The Home Energy Score
Project 1: Resonating Facts
A consumer psychology and data presentation research project. This client-based project was proposed by Tim Carryer.
The final pieces. You can also visit this page on my website to view the images along with the slideshow presentation I made for Tim and a brief summary of the project.
1.18.2016 | Conceptualizing Data & Finding a Message
After researching Energy Efficiency through readings and meeting with the client, I was met with an information overload of material on a subject I am not that familiar with. I needed to begin thinking about entry-points, flow, and message for Pennsylvania residents.
Unsure of where to begin, I decided that a message can be created by looking at motivations, stakeholders, methods, problems, and solutions. Before doing this, I was inspired by the way that fellow classmate, Bettina Chou, had began with what motivates residents and worked to create messages that would fit their needs. I found myself a lot more comfortable with this starting point and began adding post-it notes with ideas that I felt fit the different sections.
Finally, with lots of information, I began to strategize about different methods to take to convey the message by combining the post-it note problems, motivations, methods, and solutions in various orders.
I chose 9 of my favorite solution iterations (the pink post-its) and placed them on a sheet of cardboard. Read as a column, the post-it notes beneath represent the method being taken, the problem being solved, and then how it would motivate Residents. Conceptualizing the data in this manner helped me to tread a few paths through such an abundance of information. After making this, I felt more comfortable with the data, yet the “solutions” still seem too generic. Since the deliverable for the project has not yet been clarified, I thought it best to explore as many different options as possible before binding myself to just one solution and trying to make it work once the deliverable is decided.
In terms of what media to be used, Tim told us we could use door-to-door print pieces or digital-whichever we prefer. I feel that both should be used so that the material on Energy Efficiency is very present and easily accessible.
Of the materials Tim gave us to look at, I felt that this one worked best. What I like about it is the tone and how it identifies that what people care about are motivations such as comfort, energy costs, health, etc. It also is very successful in clarifying information in a way that anyone can understand. It is definitely not too esoteric. I would like my project to have a similar tone since I feel that this one would work for our middle-ground home-owner stakeholders. Yet, I want to be more creative in my story-telling and also have a different, more current and eye-catching, aesthetic for my take on this project.
Here’s what I imagine (thinking of this as an animation):
There’s a home that is beautiful on the outside with a “For Sale” sign on it. Maybe even with a dramatized sparkle effect on it. However, the viewer watches as houses in the neighborhood are sold, while this one ages with that “For Sale” sign still in front. Why? How could that home not sell?
The frame that contains the home suddenly becomes a window open on a computer screen with it’s big, ugly Home Energy Label prominently displayed. This home is of low value because of the fact that it’s not energy efficient.
Then, like clicking on areas of the house- we zoom into physical areas of the home that explain why its score is so low, keying in on aspects that cause health problems and also just very harmful outdated appliances. As they click on the areas again, they fix themselves and appear aesthetically beautiful. The Home Energy Score of the home goes up with each improvement.
After zooming out and seeing the home at small-scale again, we enter into the window again (no longer seeing the computer screen.) We watch the “For Sale” sign being taken down as someone buys the home.
Showing that there are various different things that can be improved to fix an Energy Efficiency score, it becomes obvious that this doesn’t have to be done all at once, but rather, it could be done in steps. This makes it seem more doable, especially to DIYers.
This method appeals to different levels of pathos: the concern for their home’s aesthetics but also value, the want for a healthy life in their home, and then the encouragement that it is possible to improve their home.
1.19.2016 | Post-Class Reflection
Today, we discussed what the deliverable it is. Breaking down the project into a system of what is needed and what we are trying to accomplish has allowed me to have more direction and a better idea of what I want my message to be.
The message components are the Buy-In and Incentivizing Process, an HES example, and an example of “Next Steps.” The goal is to encourage people to get mini-audits, even though this does not yet exists in Pennsylvania.
We spent time walking around the room and being inspired by each others’ post-it notes and early concepts. I wrote down a few that I thought looked promising, but wish I had more time to explore what other people have considered as solutions. Stacie also suggested a new way to use post-its for next class, which is creating a linear story out of the components of the message. This will be much simpler now that we have discussed with our client about what he hopes to see us deliver to him. I am looking forward to trying the post-it activity with a refreshed and better-informed eye.
To Do List:
- figure out message type(guilt, empathy, etc.)
- figure out communication strategy
- new and more informed take on a linear story through post-it notes
- start sketching out communication strategies
1.20.2016 | My Story’s Message
After some sketchbook exploration, I was able to decide that the approach I want to take is one that causes fear about the health of their home environment but is also empowering on how they can improve it by raising their HES.
My primary tactic for the Buy-In is an “unfolding narrative.” It is an interactive booklet that exposes health concerns that exist in the home. Knowing that my audience is middle-class home-owners, I need to make sure that despite it being interactive, it does not appear juvenile. I think I need to keep simplicity and trust-worthiness in mind. It can be playful, but clarity and ease of understanding is at the foremost of importance.
The home is compared to a house that has a 10 on the HES scale. The booklet then encourages that improve your quality of life, savings, and also value of your home, you should get a HES.
I also included in my linear message, a redesigned HES form. It then leads into potential “next steps” to follow. It plays off of current things included in the form, like “Repair Now and Replace Later”, but emphasizes them. Most of the aspects of this are to encourage the Home-Owner. However, at the end, there is a timeline of “What Happens If You Do Nothing?” This brings back the fear element of the initial Buy-In in order to encourage HES improvement.
1.20.2016 | Sketching Communication Strategies
I did some quick sketches on how to communicate my message. I enjoyed speaking with my classmates Steven, Anqi, and Nina and figuring out together what we should spend time on. We think the diagram and using communication strategies are key to this assignment. We also talked about how quantities in “Next Steps” could be really beneficial.
12.21.2016 Post-Class Reflection
Today was refreshing and I left feeling very confident in knowing what’s going on. We shared the methods that we are considering and I was able to narrow my message into “Fixing Safety Issues.” I like the way this sums up what I have been trying to say when talking about Fear and Empowering to fix health hazards that exist in the home.
To Do This Weekend:
- Solidify Message Types/Finalize Plan Strategy
- Think about colors, type, and visual style
To Do By Tuesday:
- Content
- Actual Sketches Printed Out
- Working On Pieces of the Message
1.24.2016 | Weekend Progress
Quick Color & Type Exploration
Visual Style Inspiration
I love the way line illustrations are clean, trustworthy, and friendly. I also feel like they will be good in illustrating a home and making it seem legitimate. I didn’t want to do flat design for this project.
A worry I have is that the line drawings may be too impersonal? If so, I can try another style, like perhaps flat design.
Strategy I Will be Taking
- Booklet Sort of Like a Decision Tree
Answer to questions is always no, which leads you to the next page.
Administered from the Dep of Energy.
Questions about health hazards from energy inefficiency in the home. (ex: Have you had your walls insulated? This can lead to blah…..)
Illustrations/Diagrams
Includes general checklist of things to do- Next Steps - Redesigned HES
Personalized Next Steps
Quantitative info about the home
Print Version/Online/Mobile
Ability to see the way you can have an effect on the home through improvements - IF TIME (which I hope I have): Animated Promo Decision Tree
Info from Step 1
Presented as Kinetic Typography with maybe a bit of Illustration
For Social Media, TV Commercials, Website- building publicity
To Do Tomorrow:
- look through new things from client and Stacie
- content!! ^that may help
- further investigation into type? (Franklin Gothic Medium is currently a stand-in)
- sketch out part 1 and 2- sketchbook, and then digital
- have stuff ready to print and show Stacie
1.25.2016 | Content & Visual Strategy
I want to blend line drawings and flat design into a unique and approachable illustration style. I’m going to use texture to add some oomph to the look. Each page in the Decision Tree book asks a question and illustrates a different room. I chose to focus my storytelling on a scene in a room because it adds more context than just a hand doing an action. I decided that was important because for some of the actions (such as wall insulation), they are hard to illustrate without context. I want the background to follow a light/dark and contrast of saturation of a cool color so it fades into the back. I’m thinking of a green/blue. Then, I want a warm yellow to come forward as the foreground over the green/blue. This is a contrast of hue. I’m curious whether I should add more colors to the foreground like maybe orange or something. I want to consult with others about this.
I spent some time researching my content. I found some articles online. What I also found helpful were some of the diagrams Tim had brought to class. Though those weren’t communicating to the audience, they did have some good information.
Here is a mock-up I did of the content. I incorporated the colors I like and Meta as the font. Visuals are nowhere where they’ll be, but I wanted to throw together a quick sketch.
1.26.2016 | Teacher Feedback & New Directions
While waiting to talk to Stacie today, I worked on illustrative styles and I now feel pretty confident in the way that I want to draw this. After showing the sketches to classmates and getting their opinions, I feel confident moving forward in that direction. They also offered really valuable suggestions regarding color and style.
Content
I was considering doing a simple booklet before. But, from talking to Stacie, I learned that the questions and form of the book become too repetitive. Danae seconded that asking me, “But why should I care? So what?” I also failed to address that most home owners have done at least something to make their home more energy-efficient. I was only accounting for the “No,” answers since I thought this would make the message more powerful. But, in the style of a true decision tree, Stacie suggested allowing interactions for both “Yes” and “No.” Personally, I love this suggestion. My piece feels less like propaganda to me, and more like an interactive piece that has meaning.
Once Stacie showed me a different way to go about the booklet, I had many new ideas for how to lead the user through the story. The booklet is no longer just read downward.
I’m adjusting my story so that there is more feedback for the user. Instead of having a block of text at the end, there will be content throughout. So that if you answer “yes” or “no” to a question, you are immediately given info about what your answer means. Then, answering yes or no leads you in a specific way throughout the book.
My primary goal is to still keep the message and flow simple and clear for the user. When they get to the end of the booklet, they will reach some kind of gradient or scoring system to tally up how they did. Danae asked me “What’s your end goal? What do you want the viewer to takeaway.” I figured out that the final goal I have is for the user to get an HES. To make sure this concept hits home, information about the harms of not taking initiative is given throughout. The score gives a potential HES score. But, to figure out how they are actually doing, they are prompted at the end to get an actual HES score.
Danae also suggested having the end be a call to action- less words, and more simple. So, I’m curious whether I should try a slogan or just keep the end words short and powerful, leading them to their next steps.
Booklet Design
I experimented with new ways to go through the book. I want to keep the booklet still simple. I don’t have much, if any, experience in bookbinding, so that makes sense as a means of getting it done. But also, if this were to be printed and shipped, to be feasible, it should be pretty simple to produce.
But, I’m really enjoying exploring how to lead the user throughout the booklet, and playing with ways to track their progress! I will explore this thoroughly in the next few days.
Here’s what I have gotten to so far in class:
My Next Steps:
- adjust content to new layout
- figure out a booklet design that I really like
- start illustrating the different pages once ^that all is done — could also be nice to get this out of the way
- first iteration of HES is due on Thurs (print, and digital wireframing) — I’m guessing that THIS will be a great place to explore quantitative communication methods that Andrew has shown us in class
- Pay attention to Form and Storytelling (Stacie’s Main Advise)
Overall, I’m getting really excited about this project. It was hard in the beginning knowing where to begin. But, I’m so happy to be finally starting to make stuff, and grow from each iteration in the process.
01.27.2016 | Process on HES & Booklet
HES
I was able to make a few spreads of the HES- the front and back cover, and then the Repair Now/Replace Later/Next Steps section. I still need to work on the other pages, and then I’d like to touch of the aesthetic and content of the Next Steps. It’s too blocky and primitive looking right now. I want it to look as official as the cover does. I’m also not liking how the type looks right now. It feels very large. I’ll play with that in the next few days.
Booklet
I remade the booklet so that the interactions of opening it become more of the storytelling process. In the next few days, I will add my content and visuals. I really like the formatting of this newest booklet. It’s a lot more interesting than the simple page-flip of the same repetitive information. I’m really happy I was able to get that feedback last week.
2.1.2016 | Learning by Making
Meeting with Stacie on Friday, I showed her my paper prototype with content scribbled in and we discussed what was going on. We talked about how I had several different concepts going on, and needed to consolidate them into one. I decided on “What’s Hiding Inside Your Home” as the way to lead the viewer through my message of problem/solution message of fixing safety hazards.
We also talked about the scope of the project, and I began to see that there was not time to make a separate HES booklet. We also wondered what would go inside the inner page of the buy-in envelope. Seeing these problems spelled out allowed me to realized the potential of combining my Buy-in with my HES. The final spread that users will get to in the envelope I created is the diagram of the HES score.
After sketching in my sketchbook, I was able to finalize content, sketches of what my illustrations will be, and what my HES will look like.
02.02.2016 | Class Reflection
Today’s class was really helpful. Carolyn and I visited other people’s work and gave comments on it. This allowed us to better understand what user’s expect from a project. In addition, it gave me a better idea of where others are at.
In class today, I also received a lot of great feedback from my peers. Some of advice they offered was regarding making the HES cohesive. By Thursday, I will have a my deliverable finalized. Then, I will touch it up and make a presentation for Tuesday.
Stacie Rohrbach Are you free to meet tomorrow before 10 or after 3?
02.02.2016 | Reflecting on Comments From Peers
One thing that really stood out to me while talking to Robyn was she told me that professionals typically stick to a few font sizes. She said mine was doing a good job at that, but since this wasn’t something I was aware of before, it seems like something really valuable to know. She also gave me some suggestions on my layout, such as moving the HES diagram a bit down on the page to improve the way that hierarchically, it is the second thing that users will see.
As I look at my HES right now, I’m not sure how I feel about the dots inside the house. Right now this visual element is not cohesive with the rest of my project. I want to take the suggestion offered by Bettina of making it look like the particles are leaking out where the seal is on the doors. I think this will help add a cohesiveness to my project.
I also talked to Robyn about how I’m not sure yet about the ^ shapes, and how I’m considering making them either money stacks (to show savings) or other homes at lower opacity (to show that other homes are joining in). She thought that both of my ideas sounded good, but suggested labeling my axes to improve clarity.
Everyone that looked at my project talked to me about making the language on the inner-most flap sides cohesive with the visual language. This is the “Fixing leaks prevents Respiratory Problems” section.
What I Want to Accomplish Tonight:
- begin my Illustrations (I think from where I’m at right now, this is the most necessary but also what will take the most time to accomplish)
- HES adjustments
- suggestions by Robyn on layout and type (also adjusting my paragraph and character styles / cleaning up my Illustrator Document)
Also, I was able to purchase clear sticker paper tonight that I will use for the seal on my envelope. Deborah is letting me borrow her white sticker paper which is what I’ll use for my postage stamp.
I’m planning on for my final, creating 2 copies of my final piece — one where the envelope is sealed, and one where it is open, just to better clarify to the client how it works.
I’m also starting to wonder about how to present this to the client. Because I’m paying such attention to detail, I wonder about whether it will appear to finalized and too concrete, with no room to make adjustments? Therefore, I’d like to make my presentation as a proposition of a way of reaching residents of the Pittsburgh area. With envelopes personally addressed to residents, I think my concept reflects this. However, I’m excited to learn about presentations on Thursday, and perhaps get some tips on ways to improve my presentation.
02.03.2016 | Rough Draft
I wish that I had gotten further on my project for tomorrow, but this was as far as I was able to get while still managing to get a bit of sleep. I’ve started my illustrations, and await some feedback. I’m really excited to have finally gotten to take a stab at illustration. In my email to Stacie before starting the semester, I noted that my goals included becoming more comfortable with illustration and my tablet, and this project has given me an opportunity to try it out.
While making this iteration, I focused on color and layout. Additionally, while drawing my illustrations, I found that I really liked the idea of having the people facing away, as though the toxins in the home are creeping up behind them. Additionally, in terms of style, I decided to make the people and the object that they’re interacting with what is standing out, through the addition of line weight.
Clearly, I have a lot of refinement to do by Tuesday, but I am planning on finishing early so that I can spend Sunday and Monday putting together my presentation for Tim. I am not a fan of public speaking, so I really want to plan to have a lot of time to prepare for my presentation. I also want to have time to be finicky, so that I can make sure kerning, accuracy of pixels, etc. look good.
Printing Improvements & Failures:
I tried a new paper, at Dylan’s suggestion, that is much thinner and also learned how to print full bleed from Smillie. Unfortunately, I printed one sheet upside down, so my printing knowledge is still a work in progress. Definitely learning from my printing failures.
For my final, I’d like to print from one sheet if possible since I think gluing looks unprofessional, so maybe using the large printers will allow me to do so. I’d also like to try the color correction methods that we learned in Lab on Thursday.
02.02.2016 | Reflecting on Critiques of Current Iteration
Peer & TA Feedback
- I’m making it sound like the only step to getting a healthier home is getting an HES, but there’s more steps than that. Should I communicate that there are more steps or be more accurate in describing what getting the HES can directly cause?
- Lily F told me that when you open the envelope, it’s easy to skip the interaction of opening the rooms, since they open almost on their own. Is there a way to maybe initiate each stage of flipping through maybe another seal over the rooms leading to the HES?
- The main critique from everyone was to have the ominous bubbles inside the illustrated rooms because right now, the illustrations are really happy-looking, which is fine but only if the toxins are well-articulated. In the rooms, Danae also stressed to me the importance of having a slogan or something below/above the names of the toxin since most people don’t know what they are. Lily K reiterated this, asking me what Radon and Particulate Matter are. I need to really bang my message in throughout the booklet. Danae kept telling me that there is a lot of room in my piece to incorporate voice, so I plan on taking her advice with my wording. Going off of that, I need blurbs on the inside to explain how prevention works.
- Danae also mentioned the hierarchy problem of my list on the HES part of the booklet. Energy savings is at the top, when it should be at the bottom, as an added incentive after improving the health of your home.
- Both Lily K and Danae told me that the 5–1 scale (I changed the preexisting HES system) wasn’t working, so I am going back to that and the idea of increasing your score.
- For the HES diagram, Lily K suggested to me to make the pollutants look less polka-dotty and cute and more germy like I did for the cover of the booklet.
- I hadn’t started the illustrations on the inside, so I consulted with people on that. Danae told me it’s important to show how prevention works, so zooming in and showing hands interacting with the home is a good route to go. Showing is really important. In addition, Lily K suggested to make the inner page illustrations hierarchically less important by using the flat-design look in blue and lowering the opacity. From there, text overlaid will stand out more.
- The “>” isn’t working, so I need to find a way to fix that and try something different.
Crit From Stacie:
To Do Today In Class:
- inner-most fold’s illustrations
- work on content
To Do Tomorrow:
- Rest (need to take a break and come back with refreshed eyes)
- Corrections
02.09.2016 | Finals & Presentation Day Reflection
While printing my final versions in Smillie, I experienced difficulties with the printer putting black smudges on the pages. After enough times however, I was finally able to print copies that didn’t have the smudges. While assembling I found that the dimensions of the cover needed to be changed. But in the end, I was very happy with my printing result, and the colors came out pretty close to what I had imagined.
This project was hard. However, I really enjoyed the challenge of creating for a demographic that was not myself and on a topic that I was not at all familiar with. I also challenged myself to try out illustrating for the first time, and found that I actually like it a lot! I’m looking forward to experimenting more with this in the future!!
I’m really happy with my final deliverable and feel that it effectively uses message, communication structure, communication form, and systems thinking. I feel that I was able to accomplish the tough task of making a large-scale problem like Energy Efficiency seem doable and empower Pittsburgh homeowners to make a change.
If I could change something about my project, I would consider different variations of the HES diagram. Though I’m happy with my final diagram, I wonder what I would have created if I had explored it further.
I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work on this project.
