So a realist protocol isn’t set in stone. You can go around the dragon. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing 10 of the cartoons I created for the Rameses Project on realist evaluation. Visit that site to get access to the full collection. If you’re at all interested in the illustration process […]
Illustrating Models and Theories of Change
The research and evaluation worlds are filled with boxes and arrows. The models that are built this way become central to how projects are imagined and evaluated. As an exercise in program design or research design, I think your everyday box and arrow type of model is fine. But when it comes time to disseminate, […]
New Seedlings by Mady
My daughter joined me at work today, as she has been doing weekly over the latter part of the summer. I asked her to draw me a picture and write me a poem for my blog. She also drew a picture of me to go alongside. Here is Mady’s poem. It’s called New Seedlings. Lovely […]
Confederate Monument History
In case it was too subtle in the cartoon. Confederate monuments were not memorials but part of a toolbox used by racists to intimidate blacks especially during the early through mid 1900s. They should not be sitting in front of public courthouses with plaques that give the impression that they are just simple memorials. They […]
Tableau Like
Another day another website. I decided to split off my professional data design work and start building an online portfolio. So if you want to get a sense for what my professional visualization work looks like, head over to Lysy Design.
Tableau Dashboards
We collect tons of data every single minute of every single day. Unfortunately, not all of that data is in a format or location where we could access it and start to understand the lessons embedded within. If you do find yourself with a lot of data, building a dashboard could help pave the way […]
Vector and Interactive Infographics
Today’s reporting needs are diverse. No more getting by with a long end of year report and a couple of briefs. Contemporary reports are layered collections of social media images, print one-pagers, posters, infographics, websites, and videos. I design infographics using professional vector graphic design tools. By creating graphics using math instead of pixels, you […]
Charts and Illustration
Simple is hard, but it’s not impossible. Charts and Models Models don’t have to be boring tables. We can use simple illustration and color to help our models stand out and deliver the information we want them to deliver. Simple illustrations, in the forms of icons, and short narrative sentences can completely transform a model. Turning […]
Social Media Content Strategy
There was a time when using the web just meant putting up a simple business webpage or uploading your report to your organization site. But times have changed. If you actually care about reaching your audience or finding new clients, you need a strategy. Here is the one I use with my clients. 1. Funnel […]
A Tableau Revisit
Back during my Westat days, I was always a little surprised by how few Tableau licenses found their way into employee’s hands. We had a lot a data and the kinds of projects that could clearly afford to foot the bill for a license or two. But there were a couple of things that really […]
Single and Multi-Response Icon Arrays
I recently had the opportunity to work with the team at YouthPower to visualize their Systematic Review of Positive Youth Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. They had a very common data visualization problem. How do you differentiate the visuals for single response and multi-response data? This is a place where a lot of people […]
More Holiday Time
So one of my clients works with overseas teams in both India and the Philippines. One of his challenges is helping his clients understand the different holiday schedules for overseas workers. I wish we had 25 public holidays a year!










