NIVA Project Summary Fact Sheets

Ocean Science

surface — clearly informing Canadians about complex issues while helping to guide decision making for related policies and programs.

The Canada’s Oceans Now reports provide a comprehensive summary of the current status and trends in Canada’s oceans and marine ecosystems. These reports for Canadians are part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to inform its citizens on the current state and potential future state of Canada’s oceans.

The report’s primary audiences are:

• Senior policy makers at the federal level and in other departments

• Decision-makers at municipal and provincial levels and in the international community

• Industry, academia, NGOs, and university researchers

• Members of the public

Working collaboratively with DFO scientists, science advisors, and communications professionals, NIVA provided a comprehensive suite of services to develop this inaugural report in the Canada’s Oceans Now series. We met with DFO scientists to gain an understanding of the scope of their research, and we worked with them to identify the key messages that needed to be emphasized from that research.

We wrote the plain language content that formed the core of the report, turning the key messages from the science into a clear, easy-to-understand narrative. We developed the report’s design, created data visualizations to help a broad audience understand the numbers and crafted stunning illustrations to engage the report’s target audiences.

Our work on the main report served as jumping off point to create content that would support the delivery of key messages on social media. Our project team created 11 high impact infographics describing some of the most significant issues covered by the report — they served as a first point of contact for the broadest possible audience, driving readers to main report and other collateral materials.

Climate Change

Focused on changes to the Atlantic Ocean that are being driven by climate change, the often complex information required illustrations that were not only accurate in their depictions of the subject matter, but also helped convey key messages to a general audience.

Our ability to create effective, accurate, and beautiful depictions of the subject matter, coupled with the capacity of our team to work quickly, while producing high quality work, led to a high impact series of infographics. Ongoing interactions with scientists and members of the project team formed a system to validate the accuracy of the information and intent of their messages.

We worked with scientific representatives to understand the key messages they wanted to tell. Why was this data collected? Why is it important to do so? What does the analysis say? Why is it important to Canadians? We then developed concepts that were reviewed by our client to ensure the right look and feel was achieved. We checked in with technical experts to ensure that the images were represented in a technically accurate way throughout the process. Illustrations were chosen over a traditional graphic design approach to provide the report with a warmer, more emotional overtone, and mirroring memorable scenery found in storybooks.

Climate Change

like “how is the loss of sea ice affecting whales?” or “how are temperature changes affecting populations of phytoplankton?” We sketched out the infographics to tell these stories in a progressive manner, had our concepts approved to ensure that they would be technically accurate, and then implemented the concept. In this case, the art that was used in the infographics was developed by hand using a drawing tablet.

To develop these illustrations, we worked with the scientists and experts to understand exactly what they wanted to depict, and then came up with strategies that would make it both visually appealing as well as focus attention on the key messages and emotionally engaging the audience.

Before any creative work commenced, we developed a project plan/schedule to map out all tasks and milestones, as well as interactions with all project participants Our very collaborative relationship with the client at both the communications and technical levels was a key to the success of the project. There were initial in-person meetings to help develop the right kind of working relationship. We had regular meetings as the project progressed to obtain feedback, provide updates on progress, and solve any issues that arose.

Obstacles included difficulty getting access to the scientists and technical experts because of their busy schedules. However, we worked with them and DFO communications colleagues to implement a process that would be convenient for them while allowing us to meet our scheduled deadlines. We developed a very good rapport with them to facilitate this process, to maximize efficiency, and to make the process as effective as possible.

The work is regarded It received widespread mainstream media attention (including the CBC) as well as engagement on DFO’s social media channels. It has been described as providing a very clear picture of the state of the Atlantic Ocean that is easily accessible to a broad range of Canadians as well as being visually stunning. The infographics continue to be used to support DFO messaging.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is monitoring direct and indirect feedback received from the public, communities, and other levels of government. There has also been great feedback obtained via social media. The government website, on which these materials are posted, is also a significant source of feedback. As a firm, we are also monitoring the success of the work, and have received positive feedback from interactions at meetings, conferences, via social media, and requests for similar work based on this example.

Freshwater Science

PROJECT TITLE:

Plain Language Summaries and Infographics for Canada Water Agency Science Themes

In early 2021, NIVA facilitated engagement workshops to gather input on freshwater science needs to support the new Canada Water Agency.

We were asked to develop plain language summaries (and accompanying infographics) for each of these themes to insert within the report’s Executive Summary for Decision Makers and Science Users to provide them an easy-to-grasp overview of the freshwater science work along with an engaging and informative visualization of related concepts. These plain language summaries (and infographics) were also to be repurposed in other communication products that will be more public-facing, and so they were developed with a broader audience in mind. The challenge was to simplify this very scientific and technical information for the ‘average person’ to understand without losing the technical integrity of the information and sufficient relevant details for decision makers and scientists to act upon.

CLIENT ORGANIZATION:

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Blue Economy

PROJECT TITLE: CLIENT ORGANIZATION:

Communication Strategy, Stakeholder Engagement, and Supporting Materials for the Digital Transformation Initiative

The Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) provides up-todate, authoritative, standardized geospatial information, in part to produce and deliver nautical charts.

CHS operations support maritime transportation, bolster Canadian maritime boundaries and sovereignty, monitor coastal natural hazards, and use the latest technology for ocean and freshwater mapping. CHS publication products include Canadian tide and current tables, Sailing Directions, Notices to Mariners, critical information for ice navigation, and Canadian aids to the navigation system, among many others.

To remain a relevant and efficient organization, and to support its vision to be a world-class authority and supplier of geospatial information, CHS is modernizing its approach to service delivery to meet the rapidly evolving needs of its end users and other stakeholders. This will entail a transformation that moves CHS away from an organization based on paper products to a fully digital enterprise. This digital renewal will provide CHS with the capacity to deploy a data-centric service model and cutting-edge digital outputs that align with the demands of current and future users who want and deserve to have access to the most advanced navigational technologies available.

Canadian Hydrographic Service

NIVA created and implemented a comprehensive engagement and consultation plan that encouraged and motivated both external and internal stakeholders to become actively involved in the digital transformation process, share insights and perspectives, and directly participate in associated projects. We developed a change management-focused communication strategy to obtain buy-in and promote the CHS digital transformation, both externally and internally, including recommendations for effective tools and implementation tactics.

Our team also produced numerous communication materials and other tools as recommended in the communication plan, including targeted key messages, digital and social media content, fact sheets, presentations, and a suite of customized graphic assets for engaging CHS stakeholders about their digital transformation with a cohesive visual identity.

Marine Transportation

Information Guide on Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response

NIVA was contracted to develop an information guide to help the Canadian Coast Guard explain Canada’s ship-source oil spill preparedness and response regime. The goal was to build confidence among affected populations that the Government of Canada is committed to protecting Canadian waters and communities from these incidents and has the capacity to respond effectively.

The guide was developed using plain language principles and was targeted at people living in the coastal and Indigenous communities most affected by marine traffic, as well as other marine stakeholders.

We also produced a series of Canadian Coast Guard Indigenous Bulletins, which provided information on key topics regarding marine and environmental safety. In addition, NIVA was asked to develop several infographics to help clearly communicate important information about the Canadian Coast Guard to a public audience through their social media channels.

Canadian Coast Guard

Marine Spatial Planning

approach to managing ocean spaces that helps to balance the increased demand for human activities with the need to protect marine ecosystems. By taking into account all activities and partners in an area, informed decisions can be made on how to manage ocean spaces transparently while minimizing conflicts, promoting synergies among its various uses, and protecting the environment.

In Canada, the Oceans Act provides a framework for current and future oceans management initiatives, including integrated management of ocean resources and activities. As a result, Fisheries and Oceans Canada leads the development and implementation of plans for the integrated management of all activities or measures in or affecting estuaries, coastal waters, and marine waters that form part of Canada, or in which Canada has sovereign rights under international law. NIVA was contracted to apply our expertise in effectively communicating key information on MSP by providing plain language writing for presentations, fact sheets and reports. This includes information on relevant program policies and the framework to implement MSP.

Tasks covered three main areas of focus:

• MSP Operational Policy Framework—gathering information through meetings and review of information materials to first develop an annotated table of contents (i.e., content outline) for the framework, developing clear, plain language content for the framework through an iterative writing and review process, and presenting the draft document to regional MSP practitioners, managers, and directors for their input.

• National MSP Program Questions and Answers—editing the draft version of the questions and answers to produce a clear, plain language final product through an iterative editing/writing and review process, and presenting the revised questions and answers to several working groups/committees for input.

• Presentations and fact sheets—developing engaging presentations and fact sheets to support the roll out of other essential documents.

Our design staff was also engaged to develop compelling graphic components, charts, and maps to engage audiences that ranged from interested members of the public to ocean stakeholders to government policy-makers.

Ocean Literacy

The Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition (COLC) is an alliance of organizations, networks, institutions, and communities working together to better understand and advance ocean literacy in Canada.

As a member of COLC, NIVA was proud to provide communication support services to the organization with their recently released series of national and regional research reports on Understanding Ocean Literacy in Canada.

The NIVA team was responsible for writing plain language content for these reports and advising COLC on communicating complex ocean-related subject matter.

Our staff formatted this content into compelling documents aimed at engaging a broad audience with high-impact visual elements that highlight key concepts and further enable readers to understand complex information.

To help enable the national coordination of ocean literacy activities, NIVA created an engaging interactive online map and database where stakeholders can add their initiatives and learn about what other organizations are doing. We also created an interactive graphic to allow users to explore elements of the Canada Ocean Literacy Strategy.

Conservation and Biodiversity

had been achieved over the past year, and about the major impacts obtained from the generous support they receive.

We were responsible for the full spectrum of requirements from the creation of design concepts, image sourcing, formatting, quality assurance, and file optimization.

Special attention was made with image selection to spotlight key species and habitats of concern across the country and the communities that depend on them, as well as making an emotional connection with the audience.

The project included the development of an infographic overview to help WWF-Canada highlight key outcomes and promote the report on their social media and other digital channels.

Protected Areas

Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site Action Plan Report

In response to a requirement from UNESCO, Parks Canada commissioned NIVA to assist with developing their Action Plan for the Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site. The Action Plan report was developed to present information to UNESCO on how the park will be maintained, to support the international UNESCO meeting where the report was being presented. NIVA also designed a six-panel tri-fold brochure for participants that summarizes and complements the main document, making figures, tables and other technical content easy to read and understand.

For this project, the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge was made a top priority to ensure that we fully integrated related information and design considerations. Also, due to the number of authors, we fully revised the text that was sourced with a view of communicating its contents in plain language and written from a single voice.

This very high project showcased Canada’s reputation as a leader in conservation and environmental protection. Our primary goal was to enable the Parks Canada to convey critical information to a wide audience in a clear, cohesive manner, using easily understandable content. Together with a clean design, this set the right tone for the context of related decision making.

Parks Canada

To complete this project, we copyedited, designed, and formatted the entire report and accompanying brochure, specifically:

• Performed technical editing of all scientific content to ensure accuracy and consistency.

• Shaped and synthesized content into plain language for a broad audience.

• Developed cover and document design concepts and overall graphic design.

• Produced a promotional brochure based on the approved design.

Given the high priority nature of this report, approvals for this project were required to be obtained at the senior management level. There was great sensitivity to image selection, and we managed several rounds of approval from different stakeholders.

Research Communication and Knowledge Mobilization

PROJECT TITLE:

Communication of Results from COHA’s 3rd Research Cluster

Research Clusters AgriScience Program:

Summary Report

The Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA) is a coalition of three industry organizations that represent the interests of Canada’s ornamental horticulture value chain. COHA identified the need for an external communication firm to help communicate the results of its research cluster activities and mobilize this knowledge toward meaningful actions.

To complete this project, NIVA’s Knowledge Impact and Design teams produced a knowledge mobilization strategy and an extensive set of communication materials to help them engage with their key target audiences (policymakers, growers, researchers, and the public).

This work included:

• New visual identifier logo and tagline to be applied to all research-related outputs.

• Plain language research summaries.

• Detailed fact sheets targeting grower audiences.

• High-impact infographics visualizing key research processes and findings.

• Full summary report synthesizing all research cluster communication materials.

CLIENT ORGANIZATION:

Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA)

Plain Language Infographic Fact Sheets

Genome Canada is an independent, federally funded not-for-profit organization and a national leader for Canada’s genomics ecosystem. Working in partnership and across sectors, we invest in, and coordinate, genomics research, innovation, data and talent to generate solutions for today’s biggest challenges.

They came to us with highly-technical stakeholder consultation reports that required key information to be extracted and made accessible to non-specialist audiences. Senior decision makers and the public required information tools that presented this complex information in a clear and understandable manner.

NIVA was brought in to apply plain language principles and highimpact design to achieve these goals. This included developing a series of plain language fact sheets that showcase how genomics has been applied to each sector and the potential opportunities for future impact.

Data Visualization

PROJECT TITLE:

Graphic Design and Data Visualization Services

Statistics Canada is the country’s national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada’s economy, society, and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers. In a long-term service arrangement, NIVA works closely with Statistic Canada’s communications team to produce infographics and other digital content (e.g., survey brochures, logos, graphic overlays, etc.) that reflect information design, data visualization, and data storytelling principles and adhere strictly to agency design and branding guidelines.

For infographics, Statistics Canada’s primary objectives are to quickly communicate key messages, simplify the presentation of substantial amounts of data, highlight patterns and relationships in the data, and enable the monitoring of changes over time to the public.

We have also created a series of animated PowerPoint presentations to support the agency’s data literacy training program.

CLIENT ORGANIZATION:

Statistics Canada

Public Health

PROJECT TITLE:

Plain Language Web Content and Infographics (CANVax)

CPHA’s Canadian Vaccination Evidence Resource and Exchange Centre (CANVax) is an online database of curated resources to support immunization program planning and promotional activities to improve vaccine acceptance and uptake in Canada.

As an online resource centre, CANVax aims to increase access to evidence-based products, resources, and tools to inform public health professionals in immunization program planning and promotion. One of the key offerings on the CANVax website is a set of COVID-19 Vaccine Questions and Answers aimed to support Healthcare Providers.

CPHA recognized that the existing Q&A section on CANVax.ca would benefit from a plain-language approach to communicating information to benefit both non-healthcareprofessional visitors to the site, as well as healthcare providers who are looking for tools to explain technical information about vaccination to their patients more effectively.

CLIENT ORGANIZATION:

Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA)

CPHA required the advice and support of experienced science communication professionals to assess existing Q&A content on the website, determine an approach to communicating answers in plain language, adapt existing content to this approach, and assist with the development of new questions and answers, as well as visualization tools such as infographics, to help communicate CANVax-related subject matter.

Indigenous Health

PROJECT TITLE:

Graphic Design and Publication Support Services

With a long-term service agreement, we were honoured to be the agency of record for graphic design that supported the NCCIH in carrying out its mandate through the digital publication of many key reports, fact sheets, brochures, and other informational materials.

Our services included creating initial design concepts, graphic elements (such as vector overlays and infographics), source and select images, comprehensive document formatting, file optimization, and other publication support as required.

To highlight the important and sensitive content of these documents, we worked with NCCIH’s team to ensure a strong focus on appropriate, respectful, and culturally meaningful image selection, as well as developing graphic elements that align with the interpretation of document themes and accurate representations of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

CLIENT ORGANIZATION:

National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH)

Defence

PROJECT TITLE:

Communication and Publication Support Services

The Science and Technology Organization (STO) is a NATO subsidiary body created to meet the collective Science and Technology needs of the NATO Alliance and its partner nations. It does this by generating, sharing, and disseminating advanced scientific knowledge, technological developments, and innovation.

NIVA is the exclusive long-term service provider responsible for editing, formatting, and designing all scientific publications produced by NATO’s Science and Technology Organization (STO). We are also involved with developing communication products that help STO better tell the story of who they are and what they do. We help them to both demonstrate their value and help attract new researchers from around the world and mobilize knowledge to decision makers.

Our team ensures that all STO scientific, strategic, and promotional publications adhere to the established language and stylistic standards, that all content is expressed in a clear manner and free of grammar errors, and that formatting is aligned with NATO templates and design standards. We deliver graphic design and layout services to prepare high-impact, visually engaging, and accessible report documents for print, digital, and social media publications.

CLIENT ORGANIZATION:

NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO)