Information Design / Exercises

11.1.2023 - 24.2.2023 (Week 1 - Week 7)

Takuto Hozumi / 0354047 / Bachelor Of Design (Hons) In Creative Media

Information Design

Exercises

---

LECTURES

Week 1 Module Briefing (11/1/2023)

This module will provide students with the fundamental principles of visual design to assist them to effectively organize, interpret, visualize and execute an appropriate range of visual solutions. These principles form the underpinnings for all visual work both in the programme and in professional practice. Good designers are good communicators. There will be discussions and critiques to help clarify ideas, gain from other viewpoints, learn to articulate/defend ideas, and express

viewpoints.

For more information, refer to the Module Information Booklet in the INSTRUCTION section below.

Week 2 Saul Wurman’s L.A.T.C.H (20/1/2023)

L.A.T.C.H is a method of information organization that consists of these principles;

1. Location
2. Alphabet
3. Time
4. Category
5. Hierarchy

Fig.1-1: LATCH example: Classification of UN Countries

1. Location

Compare information coming from various sources.

• Atlas
• Travel Guide
• Parts of the Body
• Parts of a System

2. Alphabet

Used for very large bodies of information. Not always the best organization method – forced organization rather than natural.

• dictionary
• list of states on a website
• list of student names in a class roster
• When would this be ideal?

3. Time

Used for events that occur over a fixed duration. Easy to understand, easy to draw comparisons and conclusions.

• a joke
• a scenario
• a narrative
• What lends itself to this method of organization?

4. Category

Well reinforced by color & placement. Grouped by similar importance – a value judgment.

• Organization of goods
• Types of activities
• Breeds of animals
• What are some other examples of categorical groupings?

5. Hierarchy

Assign value or weight to the information; usually on a scale

• largest => mediumest
• $$$$ => $
• Other examples?

Week 3 Miller’s Law "Chunking" (27/1/2023)

Miller’s law, chunking, and the capacity of working memory

In 1956, George Miller asserted that the span of immediate memory and absolute judgment were both limited to around 7 pieces of information. 

The human brain can only remember a limited number of things instantly.

Chunking, or clustering, is the function of grouping information together related by perceptual features. This is a form of semantic relation, such as types of fruit, parts of speech, or 1980s fashion. Chunking allows the brain to increase the channel capacity of the short-term memory; however, each chunk must be meaningful to the individual.

For these reasons, categorizing many things into 5~9 chunks will allow you to remember more information than if you remember them randomly. This can be applied to the field of design.

Fig.1-2: Phone Number

Fig.1-3: 4 Digit Number ×4 (Total 16)

The figures above are examples of how a number with many digits can be divided into several chunks to make it easier to remember.

Week 4 Manuel Lima’s 9 Directives Manifesto (3/2/2023)

Manuel Lima’s 9 Directives Manifesto

Information visualization is a process that transforms abstract data into visual representations of semantics that attempt to communicate complex ideas clearly, while allowing the user to query the data in real time.

Manuel Lima’s Information Visualization Manifesto, as published on the blog VisualComplexity.com, provides a working list that can help provide clarity on what Information Visualization through 9 directives, why information visualization differs from information art or infographics. 

1. Form Follows Function: “the purpose should always be centered on the explanation, which in turn leads to insight.” Start with a Question: Your work should always be driven by a query

2. Interactivity is Key: allows for investigation and learning through discovery

3. Cite Your Source: always disclose where your data originated

4. The Power of Narrative: Humans love stories

5. Do Not Glorify Aesthetics: “should always be a consequence and never a goal”

6. Look for Relevancy: why are you visualizing the information?

7. Embrace Time: Time is difficult to work with but rich

8. Aspire for Knowledge: “A core ability of Information Visualization is to translate information into knowledge. It’s also to facilitate understanding and aid cognition.”

9. Avoid Gratuitous Visualizations: “should respond as a cognitive filter, an empowered lens of insight, and should never add more noise to the flow”

Reference: http://www.visualcomplexity.com/vc/blog/?p=644

---

INSTRUCTION

Week 1 - Task 1: Group Task (13/1/2023)

Different types of infographics & online tools

By now you must have realized that there are many types of infographic to cater all sorts of information. As a designer, it is crucial for you to find the right style to engage and communicate information quickly and clearly.

In a group, find out what are the different types of infographic + the kind of information they’re applicable for + an example for each identified type.

Our group selected the following 10 representative infographics from further research.

Type List

1. List infographics 
2. Statistical infographics 
3. How-to infographics 
4. Timeline infographics 
5. Comparison infographics 
6. Map and location infographics 
7. Flowchart infographics 
8. Process description infographics
9. Mixed chart
10. Hierarchical infographic

Fig.2-1: Presentation Slides (13/1/2023)

Week 1 - Task 2: Individual Task (13/1/2023)

To re-design one poorly constructed infographic poster, post it in blog.

I firstly start by selecting a poorly designed infographic. The idea that immediately came to mind was data published by government agencies. Often they do not have a design department, and we see the cases where even important data is published with terrible designs that look as if they were created in Microsoft Office.

Fig.2-2: The selected material I will apply to this task

The above "map and location infographics" can be applied to this diagram. Here are the parts I found particularly problematic.

• medium font
• The visual image of the icon does not match the item (ex. ■=Citrus fruits)
• Lack of a visual description of the land

Fig.2-3: Deformation of Map

Although the topography is very accurate in the original one, I thought it would be better to simplify and deform it for the infographic and change the shape to one that is visually easier to understand. I have changed this to an impression that would be used for weather news in TV.

Fig.2-4: Icon Design

Then I have set up icons that are visually meaningful, rather than just rectangles.

Fig.2-5: Color Keying

This is not very precise data, and is intended to be an easy-to-understand design for the general public. Therefore, as with the map, the shape of the area will be somewhat simplified to achieve a highly visible design.

Fig.2-6: Task 2 Final ver. (15/1/2023)

Week 1 - Exercise 1: Quantify & visualize data

Assignment Outline

In this assignment, quantify (count) students' own selections and arrange them in an easy-to-read layout or chart.

 

Fig.2-7: Sample Image of the Assignment

• Jar of stuffs​

Find a jar with similar contents like buttons, candies, coins etc., and sort the items accordingly​.

The information should be presented as is. To make the quantities and data easy to visualize, arrange the objects while writing out the relevant indicators with a pen. Take a picture of the final assembly.

My Material of Choice - Coin (Malaysia Ringgit)

Fig.2-8: My Jar of stuffs​

I am a foreigner and do not own many collectible items. So I decided to use coins for now.

Fig.2-9: Sort Operation

I first sorted the coins by pattern to see how many of each coin there were. For example, some of the same 5-sen coins have different patterns depending on when they were manufactured. Therefore, the coins were further sorted by pattern and quantified.

Fig.2-10: Arranging for Final Assembly

For better visibility, coins with larger numbers are stacked every 10 coins and represented 3-dimensionally.

Fig.2-11: Final Assembly Original Photo (17/1/2023)

It is just a coincidence that the grand total is a nice round number.

Fig.2-12: Final Assembly (additional)

This is an extra, but the example (ex-student work) in the assignment outline slides looked like the background had been organized, so I edited it in Photoshop and attempted to eliminate the paper and table.

Week 2 - Group Task (20/1/2023)

Different types of infographics & online tools

Discuss as a group each of the situations in which L.A.T.C.H. is used and summarize them on a slide for each item.

Fig.2-13: Presentation Slides (20/1/2023)

Week 2 - Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H

Assignment Outline

Organize a group of information into a visual poster that combined and utilizes the LATCH principles (min. 4)

These are a few of the suggested compiled data you can use or, you can pick any topic you want:

Pokedex: https://pokemondb.net/pokedex/

FFXIV Bestiary: https://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Category:Bestiary

Dinosaurs: https://www.mainstreetsmiles.com/fun-stuff/teeth-25-dinosaurs-prehistoric-creatures/

Requirements

Size resolution: 1240 × 1750 pixels or 2048 × 2048 pixels

Use a digital photo editing / illustration software available to assemble the pokemons into a LATCH infographic poster. You can re-use back the images of the monsters, but do create the rest of your own visuals to complete the poster. 

Pokedex

I chose Pokédex as my theme. The reason is as follows: the characteristics of the Pokémon fit into the five principles of L.A.T.C.H and seem to be the best way to demonstrate them.

• Locations - Habitat Map

Habitat varies from Pokémon to Pokémon.

• Time - Evolution of Pokémon as they grow

As they grow, Pokémon evolve and change their appearance.

• Category - Type of Pokémon

Each Pokémon has 1~2 type.

• Hierarchy - The compatibility of types (for Pokémon Battle)

In Pokémon battles, damage increases or decreases depending on the compatibility between the type of attacking move and the opponent's type.

Note that I do not use A of L.A.T.C.H (sort alphabetically) because when sorting by name, the relationships are more difficult to understand, they are placed without regard to the type or evolutionary lineage.

Fig.2-14: Start designing

While determining the approximate placement, draw the objects to be placed, such as trees and houses.

Fig.2-15: Image Collection

Collect images of Pokémon for posters. I have chosen to use images of Pokémon from generations I am familiar with. Young kids today may not know them.

ThenI looked for images that would serve as material for the visual design.

Fig.2-16: Map key visual (Latest version of game)

I looked it as a reference for the color scheme.

Fig.2-17: Map in Game screen

Fig.2-18: Map in Game screen 2

Fig.2-19: Almost

When I was a kid, I remember playing Pokemon in its early days on the Game Boy. I had the impression that Pokémon at that time were adventures on bicycles, and I drew the images of forests, volcanoes, and piers, recalling the objects on the in-game maps of the time. And I put grass a lot because Pokémon emerge from the grass.

Fig.2-20: Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H Final ver. (23/1/2023)

While incorporating a bit of the atmosphere of the original, the map was deformed to avoid information overload as an infographic, and an attempt was made to make the information on L.A.T.C.H. clear.

Week 3 - Group Task (27/1/2023)

In your group, present an explanation on the topic and provide an example of how to best utilize this technique in terms of visual delivery for each of these approaches:

1- A well-designed infographic

2- UX/UI, web, app, games (screen-based basically)

3- Processes (you can refer to Project 1 brief as an example or other topics)

Fig.2-21: Presentation Slides (27/1/2023)

Week 4 - Group Task (3/2/2023)

Manuel Lima’s 9 Directives Manifesto

In your group, present an explanation on this topic and find one example of how to best display and utilize design for each of the directives. 

As conclusion, do also present one good designed infographic that best illustrate of the 9 directives for information visualizations and one poorly designed infographics that failed to address the directives.

Fig.2-22: Presentation Slides (3/2/2023)

---

REFLECTIONS

Experiences

This exercise is based on in-class lectures on information design, then 1. group discussion about principles, and 2. to create a design that reflects are the main focus. We learned about basic information design and in particular about the following three rules;

1. Saul Wurman's L.A.T.C.H
2. Miller's Law "Chunking"
3. Manuel Lima's 9 Directives Manifesto

Observation

Saul Wurman's L.A.T.C.H. seemed like the thing to do early in the design process with regard to classifying information. Miller's Law "Chunking" provides a concrete theory for presenting categorized data to the viewer in a more understandable way. Among these, I found Manuel Lima's 9 Directives Manifesto to be a different method compared to other frameworks of design. I consider this method to be less focused on visual aesthetics and more on information-driven design.

Findings

I had the impression that these classes were like "sets" in mathematics. Each piece of information has its own parameters and attributes. And it is up to the designer to decide how to classify them. During the creation process, I wondered if I showed this infographic design I had created to someone who knew nothing about it, would it be easy to understand? I asked myself many times. Because humans are subjective, no matter how much I think about it, the result is only imaginary. So I think it is worthwhile to learn specific methods at the beginning.