In a pandemic, a large amount of information must reach people in an efficient, coordinated and credible way (Folkhälsomyndigheten, 2019a: 12). A lack of communication has been shown to exacerbate the crisis and reduce citizens' confidence in those in power (MSB, 2006). Here, design is important for how people perceive information as visual messages tend to have more impact than text (Jacobs, 2020; Otten, Cheng, & Drewnowski, 2015). Therefore, it could be beneficial to use visual elements in the design of complex information to ensure that messages reaches the target groups (King, 2016). Here, infographics can be a tool (Jacob, 2020; Weinschenk 2011). Visual elements in communication can also contribute to health-related topics being perceived as more interesting (King & Lazard, 2020).
To reduce the spread of Covid-19, people around the world are urged to follow the recommendations communicated by authorities in each country, (FHM, 2020). In this context, designed infographics can be used – in research these graphic design elements are described as visual representations of information, data, or knowledge (Ocampo, 2011), presenting complex stories or a large amount of data in a visual and accessable way (Jacob, 2020; Damman, Vonk, van den Haak, van Hooijdonk and Timmermans, 2018; Weinschenk 2011).
Against this background, the purpose of this study is to examine how Covid-19 is visualized in information material from authorities* in the Nordic countries Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Island, and how design elements are expressed in the material.
Previous research has to a large extent been quantitative with surveys and opinion polls, but with the gradual increase in the role and visual expression of the media, qualitative studies are increasingly common (Vigsö, 2016: 74).
In this comparative case study, a visual content analysis is used, and results are presented on similarities and differences between how different northern countries visualize information material about covid19 and how design elements and infographics are used in the material aiming to build trust in times of risks and crises.
The background to research on crises is often about improving how society handles new crises (Vigsö, 2016: 73). In times of pandemics, there is always a high risk of misinformation being spread, which is a phenomenon that the World Health Organization (WHO) term as infodemia (Institutet för språk och folkminnen, 2020). Visual strategies can be used to improve the quality of health communication during public health crises and reduce the unintended effects of infodemic conditions (King, 2020). During public health crises such as the ongoing corona pandemic, there is a great need to improve and strengthen public communication to reduce the spread of infection (King, 2020). The overall ambition of this study is thus to build on knowledge of the role of design in societal crises. This van be linked to the UN's global target number 3 and the sub-goals 3.3 Fight infectious diseases and 3.D Improve early warning systems for global health risks.
* National authorities that has a national responsibility for public health issues and works to ensure that the population is protected against communicable diseases and other health threats.
Östersund: Mid Sweden University , 2021. p. 463-464
ISDRS 2021: The 27th International Sustainable Development Research Society conference, Östersund, Sweden, July 13–15 2021