Trust in the Leader of Collaborative Process Design and Facilitation
SKILL SK-10 | Communication & Inclusion
Visual Communication Design
The ability to create clear, accessible, and culturally relevant visual materials - maps, diagrams, timelines, illustrated guides - that communicate complex project information in forms that do not require high literacy to interpret.
How to Develop It
1. Participatory Map Making
With community members, create a map of the project area marking land uses, access routes, livelihood areas, and the project footprint. Use this community-made map as the basis for all subsequent spatial discussions.
2. Visual Walkthrough
Replace one section of a standard consultation presentation with a visual walkthrough: illustrated steps, before-and-after diagrams, or a pictorial timeline. Test it with a small group and compare comprehension to the text version.
3. Symbol Testing
Before using any icons, symbols, or color coding in materials, test them with community members. What does a particular color mean locally? Are any symbols ambiguous or culturally loaded? Revise based on responses.
Why This Skill Matters
In communities with mixed literacy levels, written documents communicate only to a segment of the population. Visual materials extend reach and support genuine understanding - particularly for spatial impacts that are difficult to communicate through text.
Observable Behaviors
+ Produces visual materials as standard components of every engagement package
+ Designs visuals at appropriate complexity for the intended audience
+ Tests visual materials with community members before use and revises based on feedback
+ Uses local landmarks, livelihood references, and familiar spatial cues in maps
+ Distinguishes between decorative visuals and functional communication tools
Self-Assessment
Read each Reflective Question below and honestly consider how consistently you demonstrate this in your actual fieldwork, not how you think you should behave, but how you do behave. Then assign a score from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest):
(1) Not yet developed: Rarely demonstrated in practice
(2) Emerging: Demonstrated sometimes, but inconsistently or only under favorable conditions
(3) Established: Demonstrated reliably in most situations, including moderately challenging ones
(4) Adaptive: Demonstrated reliably even in high-pressure situations, and practitioner actively helps
Common Gaps & Pitfalls
! Producing polished materials designed for institutional audiences rather than communities
! Treating visual design as a specialist function rather than a practitioner skill
! Using visual materials as presentation aids rather than dialogue tools
Connections
Related Skills
SK-08: Technical-Community Translation
SK-09: Culturally Adaptive Communication
Reflective Questions Score from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest):
My standard engagement package includes visual materials beyond text documents and slides
I test visual materials with community members before using them broadly
I can produce a basic community map accurately representing the project footprint and livelihood areas
I design visuals for the community audience, not for the project team internal standards
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THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION GROUP FOUNDATION
www.coregroup.org.ph * info@coregroup.org.ph
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