Become a Story Co-Design Partner

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    Why does WE4H use stories for health/science outreach?

    WE4H creates and uses graphic style stories to use for health outreach for all ages.

    • Humans are wired for stories.
      Stories speak to the part of the brain where decisions are made.
    • Stories make it easier for people to remember.
    • Reading out loud can help people to feel ownership of the information.
    • Graphic-style stories makes it easy for people of all ages and with a wide range of literacy levels to read stories out loud together because the text is less dense and pictures support the words in conveying information.

    Who are WE4H “Co-Design Partners”?

    WE4H co-design partners are people who want to use graphic stories for health/science outreach, usually in programming or events associated with their workplace or organizations they belong to. Their mission intersects with the health and science outreach mission of WE4H in some way.

    For example,

    • An environmental group might want to educate community members about the impact of green spaces on human health.
    • A health researcher might want to help prospective research subjects understand the goals and value of the research.
    • A community organization might want to support local residents’ efforts to limit chronic diseases.

    What does co-design mean in the WE4H project?

    By “co-design” of stories, we mean actively collaborating with co-design partners and target audiences in the story development process.

    Co-designing includes meeting to understand needs and views of the target community, creation and critique of scripts, and review of the final product. 

    Co-designing requires planning for a longer timeline to properly involve everyone, but the benefit is worth the time.

    What are the steps in the co-design process?

    Who is involved in the co-design process?

    YOU: Person/organization who wants to use graphic stories for health/science outreach in programming or events

    Supported by:

    • WE4H team: WE4H staff, WE4H interns, community representatives, and health/science faculty members associated with the WE4H project
    • Target audience members:
      Provide perspective of the topic or represent the target audience in some way.
    • Content experts:
      Science, education, or medical professionals who particularly provide input on content accuracy.

    How does the co-design process work?

    Co-design group members will

    1. Participate in a Co-Design Orientation session
    2. Be part of brainstorming sessions to set the parameters of the story
    3. Participate in drafting the story script (if desired) OR have WE4H do the initial drafting.
    4. Provide feedback on the story script.
    5. Participate in creating the comic layout of the story OR have WE4H do the initial layout.
    6. Provide feedback on the comic layout.
    7. Help organize a story testing session with additional members of the target audience.

    Send WE4H a contact form, and we’ll get in touch to discuss your co-designed story ideas!

    Resources for WE4H co-designers

    Are you interested in the co-design process?

    Complete the form at the link below and a WE4H team member will get in touch soon!

    get notified!

    We hate spam too! Your e-mail address will not be sold or shared.

    Meet Big Sam

    Big Sam is a 40-something security guard at the high school Jazzy and Vito attend. Big Sam is worried about his health and recently found out his blood pressure is high. He covers up his worries with jokes. He lives in the apartment above Miss Georgia.

    Meet Jazzy

    Jazzy is a cheerful younger high school age girl. She is a cheerleader and does gymnastics. She enjoys spending time with older people and loves to bake with Miss Georgia. She has asthma and works hard to control it so she can enjoy her activities.

    Meet Cardi

    Cardi is a 30-something aerobics teacher at the community center who loves to help people get more fit and healthy but can be a bit too much “in your face” about it. She means well though!

    Meet Vito

    Vito is a plays-it-cool older high schooler who is sweet-natured at heart. He plays basketball at the community center and is friends with Jazzy. He loves pop and chips and can’t see why eating all he wants of them is a problem.

    Meet Pops

    Pops is a retired high school science teacher who loves to keep helping people learn about science and health. He likes to check out what everyone is doing or talking about and step in to give his opinion.

    Meet Miss Georgia

    Miss Georgia is a fun-loving lady in her 50’s who loves to sing, dance, and bake. She is always helping out at community events. She recently found out she has diabetes, and she is learning new ways to cook.