rental properties for living and working. They specialize in partnerships with mission-aligned community organizations, non-profits, municipal governments, and market developers.

Our client, Boldt Communications, engaged iilo to help Catalyst tell their story visually. Using only their logo as a kick-off point for their brand, we engaged in collaborative discussions to clarify their brand identity and storytelling challenges. Through an iterative process, we produced a set of infographics that captured the tone for their vision and clearly explained their progressive business model.

Sticky note business understanding — Once the main concepts start to come together, we often take away pieces and work on creating structure, and in this case, icons to communicate key concepts.

Graphics with written notes of important elements — We usually create a mood board to help direct the brand look/feel and focus in on what kind of infographic we’d like to design (comparative data, narrative story, timeline, pathway, etc.).

Outcomes

We helped illustrate distinguishing features that make this non-profit developer unlike any other. With custom visual tools to effectively tell their story, Catalyst is able to attract greater investments in affordable housing and community spaces, and achieve long-term financial sustainability.