Cancer is a difficult subject for many to discuss, and demands a sensitive approach. As part of their Living With and Beyond Cancer (LWABC) programme, Macmillan needed to communicate the impact of cancer in a particular region of the North of England. Focusing on three cancers – breast, bowel and prostate cancer – Macmillan were looking for a way of communicating the facts in an honest and accurate, yet human way. They were open to creating some interactive content, but wanted the primary output to be static and printable.

We analysed the data provided by Macmillan and shaped it into a format suitable for visual presentation as an interactive one pager alongside a series of standalone static infographics – one for the overall region and one for each of the eight subregions, each following a similar format and story. We wrote the copy for the infographics in line with Macmillan’s tone of voice guidelines, then developed wireframes with data visualisations. After client feedback, we moved to the design phase, adding colour and illustrations. Then we added a layer of interactivity by creating a simple clickable map of the regions to serve as the access point for the static infographics.

The infographics serve as a valuable resource for those on the ground in the LWABC region – those affected by cancer, their families and their doctors. Their warm, human design reminds us that there are people behind the statistics, and good things to say as well as bad – more people are surviving cancer than ever before.