Abstract

Drawing on literature from visual communication, health information design, and emergency response messaging, we propose a framework for increasing the equity, efficacy, and efficiency of graphic materials in response to Canada’s opioid crisis. Using this framework, we evaluate existing materials to identify themes and gaps. We conclude by proposing future research and studies that consider the role of visual communication design in response design materials produced as a response to the opioid crisis in Canada. This framework discusses the effectiveness of graphic communication in emergency response communication. This framework suggests that the usability of procedural instructions is dependent upon a clear hierarchy of information and an intuitive sequencing of steps. It includes consideration of the title size in proportion to the explanation, using color to draw attention to key information, and including the sensory experience of the lay responder by referring to sound, feeling, pressure, and vision of the event.