Visualize Indy - Fountain Square Infographic

Indy's Fountain Square is pretty great.  From the eateries, to the bars, to its art scene, this neighborhood just south east of downtown has got some cool things going on.  I think the recent leg of the cultural trail has created an appealing corridor of restaurants and residential development connecting it to downtown.  As a result, the neighborhood is more connected to the other areas of the city we find really appealing while maintaining its identity. For years now, Fountain Square has been a place where the Fords are likely to spend an evening.  When out of town friends and acquaintances need recommendations, Fountain Square is on my short list.

I chose to create this infographic because I have a soft spot for city planning.  While I'm not an Indy native, I have heard plenty of stories about what Fountain Square was like twenty years ago.  To compare those stories to what we've got now in this neighborhood is pretty impactful.  As I collaborated with some folks from LISC on this infographic, I discovered that this neighborhood's development was not happenstance.  Like most success, it was the result of careful planning with dedicated and passionate people working hard to make things happen. cheers to that.

Click here to view, download, and share the infographic

Visualize Indy - Indianapolis Waterways Infographic

I'd like to present the first of four infographics created from the first wave of my Visualize Indy project.  It's been really neat to see people's reaction to the project.  I've met a lot of passionate people who love this city and I consider them kindred spirits.

This particular infographic was a result of a collaboration with Reconnecting Our Waterways, a nonprofit that is a "collaborative initiative to embrace the waterways that weave our neighborhoods together." My hope is that my fellow Indianapolis denizens will read this and walk away with a larger appreciation for an aspect of the city that often doesn't get its due.

Click here to get to the goods. View the infographic. download it. print it. share it.  It's yours.

Visualize Indy - Request For Proposal

Calling all Indianapolis graphic artists and infographic wizards.  Let's celebrate this city and some of the things that make it great.  Join my Nice grant funded infograpic project.    If you're interested and capable, respond to my RFP here:

Visualize Indy RFP

I want to emphasize that this is a community based project which means no one but you, the graphic artist, receive direct monetary gain.  I only have a $1000 and want to try and produce as many infographics as possible.  So taking this into consideration when drafting your proposal will help ensure you and I and can maximize our contribution to the community.

Additionally, the participating artist(s) get:

• Exposure via Smallbox Web Design's PR Nice grants campaign
• Potential exposure at a public event (Sorry, I must stay vague on this for now)
• The satisfaction around promoting the great things about this great city!
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What more could you want?

My Infographic Project Comes to Life

Smallbox Web Design, a local web consulting firm, recently made real this wonderful little idea called "nicing" and brought it to the masses by means of a small community grant program.  It's a rather simple approach that involves spontaneous and surprising acts of kindness. In this case, it's creating a small grant program for local community projects. Smallbox, with the help of Angie's List, are nicing me by making my local infographic project a reality (I originally blogged about it here). I'm proud to say that of the 188 applicants, I was one of 10 awarded a $1000 grant.  From their site,

Jon Ford was seeking $1,000 to… Link up with a group of graphic artists to create a series of infographics to help visualize different aspects of Indianapolis! We love infographics, and cannot wait to see some of these prints for ourselves! Jon Ford, you have been NICED!  

Why infographics? I think there's great value in being data driven.  Let's make decisions and base opinion off of what we know.  The infographic helps us consume a lot of information quickly and effectively promotes complex themes and ideas, all rooted in data.  No, a community's problems are not all solved by the presence of data alone.  I don't presume that people will make rational decisions just because easily digestible data is available.  But I do think that it has the chance to influence and inform. Not sure what exactly is an infographic?  Check out a Pinterest collection of infographics I've collected.   While you're there take a look at my little Star Wars board too because, well, why not?

Behold, the infographic

What will this project look like?
I envision a series of infographics depicting various aspects of this city including our bike culture, craft beer in the city, food in our city, the art scene, the environment, and the tech scene.  I know that I don't currently have enough funds to see six infographics created, but you get the idea about where my head is at.  When this is all said and done with, the city and any interested person or organization will have open access to these infographics, either for electronic or physical distribution.  I'll create an online home for them to ensure accessibility.  

Lately, I've been meeting with a couple of really smart people whom I consider trusted advisors.  I'm getting some great input on where to find some content as well as graphic designer resources.  I've even had a tentative offer to display these infographics in a public gallery space to compliment another event already scheduled.  That's nice!