This artifact is an infographic designed for policymakers and budget planners. I created this piece during Project 3, when we were learning how to present research in a way that fits the expectations of a particular professional audience. This assignment required us to think beyond a traditional essay and communicate information visually and concisely. The infographic summarizes the long-term operating and maintenance costs of the F-22 and compares them to potential material alternatives. Its purpose was to give policymakers a quick, data-driven reason to consider funding research into better jet materials. I chose to include this artifact because it represents one of the clearer examples of my ability to translate technical research into a format that decision-makers can use—something that’s valuable in both engineering and real-world communication.
The second artifact I included is the public email, which was also created during Project 3. This part of the assignment focused on communicating complex ideas in an accessible way for a non-technical audience. The goal of the email was to explain the same issue—material inefficiency in fighter jets—but in language that everyday taxpayers could understand and care about. It uses simpler explanations, relatable examples, and a more conversational tone to show how jet materials connect to environmental impact and public spending. I decided to include this artifact because it demonstrates a completely different communication skill: taking dense, research-heavy material and turning it into something clear and approachable. It also shows my ability to adjust tone and style depending on who I’m talking to, which was a major learning goal of the course.