EDITORIAL
THE ROLE OF THE DESIGNER IN CONSTRUCTING IMAGES IN THE SHOWCASE OF KNOWLEDGE: FOOD, NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CANCER PREVENTION
EL PAPEL DEL DISEÑADOR EN LA CONSTRUCCIÓN DE IMÁGENES EN LA VITRINA DEL CONOCIMIENTO: ALIMENTACIÓN, NUTRICIÓN Y ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA EN LA PREVENCIÓN DEL CÁNCER
O PAPEL DO DESIGNER NA CONSTRUÇÃO DE IMAGENS NA VITRINE DO CONHECIMENTO: ALIMENTAÇÃO, NUTRIÇÃO E ATIVIDADE FÍSICA NA PREVENÇÃO DO CÂNCER
https://doi.org/10.31011/reaid-2025-v.99-n.3-art.2633
1Moreno Muniz
2Robson Dia Martins
1Designer. Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Orcid: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6738-018X
2Doutor em Biociências e Enfermagem. Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5825-9408
Submission: 27-08-2025
Approval: 29-08-2025
In today’s world, where digital information spreads at a dizzying
pace, the ability to communicate effectively becomes crucial. For an initiative
as vital as the Showcase of Knowledge on Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity
for the Virtual Health Library (VHL) on Cancer Prevention and Control(1),
the mere availability of data is not enough. This is where the irreplaceable
role of the designer comes in. Far from being a mere “beautifier” of content,
the designer is the professional who provides clarity, acting as a visual guide
that transforms written information into visuals, making it more palatable,
understandable, and accessible.
Cancer prevention through healthy habits is a complex topic, full of
scientific nuances and, often, technical terms. For this type of information to
reach a broad and diverse audience, from healthcare professionals to ordinary
citizens, it needs to be presented in an intuitive, inviting, and accessible
way. The designer’s role goes beyond aesthetics; they are responsible for
translating complex data into impactful infographics, organizing extensive
texts into layouts that facilitate reading, choosing color palettes that evoke
appropriate feelings, and selecting typography that ensures legibility and the
hierarchy of information.
For users who access the Showcase of Knowledge, information about the
importance of fiber in the diet or the benefits of aerobic exercise for cancer
prevention must be visually organized, providing a clean, clear, and quick
overview. In this sense, the designer must apply usability and user experience
(UX)(2) principles to create an interface
that invites exploration. They must consider the arrangement of elements, the
ease of navigation between topics, how images illustrate concepts, and how the
Showcase’s visual identity aligns with the seriousness and importance of the
subject.
This type of professional, at their core, is a problem-solver in
communication. In the context of the Showcase of Knowledge, they face the
challenge of making public health information not only available but also
attractive and engaging. This means going beyond simple layout design. It
involves creating icons that represent complex concepts in simple ways,
developing templates for different types of content, whether articles, videos,
or guides, and ensuring that the central message is delivered with clarity and
impact. A well-designed showcase not only informs; it educates, motivates, and
empowers the public to make healthier decisions.
The credibility of an initiative such as the Showcase of Knowledge is
also intrinsically linked to its visual presentation. Professional and cohesive
design conveys trust and authority. Well-chosen colors, proper spacing, and
harmonious typography are not mere aesthetic details; they are elements that
build a perception of seriousness and expertise. In a digital environment where
misinformation is a constant risk, visual quality acts as a seal of assurance,
indicating that the content has been carefully crafted and reviewed.
In short, the presence of the designer in constructing the images of
the Showcase of Knowledge on Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity for the VHL
on Cancer Prevention and Control is not a luxury but a strategic necessity.
They are the bridge between complex science and public understanding, the
craftsman who shapes information so that it is not only seen but truly
absorbed. Without their keen eye for aesthetics and functionality, the
Showcase’s ability to fulfill its mission of informing and preventing would be
significantly compromised. Investing in design is investing in public health,
ensuring that the most vital knowledge is within everyone’s reach in a clear,
objective, and engaging way.
REFERENCE
1. Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde Prevenção e Controle de Câncer. Alimentação, nutrição, atividade física e prevenção do câncer [Internet]. Rio de Janeiro: BVS Prevenção e Controle de Câncer; 2025. [acesso 2025 Jul 08]. Disponível em: https://controlecancer.bvs.br/vitrinas/post_vitrines/alimentacao-nutricao-atividade-fisica-e-prevencao-do-cancer/.
2. Yablonski J. Laws of UX: Using Psychology to Design Better Products & Services. Sebastopol: O'Reilly Media; 2020.
Author Contributions:
All authors contributed to the preparation of the article.
Declaration of Conflicts of Interest:
Nothing to declare.
Funding Sources:
The research received no funding.
Scientific Editor: Francisco Mayron Morais Soares. Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7316-2519
Rev Enferm Atual In Derme 2025;99(3): e025119
Atribuição
CCBY