Upcoming Workshop
From Ideas to Impact: Plain Language Meets Design Thinking
Build your plain language skills with our hands-on workshop.
Date & Time: May 22, 2025, at 1:30-5:00 PM ET
Location: National Press Club, Washington D.C.
You can choose to attend this workshop on its own or take advantage of our discounted bundle with the annual ClearMark Awards, held later that evening.
Take Your Plain Language Expertise to the Next Level and Kick Off the ClearMark Awards with Creativity and Impact
This fun and interactive workshop will show you how to improve communication by putting your audience first. You’ll walk away with practical skills to create clearer, more effective projects. Led by experienced instructors, this session is perfect for anyone looking to combine plain language and creative thinking in their work.
What You’ll Do
- Work on real-life examples to see how plain language and design thinking go together.
- Learn how to keep your audience at the center of every project.
- Leave with tools and tips you can use right away.
What You’ll Gain
- Innovative Insights: Discover how design thinking strengthens plain language for clearer, more effective communication.
- Hands-On Learning: Engage in interactive exercises that bring these concepts to life.
- Practical Takeaways: Leave with actionable strategies you can apply to any project.
Workshop Leaders
Nina Toivonen: Legal Design Expert
Nina Toivonen is a lawyer and doctoral researcher specializing in legal design at the University of Helsinki, Finland. She holds a master’s degree in legal design and legal expertise from the Laurea University of Applied Sciences and is the co-founder and co-host of Legal Design Podcast. Nina has worked as a legal designer and a legal counsel for the City of Helsinki and was one of the co-guest editors of The Clarity Journal’s 2024 special issue on legal design.
Lizzie Barnett: Senior Director, CommunicateHealth
Lizzie Barnett, ScD, is a social scientist with expertise in health behavior and human-centered design research. As Senior Director of Research and Communication Strategy at CommunicateHealth, Lizzie oversees a team of research and communication strategists devoted to making health information easy to find, understand, and use. Her background in public health and commitment to advancing health equity ground her work from start to finish. Lizzie brings a combination of curiosity, energy, and levity to every presentation — driven by her experiences as a researcher in her current life, athlete in her former life, and comedic voice actor in her pretend life.Michael (Mike) Kittredge: Creative Director, CommunicateHealth
Michael Kittredge is the Creative Director at CommunicateHealth, Inc., bringing over 17 years of expertise in visual design, storytelling, and user-centered communication strategies. He excels at applying design thinking to tackle complex challenges, creating accessible and engaging materials, and advancing health equity through innovative visual solutions. Michael’s work is rooted in a commitment to audience-centered design for impactful and meaningful communication.
Barbra Kingsley, PhD: Plain Language Expert
Barbra is co-founder of Kingsley-Kleimann Group and has over 25 years of experience managing high-impact projects to create clear, usable information. She is a plain language expert with a deep understanding of how individuals, particularly vulnerable populations, use print and online documents. She teaches design thinking to professionals who seek to create innovative solutions that truly meet users’ needs. In addition to her consulting work, Barbra is the current Chair of the Center for Plain Language, and she represents the Center on the Board of the International Plain Language Federation.
Pricing
- Center for Plain Language Members & Government Employees: $250
- Non-Members: $285
- Late Registrants (May 16-22): $315
Elevate Your Plain Language Skills and Maximize Your ClearMark Experience
This workshop is the perfect lead-up to the prestigious ClearMark Awards. It will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to tackle your next challenge.
Want to attend just the workshop? No problem! It’s also a great stand-alone opportunity to gain practical plain language skills you can apply right away to create meaningful impact in your organization and beyond.
Reserve Your Spot Today!
Register for the Workshop Only Save with the Workshop + Awards Bundle
Stay tuned to learn about our next training opportunity and become a member to ensure you get a discounted rate!