Global Goals Poster – Instructions

Overview

For this project, you will design one 18 x 24 poster explaining how each of us can adopt a sustainability tip into our lives. You’ll align your poster design and content with one UN Global Goal.

Infographics

Simply put, an infographic delivers the information with a visual that is primarily art and graphics—with few words. It speaks visually to your audience, showing them what you are trying to communicate.

Did you know that approximately 70% of all our body’s sensory receptors reside in the eyes? Furthermore, did you know that as much as 90% of all the information currently stored in our brains probably came to us through our eyes? This is what makes art and infographics so valuable when communicating with others. We communicate and learn visually.

Challenge yourself to make your poster infographics heavy. Try to use as little type as possible. This makes for a more interesting and informative poster.

Remember what makes a great infographic poster

Small chunks of information
Mostly graphics, few words
One emphasized header and or fact
Branded with a consistent, contemporary, illustration style
Consistent background design
Consistent branding

Grading checklist

Design one sustainability infographic poster
Choose 1–5 facts and illustrate them
Use the 18″ x 24″ poster template (download below)
Software: Use Illustrator, draw in vector, CMYK, 300 ppi
Complete your research and cite the sources for your facts
(use http://www.citationmachine.net/ – MLA)
Choose which of the 17 UN Global Goals your poster will communicate. Put the logo and type in your poster’s header

Poster Template – Adobe Illustrator

global_goals_poster_template_18x24.ai.zip Download

You’ll use Western brand guidelines on your poster

First: Learn about the United Nations Global Goals
(Sustainable Development Goals)

UN Global Goals http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals.html

UN Brand guidelines: https://www.globalgoals.org/resources

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

These 17 Goals build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals while including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace, and justice, among other priorities. The goals are interconnected – often the key to success on one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another.

Second: Choose one poster topic

Choose your own topic based on your daily sustainable activities or something you found in your research.
Western is a Tree Campus USA school. Why are trees in the city important?
• https://www.fuf.net/benefits-of-urban-greening/
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-public-health-researchers-are-looking-urban-trees-180960985/
Greening America’s schools – costs and benefits
This topic discusses building greener, more sustainable schools in America.
• https://www.usgbc.org/resources/greening-america039s-schools-costs-and-benefits
• Greening_Americas_Schools.pdf
How to save energy in the classroom
• https://www.saveonenergy.com/energy-saving-tips/save-energy-at-school/
• http://www.ase.org/resources/energy-saving-tips-schools
How to save water at school
• http://www.coolcalifornia.org/tip/save-water-schools
• 20percent_water_reduction.png
How to reduce municipal solid waste in your city and home
• epa.gov_municipal_solid_waste.pdf
How to save energy anywhere – home, school, & work
• 101WaysToSAveEnergy.pdf
• HomeEnergySavingsguide.pdf
How to reduce water use at home
• sandiego_save_water.pdf
• http://saveourwater.com/conservation-lifestyle/around-the-house/
How to reduce water use in your yard
• http://saveourwater.com/conservation-lifestyle/around-the-yard/
How does biking affect the environment?
• https://youcanbikethere.com/environmental-benefits/
• biking_benfits.png
• https://www.movoto.com/blog/opinions/10-ways-riding-a-bike-can-save-the-world/
How does sustainability fit into healthcare?
• http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views
• https://ensia.com/features/greening-health-care/
How does our diet affect the environment?
• https://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/at-a-glance-brochure/
• http://www.sustainabletable.org/568/do-you-have-to-eat-100-local-sustainable-and-organic
What should I know about chemicals and plastics in my house?
• https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners#.Wj1qwd-nHct
• https://www.lifewithoutplastic.com/store/common_plastics_no_1_to_no_7#.Wj1rG9-nHcu
What’s so bad about bottled water?
• https://thewaterproject.org/bottled-water/bottled_water_wasteful
• https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/10/28/241419373/how-much-water-actually-goes-into-making-a-bottle-of-water
Pollinators: what are they, why are they important, and how do we help them?
• http://www.beecityusa.org/what-is-a-bee-campus.html
• https://www.fws.gov/pollinators/
Landscaping for sustainability
• https://www.asla.org/sustainablelandscapes/about.html
Benefits of spending time outdoors
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/a-prescription-for-better-health-go-alfresco
• https://www.getactivelacrosse.org/be-active/nature-connections/
Climate change and health
• https://www.apha.org/climate
Where does our water come from and where does it go?
• http://www.lacrossewaters.org/
• https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/content/407/3701/3753/6427.aspx
What is the green economy?
• http://blog.indeed.com/2017/04/19/where-to-find-work-protecting-the-environment/
• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/sustainable-earth/11-of-the-fastest-growing-green-jobs/
• http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/05/5-of-the-fastest-growing-jobs-in-clean-energy.html
• http://www.startribune.com/for-clean-energy-jobs-sky-s-the-limit/451026273/#1
How does home gardening help the environment?
• https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/for-children/mygrove/blog/five-ways-your-plants-help-the-environment
• https://theecoguide.org/whats-environmental-impact-growing-your-own-food
• http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14789/1/Organic-Gardening-for-the-Environment.html
• http://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/how-growing-your-own-food-can-benefit-the-planet/
What does a sustainable home look like?
• https://jorgefontan.com/sustainable-house-design-21-ideas/
• https://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-home-design
Western’s green balcony on the second floor of the Integrated Technology Center
Western’s green wall in the Integrated Technology Center
Western’s solar panel array outside the Integrated Technology Center
What is climate change?
• https://climate.nasa.gov/
• https://www.skepticalscience.com/argument.php
How to reduce vampire loads
• https://www.riverlandenergy.com/vampire-loads
Why are farmer’s markets good for our health, the economy, and the planet?
• https://www.localharvest.org/la-crosse-wi
• http://blog.naturespath.com/best-food-sustainability-documentaries-to-watch-this-fall
• http://www.sustainabletable.org/568/do-you-have-to-eat-100-local-sustainable-and-organic
How is climate change affecting the Driftless region?
• http://www.climatecentral.org/states-of-change#/state/wisconsin
• http://statesatrisk.org/
What Impact Does Recycling Have on the Environment?
• http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/How_Does_Recycling_Affect_the_Environment
• https://www.gov.je/environment/wastereducereuserecycle/whyrecycle/pages/benefits.aspx
Why are trees in the city important?

Third: Design your poster

Choose 1–5 factoids that you want to illustrate to educate people on your topic. Use a contemporary illustration style to show your skills.

Student Examples

This is a real project my students do for the sustainability department at Western Technical College. The sustainability department wanted to showcase educational posters on the main hallways of our six campuses. The goal of the posters is to educate thousands of students, staff, and faculty on the importance of sustainability. We wanted to show how sustainability fits into their daily lives and how it impacts the region they live in.

The icons at the bottom of each poster represent the seventeen Global Goals categories. Students researched and learned about these throughout their projects. They highlighted the icons that they felt their poster topic addresses and represents.

The final poster size is 18″ x 24″.