BY ROGER HOUALAHA
THIS week we share the story of a very young and beautiful Solomon Islander who is an infographics specialist. As many don’t know, Infographics is relatively a new concept of a means of communication.
It is a new and rare job in Solomon Islands.
She is only the female citizen in the country who is specialized in this particular field. She worked her way up and now she’s living her dream of art.
Solomon Women Newspaper (SWN): Tell us about yourself?
Millicent Barty (MB): My name is Millicent Barty. I’m from Malaita and Makira. I’m 25 years old. I grew up in Jarkata, Indonesia and spent ten years there.
SWN: It is known that you have graduated with infographics. Can you please tell us more about as to what your specialty in infographics is?
MB: I started infographics study at The Gold Smith University of London in 2010. In 2013, I graduated with a bachelor honors degree in Arts specialization and design. Well Infographics is a very broad subject. I’m specialized in communication and information graphics. I can translate key messages into graphics.
SWN: How important do you see infographics in today’s modern society?
MB: It is very important today because only about 2% Solomon Islanders speak English. Most people don’t know how to read, especially those living in the rural areas. Sometimes another way to help them understand is to translate the key messages into art.
SWN: What are some of the challenges you experienced with your work?
MB: One of the biggest challenges I face now with work is getting organizations and businesses to grasp the concept of an effective means of communicating important and complex information. With the physical outcome of infographics itself, I face the challenges of balancing the imagery. From my professional work experience, especially with the national general elections communications campaign, there was a challenge of portraying drawings in a way people won’t interpret in a negative way. Either through facial expression or simply the story bond itself. Other challenges are not to be blast with confrontational yet effectively depict a formal and serious issue. All information must be balanced but effectively passes on the key points about the information.
SWN: What is your encouragement to those who are still doing their studies?
MB: I encourage all girls, women even boys and men to focus on their studies and achieving their dreams. Education is an incredible asset, finding your passion and working towards it is so rewarding. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my educational opportunities and hard work. Education for me doesn’t stop after University. I still continue to read and try to learn new things all the time. Information and education are both important in life-but hard work and dedication in everything you put yourself through is always the key to success.
