Presentation from the National Career Development Association's annual conference - 2017

1. #NCDAorlando

2. Melissa A. Venable, PhD - Instructional Technology
Certification - Job and Career Transition Coach
Adjunct Faculty:
Saint Leo University
EDU557 - Project Management for Instructional Design
EDU544 - Graphics and Design for eLearning
University of South Florida
EDF6284 - Problems in Instructional Design for Computers
Key Interests: Career decision-making process | Design and delivery of
online education | Identifying, selecting, and implementing new educational and career
services-related technologies
Find me here!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissavenable/
@Melissa_Venable
melissa.a.venable@gmail.com

3. Debra S. Osborn, PhD – Counseling & School Psychology
Certification – Nationally Certified Counselor
Faculty:
Florida State University Associate Professor
Career Counseling Coordinator
PCO 5095 – Computer Applications in Counseling Psychology &
Other Human Services
Key Interests: Design & Use of technology in counseling| Innovation & effectiveness in
counselor education | Design & use of assessments in career services
Find me here!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/debosborn/
@dsosborn
dosborn@fsu.edu

4. And Together, We Are:
THE TECHNOLOGY TWINS!!!
@technologytwins https://technologytwins.com

5. Objectives for Today
● Explore use of infographics to convey career information
in a range of contexts.
● Learn the pros and cons of multiple web-based systems
for creating images and infographics.
● Create an infographic from start to finish.
● Develop a list of ways to use infographics in career
counseling work settings.

7. What is an infographic?

8. “Ballmer’s project isn’t the first attempt
to present data like this to the public, but
it stands out for its custom graphics,
which make abstract, complex numbers
quickly comprehensible.” - NPR
USAfacts.org
Our nation, in numbers. Federal,
state, and local data from over 70
government sources.

10. Tool Review #1
+ -
Templates Moving things around can be tricky
Blank canvas option Not great with Internet Explorer
Easy for non-designers to get started Piktochart Watermark (free)
Presentation format option Limited customization and templates
(free)
Education pricing for premium features

12. Tool Review #2
+ -
Premade templates and designs Free version limited to 5 charts
Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced options Can’t export files with free version
Blank canvas option Limited icons with free version
Embed: polls, forms, YouTube
Easy for non-designers to get started
Education pricing for premium features

14. Tool Review #3
+ -
Lots of templates and template types/sizes
(e.g., Facebook post, email header,
Instagram, LinkedIn banner)
Slow speeds with multiple page
designs
Easy for non-designers to get started Limited number of files (free)
Exported images load fast WYSIWYG editor can be tricky
Searchable library of icons, images Image edits can be difficult
Educational pricing options Can’t resize designs (free)

16. Tool Review #4
+ -
Adobe ID login to access option Slow speeds
Other formats include animated videos,
webpages
Adobe Spark Branding
Lots of templates and template types/sizes
(e.g., Facebook post, email header,
Instagram, LinkedIn banner)
Saving and editing files can be wonky
Style Suggestions and Design filters
Mobile apps

21. PRO TIP #1 – Have a Catchy Title
http://coschedule.com/headline-analyzer#

22. More Pro Tips ...
• Use digestible - bite size chunks of information
• Keep it simple … easy to understand vs. cognitive overload
• Make it manageable (600 pixels wide, 8000 pixels long, 1.5 mb or less)
• Establish flow and connection from section to section
• Add white space
• Use (and cite) current stats related to your topic from reputable sources
• Make it easy to share
• Promote it- Ask “Influencers” to share it

23. Before you begin … ask yourself:
• Who is your audience?
• What is the main idea you want to convey?
• What are you trying to do? (Help, educate, inspire …)
• How can you incorporate storytelling?
• What or where is the support for your message/story?

30. What kinds of information would you include in
an infographic about helping students
understand the role of social media in a job
search?

31. What kinds of information would you include in
an infographic about helping students
understand the role of social media in a job
search?
• Trends, statistics, percentages,
facts
• Pictures, drawings, diagrams
• Quotes, song lines
• Websites, urls

32. What are the takeaway messages you’d want
from your infographic?

33. What are the takeaway messages you’d want
from your infographic?
• If you don’t engage in SM, you’ll
diminish your job search options
• A majority of recruiters and employers
use SM in the hiring process
• SM is a great way to increase your
digital presence; demonstrate your
expertise

35. Melissa’s Infographic
Audience: Clients, Students, Job Seekers
Goals: Awareness of the importance of social
media by job seekers and employers
Message: Why is it important? In these specific
ways!
Alternative Goals: Consolidate take-aways from
multiple resources (tl;dr), provide a call-to-action:
make an appointment!

36. STEP-BY-STEP
Login
Click “Create New”

37. Choose “Infographic”

38. Choose Template style (~10 options)

39. Change the infographic title

43. Modify template defaults – drag and drop

45. Call to action
Cite your sources

46. Download and Share

48. Deb’s Infographic
Audience: Potential career counselors
Goals: Attract quality students to our program and
field
Message: Career Counselors are Cool! Here’s
why…
Alternative Messages: training, salary, link to
NCDA, demand, link to FSU’s program
Alliteration

52. WHEW!!!

56. Wrapping up ...
How might you use these graphic design tools in your current or future
career counseling settings?

57. Explore examples for inspiration! (search Pinterest)

58. Thank you!
Melissa Venable
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissavenable/
@Melissa_Venable
melissa.a.venable@gmail.com
Debra Osborn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/debosborn/
@dsosborn
dosborn@fsu.edu
Slides will be available from technologytwins.com

59. Resources & References
7 Super Tips for Creating Powerful Infographics - Entrepreneur.com
12 Infographic Tips That That You Wish You Knew Years Ago - kissmetrics.com
Visual Design Basics - Usability.gov
Gestalt Principles for Information Design - HowDesign.com