Design Question

How might we create a visually engaging and user-friendly infographic site that provides unbiased information on social issues, policy, and voter demographics to empower informed decisions and increase midterm election turnout?

Project Overview

VoteSource has tasked me with creating an infographic site to raise awareness and inform voters about the upcoming November elections. The site will present factual, unbiased information on social issues, public policy, voter turnout statistics, demographics, and analytics to encourage voter participation. I am responsible for both the content and design, aiming to combat historically low midterm turnout by providing voters with the necessary information to make informed decisions.

Research

While conducting research for this project, I browsed through the web to find quantitative data and statistical information on midterm voters. I wanted to find factors that impacts voter turnout and discover increases or decreases in turnout categorized by age, race, and gender. Below are some key statistics that I found.

68.3% Of Young Voters Were Reached by Social Media.

59% Of People Were More Motivated To Vote in 2022 Midterms.

A Majority Don't Vote Because They Claim To Be Too Busy.

5% Decrease In Young Voters In 2022 Compared To 2018.

View Research PDF

Users

After conducting research, I found that the website should primarely target young, diverse voters. Jackie Ramirez is a Latina college student balancing work and studies and Marcus Johnson is a socially conscious African American professional. These users are open to voting but need motivation and guidance. They value clear, engaging content that connects voting to their personal values, addresses barriers like accessibility or confusion, and simplifies the process to inspire participation in midterm elections.

Brand Style

I presented three brand styles and received the most positive feedback on this one. This brand style is strong due to its cohesive color palette, modern fonts, and engaging visuals that align with its purpose of informing and empowering voters. It’s approachable, professional, and easy to recognize.

User Journey Map

The user journey map outlines how young, diverse voters move from awareness to action. Users start by discovering the importance of midterm elections through engaging content and relatable data. They overcome barriers with clear solutions and are guided to register and plan their vote. The journey ends with having the ability to follow Votesource social media platforms and spread awareness and encouraging others to participate. Each stage addresses their needs, feelings, and challenges to inspire action.

Wireframe

Section 1: Vector image, heading, body text
Section 2: Statistical charts regarding midterms
Section 3: Midterm topic accordions & web ads
Section 4: Community impact & web ads
Section 5: Voting registration form
Footer: Logo, email, social icons

UI Breakdown

Section 1: Defining Midterms

This section provides a simple introduction to midterm elections and highlights its purpose and importance. Highlighting the fact that policies affect the daily lives of Americans and reminding users that using their voice and turning out to vote is pivotal in shaping the direction of the country.

Section 2: Statistic Infographs

The second section consists of a variety of statistical infographics to inform users on outcomes of past midterm elections and showcase present day political priorites. Infographic charts included are turnout by race and age in 2014 & 2018, political priorties for Americans in 2024 by percentage, historical turnout trends, motivations for voting, how young people heard about midterms, reasons for not voting, and exit polls for House of Representatives by race & gender in 2022. Included, are the low percentages of turnout by young people in 40 states. Since my target users are young minority voters, I included statistical charts that would make users think about the impact they can make to shape the direction of America. Quantitative research through online resources were used to design these infographs.

Section 3: Midterm Topics

This section highlights some of the most important political topics discussed during midterms. Each topic has its own accordion that displays information regarding that topic and why Americans think it's important to address the issue. This gives users insight on some of the problems America faces & gives them a chance to think about what the issue means to them & help them make voting decisions based on personal thoughts and political beliefs.

Section 4: Testimonials

The testimonials section introduces citizens with numerous backgrounds explaining how midterms have impacted their daily lives. This helps users empathise with or understand the personal experiences of other U.S. citizens who have voted and experienced impact & change. Qualitative data through online community forums were used to write the testimonial content.

Section 5: Registration Form

The goal of the registration section is to allow users to register and vote for the upcoming midterm election. To complete the form, users must enter their first & last names, street address, city, state, zip code, & date of birth. Additionally, users must choose their political party, and election interest.

User Scenarios

Scenario 1: A first-time voter visits the site to learn what midterm elections are and why they matter. They quickly grasp the importance of midterms through a clear and visually engaging introduction.
Scenario 2: A young minority voter sees statistics about low voter turnout among their demographic. They reflect on the data and realize the impact their participation can have on shaping the future.
Scenario 3: A voter unsure of which issues align with their values explores the “Midterm Topics” section. They read about key issues, understand their importance, and feel better informed about voting decisions.
Scenario 4: A skeptical user reads personal testimonials from people of diverse backgrounds who share how voting has impacted their lives. The stories inspire empathy and encourage the user to vote.
Scenario 5: A motivated user decides to register to vote after exploring the site. They easily complete the registration form, ensuring they are ready for the upcoming midterm elections.

Supporting These Scenarios

Scenario 1: The homepage provides a clear introduction to midterms with concise content and strong visual hierarchy, ensuring first-time voters quickly understand the purpose and importance of elections.
Scenario 2: The statistical infographics section uses engaging visuals to highlight low turnout rates by race and age, helping young minority voters connect with the data and see their potential impact.
Scenario 3: The “Midterm Topics” section uses accordion navigation to organize political issues, allowing users to explore topics at their own pace and make informed voting decisions.
Scenario 4: The testimonials section shares relatable personal stories, presented in an empathetic and visually appealing format, inspiring trust and encouraging voter participation.
Scenario 5: The registration form is user-friendly, with clear instructions, simplifying the process for motivated users to register and prepare for elections.

Outcomes & Takeaways

What I Achieved: I successfully designed a visually engaging and user-friendly interface that educates users about midterm elections, connects them to relevant topics, and simplifies voter registration.
What I Learned: I learned the importance of using data-driven content and empathetic storytelling to motivate underrepresented groups and how clear information design can drive user action.
Experience Gained: I gained valuable experience balancing user-centered design principles with research-backed content to create a product that inspires trust, educates users, and encourages participation in civic processes.