Cascade Chapter PI Network Focuses on Visual Communications

It was standing room only once again at Cascade Chapter’s PI Network on Nov. 20 for the hot topic of Visual Communication for Public Presentations.

Jessie Maran of HHPR and Josh Cohen of Fat Pencil Studio presented a range of tips and tools for creating clear and engaging graphics from fundamental diagramming to innovative real-time modeling. They shared techniques for deciding what types of graphics to use and how to ensure the graphics support the purpose and goals of your event. Jessie’s 15 years in design and marketing for the A/E/C industry and background in landscape architecture, urban design, and philosophy give her the unique ability to communicate technical design and research concepts.

She has developed documents, plans, diagrams, and illustrative graphics for a wide-range of land use and transportation projects along the west coast to convey a realistic and accurate understanding of the project’s design concepts in line with the desired level of public engagement. As the owner of Fat Pencil Studio, Josh delivers compelling visual presentations for a wide range of technical projects and has developed innovative techniques to inform and empower stakeholders. His photogrammetry expertise allows him to render proposed structures in the context of an existing conditions photograph. His skill with real time 3D modeling allows meaningful collaboration during project team meetings and design charrettes. This ability to visualize solutions has been instrumental in achieving consensus on complex and even controversial public works projects.

Jessie and Josh’s presentations are posted to the IAP2 Cascade Chapter Facebook page. Josh also kindly sent along the links to the resources discussed at the PI Network.

• Critique of NSA’s “PRISM” PowerPoint slides
• Non-Designers presentation book by Robin Williams
• WTF Visualizations
• Information is Beautiful by David McCandless
• Flowing Data by Nathan Yau

Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc. generously hosts the bi-monthly PI Networks in their River View offices in Portland’s Sellwood district. Chapter members Stefanie Slyman of HHPR and Susan Hanson of the Oregon Dept. of Transportation coordinate PI Networks. Each event is followed by a social at the Buffalo Gap eatery and pub where folks deepen their friendships and professional ties.