Design & Layout
Mayo developed multiple options for the design of the report to ensure consensus on a color scheme, heading styles, images and graphics, as well as page layouts.
USAID Climate Strategy
U.S. Agency for International Development
Overview
THE ISSUE
In 2021, USAID developed a new climate strategy to guide the agency’s work through 2030. A high priority for the agency, development of the strategy was rapid process, yet required inputs and review by hundreds of staff and dozens of experts inside and outside of the agency.
01
OUR APPROACH
To inform the design and layout, Stanford Smith and Drake Mayo met with different technical teams to discuss aims, audiences, and key messages. Since the text would only be finalized close to the publication and launch date, they created a design template and ensured pre-approval of all visual assets.
02
WHAT WE DID
Smith and Mayo worked closely with USAID communications and technical teams to support the design, final editing and promotion of the strategy. This included assistance to organize and review over 2,800 comments on the draft, and well as development of new infographics, a video, and other promotional materials.
03
Translation into Other Languages
Smith also led translation of the final strategy into Spanish, French, Arabic, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Launch and Promotion
Smith and Mayo collaborated with USAID staff to develop a launch plan and promotional collateral, including a video, fact sheet, social media content, and printed versions of the strategy for the official launch event.
Communicating Progress on the Strategy
Smith also worked closely with USAID communications and technical staff to support the drafting and design of the first annual update on the strategy in 2023, and a StoryMap-based interactive update in 2024. Support was also provided for slide decks, FAQs, webinars, and newsletters.
Project Outcomes
Widespread Coverage of Strategy Launch
The launch, on Earth Day 2022, was a success: press coverage was significant, as were social media, YouTube, and website metrics. This contributed to USAID’s goals of generating greater urgency and ambition in tackling climate change among agency staff, partners, and other stakeholders.
Requests for the Strategy in More Languages
Requests for translation of the strategy into Spanish, French, Arabic, and Brazilian Portuguese was one indicator of the interest and success of the promotion. The translations have facilitated greater understanding and access to the details of the strategy among USAID’s missions, partner governments, and global audiences.