Information Design: Exercises, FLIP Topics & Practical

08/02/2024 - /03/2024 / Week 1 - Week 

Lim En Yu / 0354452

Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor’s University 

Exercises, FLIP Topics & Practical

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Instructions

2. Exercise 1: Quantify & Visualize Data

3. Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H

4. FLIP Topics

5. Practicals

6. Feedback

7. Reflection

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Instructions

Fig 1.1 Module Information

Fig 1.2 Exercise & Assignment Brief

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Exercise 1: Quantify & Visualize Data

For week 1 classes, we are required to bring either a jar of buttons, legos, coins, mnms or a bug out bag in order to quantify it and arrange the objects into a presentable layout or chart.

For me, I have chosen a set of legos to arrange with.

Fig 2.1 Set of legos, Week 1 (08/02/2024)

First, before I started to arrange it, I begin with data sorting and arrangement which enable me to know about all the data that I have so that I could think a better way of visualize it. Also, I have counted the quantity of each types of lego that I have.

Fig 2.2 Data sorting and arrangement, Week 1 (08/02/2024)

After I have tried out several ways of presenting it, I feel that presenting it by chart is the most efficient and easiest way to present it clearly. I have arranged and separated the legos by number of holes and quantity. Besides that, the colour of each lego has also been indicated at the side of it. Below is the picture of the final outcome.

Fig 2.3 Final data presented visually, Week 1 (08/02/2024)

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

On week 2, we are introduced to our second exercise which is L.A.T.C.H exercise. Basically, we have to organize a group of information into a visual poster that combined and utilizes the LATCH principles (location, alphabet, time, categories, hierarchy).

We are provided several suggested compiled data like Pokedex, FXIV Bestiary and dinosaur. I have chosen Pokodex and started to proceed with data collection during the class. Other than that, I have also find some visual reference online to get some inspirations on layout and the design style I am going to work with.

Fig 3.1 Visual references for L.A.T.C.H infographic, Week 2 (15/02/2024)

Based on the visual references that I got online, the theme of my infographic will be pixelate and with simple layouts such as simple boxes and texts.

Before I proceed to work on Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, I have done a draft of the infographic's layout and the information that each principle represent.

Location: Routes in Akala island

Alphabet: Order of types of Pokemons

Categories: Types of Pokemons

Hierarchy: HP values of Pokemons

Fig 3.2 Draft of L.A.T.C.H infographic, Week 2 (15/02/2024)

After completing my draft, I progress by importing the title and the map of Pokedex into Adobe Illustrator. I added the title and map after masking it out at Adobe Photoshop. For the background, I decided to apply blue colour in gradient.

Fig 3.3 Work in progress #1, Week 2 (15/02/2024)

Besides that, I have applied the overlay bleding mode of pixel texture on the background which showcase a pixelate effect. On the  other hand, I have also added the semi transparent boxes and labels of the pokemon types with the icons. After that, I just imported the images of the Pokemons after masking it out in Adobe Photoshop.

Fig 3.4 Work in progress #2, Week 2 (15/02/2024)

Fig 3.5 Work in progress #3, Week 2 (15/02/2024)

I have arranged the Pokemons according to the HP values which applied Hierarchy principle and each of them is from different  Pokemon types which applied Catogories principle.

Fig 3.6 Work in progress #4, Week 2 (15/02/2024)

Here is the final outcome of my L.A.T.C.H Pokemons Infographic:

Fig 3.7 Final outcome of L.A.T.C.H infographic, Week 2 (15/02/2024)

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FLIP Topics

FLIP 1: Different types of infographics & online tools

Fig 4.1.1 FLIP Topic 1 Google Slides, Week 1 (06/02/2024)

Group task

Fig 4.1.2 Types of Infographics by Group 3, Week 2 (13/02/2024)

Individual task - Re-design poorly constructed infographic poster

During the first week of class, we are assigned our first FLIP individual task which is pick one free online infographic tool and re-design one poorly constructed infographic poster through our own experimentation with the selected tool. Also, we have to provide our personal rating and review of the online tool for difficulty, intuitiveness, usefulness, design templates and choices.

Here is the chosen poorly designed infographic:

Fig 4.2.1 Chosen poorly designed infographic, Week 1 (09/02/2024)

Issues:

• Wrong type of chart (Pie chart is more appropriate)
• Arranging data non-intuitively (Should be arranged according to the percentage) 
• Texts are hard to see (All bold)
• Colour palette inconsistent
• Hard to understand because of the arrangement of data

First, I have chosen a pie chart template from Canva as shown below:

Fig 4.2.2 Pie chart template from Canva, Week 1 (09/02/2024)

After choosing thee template, I started with importing the data such as the data and the information(percentage) of each sector into the template. For the colour palette, I have cut down two colours as I only have 5 categories, and I chose to remain the colour scheme which are mainly blue and purple.

Fig 4.2.3 Importing data, Week 1 (09/02/2024)

For the title and body text I have change to a proper and better fonts and styles which the title are bold and become bigger while the letter spacing of body text is increased.

Fig 4.2.4 Modifying fonts, Week 1 (09/02/2024)

Lastly, I have added graphics element that best representing the content of each sector and also some elements at the background to modify this infographic poster. Here is the final outcome of re-designed infographic poster.

Fig 4.2.5 Adding elements and finalized infographic, Week 1 (09/02/2024)

Rating and review of the online tool (Canva):

Difficulty, intuitiveness: 4.8☆

The layout of Canva is easy to explore and find functionality in, making it a very simple tool to use. With all the functionalities indicated properly, it is incredibly user-friendly for novice designers as well as those with no experience in the field.

Usefulness: 4.5☆

One of the advantages of utilizing Canva for design is the abundance of element possibilities, albeit some are exclusive to Canva Pro. Aside from that, we have a lot of options when it comes to editing the words because they allow us to use various fonts, colors, and effects.

Design templates, choices: 4☆

Although there are many templates available on Canva, there aren't as many infographic templates as there are other kinds. Aside from that, I have trouble changing the text on the chart since I can't split it into two lines; instead, I have to make a new text box.

FLIP 2: Saul Wurman's L.A.T.C.H

Fig 4.3.1 FLIP Topic 2 Google Slides, Week 2 (15/02/2024)

Group task

Fig 4.3.2 L.A.T.C.H by Group 3, Week 3 (20/02/2024)

On week 3, we are required to provide an overview of the topic and offer examples or scenarios illustrating how each principle can be effectively utilized with relevant information within our group.

FLIP 3: Miller's Law (Chunking)

Fig 4.4.1 FLIP Topic 3 Google Slides, Week 2 (22/02/2024)

Group task

Fig 4.4.2 Miller's Law (Chunking) by Group 3, Week 2 (27/02/2024)

In this week, we learn about a new method of arranging information which is chunking. We have also found a lot of examples that apply Miller's law (Chunking) in our daily lives.

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Feedback

Exercise 1 - Quantify & visualize data: Mr Shamsul said that I have organised  a good way of arranging which clearly indicates all the data.

Exercise 2 - L.A.T.C.H: Every principle has been applied with suitable information, the layout is ok and does not have much problem.

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Reflection

Actually I have taken this module accidentally as I did not follow the study plan given, but I find it enjoyable and not hard to learn even though I am just in semester 1.5.

Throughout this module, I have learned various ways of arranging the module visually in order to attract the audiences' attractions. In the first exercise,