What role can designers play in reducing anxiety associated with financial information and decisions?

At the University of the Arts, I was part of a project aimed at helping the school’s Finance Office engage in conversation with staff and faculty.

It became clear during interviewing that not only was the method of information exchange important, but content and psychology was also key. By collaborating with Graphic Designers, accountants, and faculty, I helped co-design a language and visual narrative to explain financial information and decision making processes. The combination of clear information with appropriate tone, recognition and language helped create financial stories that met the the needs of the faculty and staff.

By involving the faculty throughout the process, their investment in the project was encouraged. This allowed them to actively participate in the design of the information that they felt was most important. The resulting system delivered a level of increased transparency never experienced before and created the opportunity for informed conversation and decisions between people who used to speak a different language.

“My role in this project was one of a facilitator. I positioned myself as a conduit between the Finance Office and the faculty.”

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