Project management: Dutch to English translation of infographics
The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification.
As part of their communications strategy, PEFC Netherlands wanted to produce a range of infographics to: a) encourage PEFC-certified companies to promote their PEFC credentials, and b) encourage other companies to work towards certification. I worked with the organisation’s communications and marketing team to produce English-language versions of these infographics.
This particular infographic explains how PEFC-certified companies can make it clear that they use sustainable wood and paper. The infographic format provides readers with a visual representation of the information, presented clearly as well as being eye-catching and engaging to both Dutch and English speakers.
Like the Dutch original text, the English version needed to be clear, concise and succinct. Since the infographic combined visuals with text, it was essential the two worked hand-in-hand. And given that one of the aims of the texts was to persuade readers to join PEFC, it also needed to have a memorable message that inspired action.
I worked with a skilled translator specialised in agriculture and sustainability. I made sure to brief them thoroughly, and we discussed how the syntax could be tweaked to suit an Anglophone readership and how to make sure the text worked alongside the visuals.
