Information Design - Exercises
3.2.2024 - 10.12.2024 / Week 1 - Week 2
Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Exercises
INSTRUCTION
LECTURE
Lecture 1: Type of Infographics
1. List Infographics
- A list infographic presents information using a written list.
- It combines text with visual elements for better engagement.
- Designed to be eye-catching with various design elements.
- Visual context enhances readability and memorability of statistics.
2. Statistical Infographics
- A statistical infographic presents data using visual elements like pie charts and bar graphs.
- Helps make complex information easier to understand.
- Uses percentage radials and branded illustrations to capture audience attention.
3. How-to Infographics
- A how-to infographic visually explains how to complete a task or solve a problem.
- Serves as an alternative to lengthy step-by-step text instructions.
- Makes each step easier to understand and absorb compared to written lists or paragraphs.
4. Timeline Infographics
- Timeline infographics are both informative and visually appealing.
- They are versatile and can be used for various purposes.
- Icons and illustrations along the timeline enhance clarity and engagement.
5. Comparison Infographics
- A comparison infographic visually compares and contrasts different options.
- It presents alternatives side by side for easy understanding.
- Helps readers distinguish between concepts and make informed choices.
6. Map or Location Infographics
- A map infographic is widely used by companies and organizations.
- It visually represents demographic data or location-specific information.
- Useful for communicating geographical insights in an engaging way.
7. Flowchart Infographics
- A flowchart infographic visually represents a sequence of steps or actions.
- It enhances engagement by clearly outlining a process.
- Guides users step by step, making it feel more personal and relatable.
8. Process Description Infographics
- A process description infographic visually explains key steps and elements of a process.
- It simplifies complex information by breaking it down into categorized steps.
- Useful for communicating technical or detailed processes clearly.
In Week 1, we were instructed to decide our topic
and find an existing informative video to revise.
We need to find out the points that can be
improved and use it in our final project.
Video Chosen: The Science of Luck: How to
get lucky
The video we have chosen has several areas for
improvement to make it more engaging,
informative, and visually appealing. One major
enhancement would be the addition of background
music, which can help set the tone and keep the
audience engaged throughout. Alongside this,
incorporating sound effects at key moments can
further enhance the viewing experience by
emphasizing important points or transitions.
The color scheme should also be reconsidered,
as red may not be the most suitable choice to
represent luck. Instead, colors associated with
positivity, fortune, and prosperity—such as gold
or green—could be used to better align with the
theme. Additionally, the video currently
presents only one experiment, which limits its
depth. Expanding the content by including more
research findings, real-life examples, or
different perspectives on luck could provide a
more comprehensive and well-rounded
understanding for viewers.
Another area for improvement is the inclusion
of designed subtitles. Well-placed and visually
appealing subtitles not only enhance
accessibility but also make the video easier to
follow, especially for viewers who may prefer
reading along. To further engage the audience,
interactive questions could be introduced, such
as asking viewers if they have ever had
experiences that made them feel lucky or
unlucky. This would encourage reflection and
create a more interactive learning experience.
Lastly, the narration could be improved to
sound more natural and expressive. Currently,
the voiceover comes across as robotic, which may
make it harder for viewers to stay engaged. A
more dynamic and emotive narration style would
help bring the content to life and make the
information more compelling. By implementing
these improvements, the video could better
capture and retain audience attention while
delivering a richer and more enjoyable learning
experience.
Lecture 2: L.A.T.C.H Theory
- Organizing information effectively is a major challenge for UX designers.
- Even with experience across industries, doubts about structure and principles often arise.
L - Location
This technique organizes information based on
location, providing a clear spatial
structure.
A - Alphabet
Organizing content alphabetically is a simple and
universally recognized method. However, it's
important to ensure that labels align with the
user's mental model for effective
navigation.
T - Time
The temporal scheme organizes information based
on time, making it ideal for social media
platforms where users prioritize the most recent
updates from their contacts.
C - Category
The categorical scheme is one of the most
commonly used methods for organizing website
content. Categories are meaningful groupings
tailored to the website's purpose and audience. To
ensure they align with user expectations, tools
like Card Sorting can be used to define relevant
and intuitive categories.
H - Hierarchy
Hierarchy is a method of organizing information
based on a specific order, such as size, cost (low
to high or high to low), popularity, or
importance. This structure helps users quickly
find relevant information by following a logical
sequence.
Exercises
Exercise 1: Quantifiable Information
We were required to quantify raw data and
present it as a photograph, creating a visual
representation of numerical data that allows for
easy interpretation and analysis.
We need to gather a set of objects and
separate it into category such as color, shape,
pattern, and other quantifiable factor, like
legos, buttons, marble balls or rubber straps. I
decided to go with coins. I prepared some old
and new coins of all value. Then, we will be
quantifying the chosen objects and arrange them
into a presentable layout or chart.
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| Fig 1.1. Info Data |
Fig 1.2. Image scanned by CamScanner
Then, I added the text by using Adobe Illustrator. This allows me to explore different layout and colours.
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| Fig 1.3. Adding Text in Adobe Illustrator |
I created a Chinese stamp using https://www.gaitubao.com/yinzhang, the text carved on the stamp
is "有钱花".
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| Fig 1.4. Stamp |
Then I placed it at the top right corner of the image.
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| Fig 1.5. Placing Stamp |
Final Outcome - Exercise 1
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| Fig 1.6. Data |
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| Fig 1.7. Sorted by Colour |
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| Fig 1.8. Arranged by Series and Value |
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| Fig 1.9. Presented Visually |
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| Fig 1.10. Explained with a Story |
Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H
In Exercise 2, we are tasked with organizing a
set of information into a visually engaging
poster that applies at least four of the LATCH
principles. To achieve this, we must use digital
photo editing or illustration software to design
a LATCH infographic poster. While we are
permitted to reuse existing images, we must
create the remaining visuals ourselves to ensure
a complete and cohesive design.
Requirements:
1. Size resolution: 1240 × 1750 px /
2048 × 2048 px
A. Research
First, I explored Pinterest and Behance for
infographic examples. However there is not
much informative poster that met the
requirements of L.A.T.C.H. Therefore, I
focused more on the designs and came across
several intriguing designs that served as
inspiration for my work.
Fig 2.1. Inspirations from Pinterest and
Behance
I decided to compiled the data of the planets
of solar system for this exercise. I did some
research for the data visualisation.
Fig 2.2. Informtion of the Planets in Solar System
I decided to omit the A: Alphabet because it is not the most meaningful way to present planetary data. Unlike topics where name-based organization matters, the Solar System is best understood through relationships like distance from the Sun, size comparisons, and orbital periods. Prioritizing Location, Time, Category, and Hierarchy makes the information more logical and visually engaging.
L: Distance between planets and the Sun
T: Orbital Periods
C: Terrestrial Planets, Gas Giants, Ice Giants
H: Size
B. Sketches
Next, I sketch out some ideas of visualising the combined data.
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| Fig 2.3. Sketches |
Sketch #1
I centered the solar system in the design and placed labels beside each planet, detailing information such as distance, orbital period, and category. At the bottom of the poster, I included a size comparison, listing the planets from largest to smallest.
Sketch #2
I moved the sun to the top and placed the planet in a vertical form. Similar to Sketch #1, I included a planet size comparison at the bottom.
Sketch #3
This is the horizontal version of Sketch #2. From left to right, viewers can follow the information on planetary distances. From bottom to top, they can compare planet sizes, with the smallest planet positioned at the bottom and the largest at the top of the design.
Sketch #4
The title "The Solar System" will be positioned at the top of the poster. Below it, the planets will be categorized into Terrestrial Planets, Gas Giants, and Ice Giants. The central focus of the poster will feature a visually prominent solar system layout.
C. Digitalisation
I decided to proceed with Sketch #4 because I believe it effectively communicates the size differences between the planets through visual contrast. The varying sizes make it easy for viewers to grasp the scale at a glance.
Additionally, I find that categorizing the planets into Terrestrial Planets, Gas Giants, and Ice Giants plays a more crucial role in organizing the information in a meaningful way. By prioritizing categorization over other elements, the design ensures clarity and a structured flow of information, making it more engaging and educational for the audience.
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Final Outcome - Exercise 2
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| Fig 2.5. The Solar System |
REFLECTIONS
The first exercise introduced me to the basics of information design, focusing on how to present information in a clear and effective way. I learned that presenting data is not just about displaying numbers or text but also about structuring them in a way that enhances understanding. This exercise helped me recognize the importance of visual hierarchy, organization, and clarity in making information more accessible to the audience.
The second exercise introduced me to the L.A.T.C.H. framework, which is a useful method for categorizing and organizing information. Understanding how to apply Location, Alphabet, Time, Category, and Hierarchy has given me a structured approach to designing infographics and other information-based visuals. This framework will be highly beneficial for future projects, as it allows me to present content in a more meaningful and organized manner, making it easier for viewers to comprehend and navigate.
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