We are proud to present this year’s ClearMark Awards, the best plain language communications created by North American organizations. These award recipients provide models of plain language principles in action. Scroll through our winners on this page or jump directly to a particular category winner using the links directly below.
Digital: Email and Newsletters
English Grand ClearMark Winner:
Spanish Grand ClearMark Winner:
Virginia Medicaid Managed Care (Medallion 4.0) website, MAXIMUS Center for Health Literacy
Category Winners and Finalists
Before and After Digital
CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service Website, Westat
Judges’ comments
“This entry is an excellent example of rethinking a site based on understanding the different audiences and their top tasks. How heartening it is to read about such a fully user-centered design process.”
Finalists
- Westat
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Palladian Partners, Inc.
Before and After Print
Virginia Department of Elections’ What ifs: a complete guide for helping voters with exceptional situations
Judges’ comments:
“This [is an] excellent guide to handling difficult problems on election day. Its structure enables ease of use, its language ease of understanding, and its overall revision ease of helping voters … Congratulations on your contribution to plain language and democracy!”
Finalists
- Great-West Life
- WoodmenLife
- Center for Civic Design with Virginia Department of Elections
- Aetna
- UAMS Center for Health Literacy
Brochures over 10 pages
Hydroxyurea for Sickle Cell Disease, CommunicateHealth
Judges’ comments
“This is a well-thought effort that gets better each time you read through it … Complex medical concepts are translated into everyday language that users will be able to understand. I absolutely would use this booklet as a prime example of plain-language writing and design.”
Finalists
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- CommunicateHealth
- Institute for Healthcare Advancement
- Start Smart Foundations
Brochures up to 10 pages
Breastfeed Your Baby to Reduce the Risk of SIDS Handout, Palladian Partners, Inc.
Judges’ comments:
“This simply designed brochure will help reinforce important safety messages about breastfeeding helping to reduce the risk of SIDS … Very helpful integration of tips to give direction on what to do in challenging or risky situations. Well done!”
Finalists
- Anthem (2 finalist submissions)
- Institute of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology along with University of Chicago Medicine,
- Palladian Partners, Inc.
Apps and Microsites
Minnesota Sales Tax Rate Interactive Map, Minnesota Department of Revenue
Judges’ comments
“ Gaining insight from a survey and web-data analysis, the developers cut directly to a clear, effective solution for the audience’s specific need – a map. Without distracting add-ons, the map is incredible easy to navigate, and its layout lets you not only find tax rates for a specific area but also compare them across the state.”
Finalists:
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
- MAXIMUS Center for Health Literacy
- Minnesota Department of Revenue
- Plainly Speaking with Export Development Canada
Emails and Newsletters
Category winner: Growing Families Together, AdoptUSKids
Judges’ comments:
“This entry demonstrates plain language writing and information design very well, especially considering some of the particular government standards and policies which the organization must follow in its communications … The results suggest that the audience analysis, testing, and frequent revisions have paid off in improved engagement.”
Finalists
- AdoptUSKids
- Sallie Mae
- Anthem
- The Standard
Websites
Together by St. Jude, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Judges’ comments
“The website makes a topic as difficult and emotional as Cancer approachable and clear. The team clearly understands that cancer is more than medical jargon, so they address personal struggles as well as hospital ones. And they genuinely want their audiences to understand what’s written.”
Finalists:
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Forms, Applications, and Statements
Michigan Medigap Subsidy Program Application, MAXIMUS Center for Health Literacy
Judges’ comments:
“This subsidy application works hard to reach an audience that may struggle with financial forms because of low literacy, low numeracy, or a combination of both. Thanks to effective graphic design, the application helps users see exactly what they need to provide, taking the guesswork away from the consumer.”
Finalists:
- Anthem
- MAXIMUS Center for Health Literacy
Infographics
Don’t Ignore Your Pelvic Floor Infographic, Palladian Partners
Judges’ comments:
“This infographic will enable women to recognize whether or not they have a pelvic floor disorder and know that they can talk to their doctor about treatment options … Headings and bold text guide readers through each section, while typography, color, and whitespace enhance the readability. This piece works on so many levels.”
Finalists
- Aetna
- Palladian Partners, Inc.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of EMS
Letters and Correspondence
Making state audits readable, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Judges’ comments
“This is an extraordinary entry no matter which category held it. Even without the before examples, the revised versions are spectacularly successful. I’ve never seen judges agree so thoroughly in their scores and comments. It’s an outstanding piece of work in all elements, including evaluation and the impact on its organization.”
Finalists
- Anthem
- Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
- Massachusetts Health Connector
Posters, Charts, Fliers
“Move Your Way” Fact Sheets, CommunicateHealth
Judges’ comments
“After viewing this entry, it’s hard to stay still. Its visuals enliven the spirit, and its clear messaging gives a concrete sense of physical activity’s importance to the body, mind, and soul … The result is a model of plain language in its language choices and signposting, crisp writing, and visuals that connect with the eye and mind.”
Finalists
- Plainly Speaking along with Crime Prevention Ottawa
- Magellan Health
- CommunicateHealth
- Anthem
Spanish
Virginia Medicaid Managed Care (Medallion 4.0) website, MAXIMUS Center for Health Literacy
Judges’ comments:
“The design invites the audience to keep reading, and you can spot the important information at a glance. What’s more, the smart consumer testing validated the choices made for the web site, while uncovering areas for improvement. Overall, a solid example of plain language principles, and it should translate to higher enrollment rates and better informed consumers.”
Finalists:
- MAXIMUS Center for Health Literacy
- Cancer Support Community
- CommunicateHealth