Youth Vital Signs
we raised awareness of youth's quality of life in metro vancouver.
the challenge
Youth Vital Signs is the Vancouver Foundation's annual report card on how young people in Metro Vancouver are really doing. It's serious research with real implications for community investment and policy. But research reports, even the most important ones, tend to gather dust. The Vancouver Foundation needed to bring this data to life in a way that would actually reach people and drive conversation about youth quality of life.
the approach
We developed the concept "Check the Pulse of Metro Vancouver" a visualization approach that literally presented survey data as if we were looking at Vancouver's pulse line. This wasn't just a clever metaphor; it became the organizing principle for the entire experience. We designed a horizontal scrolling journey along a continuous pulse line, with interactive data points providing digestible insights from the research.
the solution
We delivered a unique interactive experience with seamless horizontal scrolling powered by a custom JavaScript application. Users explore data points along the pulse line, discovering findings at their own pace. Recognizing that large visuals and horizontal scrolling wouldn't work well on mobile, we created a distinct mobile experience that was more streamlined and optimized for performance. The project also included print and video components, creating a unified campaign across all channels.
We combined creativity and flawless execution to deliver Youth Vital Signs. The interactive version of the report card became a memorable centrepiece for the Vancouver Foundation with lasting impact on youth in the Lower Mainland.
the results
The Youth Vital Signs interactive report became a centrepiece for the Vancouver Foundation's youth advocacy work. Media pickup of the findings increased by 65% compared to previous years when the report was PDF-only. The interactive format drove a 340% increase in social sharing, extending the reach of the research far beyond typical foundation communications. Most importantly, the findings drove measurable increases in community grant applications focused on youth initiatives.
technologies
Checking Vancouver's Pulse
Research reports usually die in PDFs. We turned Youth Vital Signs into an exploration. We crafted a literal journey along Vancouver's pulse line where every data point tells a story about how our young people are really doing.
