Design a persuasive poster or infographic

A persuasive poster or infographic is a visual argument. Every design choice — where you place the headline, which colors you use, how large the image is — is a persuasive decision. When done well, a viewer understands your message and feels compelled to act within seconds of looking at it.

The Five Zones of a Persuasive Poster

• Headline — the largest text; states the main message or hook in under eight words.
• Image / Visual — the central illustration, photo, or graphic that reinforces the message emotionally.
• Key Message — one or two sentences that expand on the headline and state the argument.
• Stats / Evidence — a striking fact, statistic, or quotation that backs up the claim.
• Call to Action — tells the reader exactly what to do next (e.g. "Sign the petition", "Join us", "Learn more").

Visual Hierarchy: Making the Eye Move

Visual hierarchy is the order in which a viewer's eye travels across a design. Designers control this using four tools: size (larger = more important), contrast (dark on light or bold color grabs attention), placement (top-center is read first; bottom is last), and color (warm colors like red advance; cool colors recede). Your headline should sit at the top in the largest font. The call to action should be isolated at the bottom so it stands out.

Color and Font for Persuasion

• Limit your palette to two or three colors — too many colors create visual noise.
• Use a bold, readable font for the headline; a clean serif or sans-serif for body text.
• Red and orange create urgency; blue and green suggest trust and calm.
• High contrast between text and background ensures readability at a distance.

Example: A poster arguing "Save Our Oceans" might use a deep blue background, a large photograph of a sea turtle, a bold white headline at the top, a single statistic about plastic pollution in the middle, and a red "Donate Now" button at the bottom. Each choice reinforces the emotional and logical appeal.