This work was produced during my service tenure as an AmeriCorps VISTA within the Department of Planning + Urban Design at the Unified Government of Wyandotte County-Kansas City, Kansas.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County-Kansas City, Kansas (the UG) passed a number of emergency ordinances to encourage businesses and residents to take their daily activities outside. To encourage the community to take advantage of these opportunities, I developed this playful, but informative bi-fold that could be distributed in person and online.

The graphic on the cover includes paraphrased call-outs taken directly from the ordinance language and displays them next to an appealing scene that visually reinforces the information. Municipal logos and contact information help anchor the base of the document while alerting the viewer to the the publisher.

The inner fold of the document features a comic-inspired illustration with multiple vignettes touching upon different aspects of the ordinance. The activity-packed graphic is intended to keep the viewer engaged as they learn the benefits and opportunities that come with the new legislation. A text-heavy sidebar explains information that is necessary, but difficult to convey in graphic form.

The use of color and subtle highlights draw attention to important information and the street-scene encourages the public to visualize the possibilities that are made available through the emergency ordinances.

Planning topics can often be inscrutable to the general public. However, I believe that even the most arcane planning information can be conveyed to a lay-audience through the use of good graphic design. By taking care to create engaging outreach material, planners invite others to share in their passion for great public spaces.

Credit for copy-editing and valuable input through the revision process is due to Gunnar Hand, Director of Planning + Urban Design for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County-Kansas City, Kansas