When you are designing organizational or fundraising materials, how do you make them accessible and effective for all of your constituents?
Our constituents have different ways of understanding, expressing, communicating, and engaging. Modern brain science has highlighted how individual variability in the three systems of the brain – the strategic network, the recognition network, and the affective network-- determine how we learn. In response, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides design principles for responding to individual differences. Consider when designing materials:
The Why: provide multiple means of engagement— vary ways that you communicate goals, relevance, value, authenticity, choice, opportunities for reflection.
The What: provide multiple means of representing information – give users a choice of different forms ie: audio, visual, textual.
The How: Multiple means of action and expression—provide users with many ways to engage with your materials, vary how they respond and navigate, provide different ways for the user to communicate.
How do you currently apply these principles in your work?
Funder-Partners
Do you want to create a more dynamic relationship with your funders?
Consider involving your funders in your design process. Using active design strategies, you can create an innovaton environment that involves both internal and external stakeholders. We have focused on building funder relationships around a shared purpose. What if you involved your funders as partners, in the design, development, and dissemination of your work? Here are some thoughts:
· Engage Funder-Partners in your design team and agile processes;
· Provide opportunities for funders to bring their expertise into the design team;
· Get feedback from your funder-partners on prototypes and pilots, early and often;
· Involve members from across your organization in developing the funder-partner relationship.
These approaches create a long-term commitment to your institution with the added collaborative and design pieces.
What are the ways you have involved foundation and corporate funders in your work?