INFORMATION DESIGN - FLIP PRESENTATION & PRACTICAL

Week 1 - Week 7 (03/01/2022 - 18/02/2022)

Tay Yee Shien (0341472)

Information Design 

Exercises

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INSTRUCTIONS

fig 1.1 Module Information booklet 

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Individual Task:

fig 2.3 Individual Task Instructions

fig 2.4 Infographic by MTV

(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/863143084810959068/)

MTV created this infographic to showcase the increasing number of subscribers as the years pass. However, it's difficult to understand the size difference between the eyes. Maybe they're true with the proportions, but it is confusing.

fig 2.5 Designing on Canva

I find that Canva is very simple and easy to use. 100% recommend for those who would like to learn designing or would like an easy way to create good-looking designs. However, for experts, Canva would lack the tools to customize your artwork in detail. 

Redesigned Version: 

fig 2.6 Redesigned infographic by me

The type of infographic I'm going for is the data visualization infographic. I have applied the data collected by MTV and arranged it into a bar chart. It is simple, easy to understand and the colours go well together. I personally think it looks more minimalist and aesthetic. I'd give it a rating of 8/10,

I chose to work with Canva (an online editing website) because it is free and is so easy to navigate through. It has all the basic features to design create artworks. They also provide many aesthetically pleasing templates for slide presentations, videos, social media posts, etc. So it is perfect for someone who is a beginner at design or does not know how to use complicated software like Adobe Illustrator.

Canva has a premium package if you pay for it, you can unlock more templates, stickers, and other features. Fortunately, if you are a student, you can apply for the premium version for free! Otherwise, I personally think the free version is good enough to create impressive designs. 

What's even more special is that you can invite friends to edit and artwork in real-time with you. You just have to add their email to the work to create a shareable link for them. You can edit videos on Canva too as well!

FLIP 1: Types of Infographics

As the first presentation, our group presented Types of Infographics, which discusses the types of infographics, the kind of information they're applicable for, and the examples for each identified type.

fig 2.1 Flip 1 PowerPoint presentation by group 1

We also recorded our presentation on Zoom and uploaded it on Youtube.

fig 2.2 Flip 1 Presentation video by group 1

Infographics

Information + Graphic 

Present information, data, and knowledge clearly and quickly.

Utilizing the human visual system and improve one's  

The three parts of infographics

Visual 

consists of colors and graphics

Content

statistics

sources

Knowledge

insight

Key element of infographic

story- the purpose behind the infographic is to tell a story

data-accurate data

copy- copy to provide context and to tie the overall story together

design- the design of an infographic should be based on the story

graphic and charts- display the data in a unique and creative way.

FLIP 2: Saul Wurman's L.A.T.C.H

As the second presentation, our group presented Saul Wurman's L.A.T.C.H, which discusses the 5 schemes for data namely Location, Alphabet, Time, Category, and Hierarchy. Moreover, we also discussed the kind of information they're applicable for, and the examples for each scheme.

fig 2.4 Flip 2 PowerPoint presentation by group 1

fig 2.5 Flip 2 PowerPoint presentation by group 1

L.A.T.C.H is a method of information architecture or information organized from Location, Alphabetical, Category, Hierarchy.

Location is used to compare information from different sources. for example, relative location, locality, absolute location. 

Alphabetical by arranging by its first alphabet, it’s the easiest way, usually used for a large amount of information, for example, contact list, name list, dictionary.

Times works best as an organizing principle for events that happen over fixed durations. Used creatively to organize a place. 

Category is a classification, division. It can mean different models, different types, or even different questions to be answered. For example, travel checklist, shopping list, shopping mall categories.

Hierarchy is an arrangement of information based on certain criteria, for example, the food web. Help us to easily understand who's on top of what's the most important.

This time around, three of my group members presented the FLIP while two other members and I did the practical task that was assigned to our group. That way, we can be more efficient in completing our group work.

FLIP 3: Miller's Law on Chunking

fig 2.6 Flip 3 PowerPoint presentation by group 4

Miller's law 

Chunking is when information is organized into groups or 'chunks'. It allows the brain to recognize and memorize information easier. 

Chunking helps learners to understand the subject matter easily and effectively. They reduce the cognitive load or information overload on learners and help in the retention of memory power.

By grouping items by similarity, you can easily surpass the limits of retention memory.

FLIP 4: Manuel Lima's 9 Directives Manifesto

fig 2.7 Flip 4 PowerPoint presentation by group 7

Manuel Lima's 9 Directives Manifesto

1. Form Follows Function

- Form doesn't follow data

- Form follows a purpose, and in the case of information Visualization, Form follows Revelation.

- The purpose should always be centered on explanation and unveiling which in turn leads to discovery and insight.

2. Interactivity is key

- Information Visualization is the use of computer-supported, interactive, visual representations of abstract data to amplify cognition.

- Highlights how interactivity is an integral part of the field's DNA

3. Cite Your Sources

- Allow people to validate the authenticity

- Show credibility and integrity

- Avoid misconception 

4. The Power of narrative 

- Storytelling is a powerful way to learn and spread information

- Convey a message and compelling narrative

- Make something easier to understand

5. Do not glorify Aesthetic

- Aesthetics is an important factor, to grab attention, but not the most important

- Should b consequence and not the main goal

6. Look for relevancy

- Making things relevant would be easier and more convenient for both the designer and creator's point of view as well as the user.

- If the relevancy is high, it can increase the possibility of comprehension, assimilation, and decision-making

7. Embrace time

- Time is one of the most difficult variables to map in any system but also one of the riches

- Time should always be considered when the targeted system is affected by its progression 

8. Aspire for knowledge

- A core ability of Information Visualization is to translate information into knowledge and redistribute it to others.

- Every project should aim at making knowledge more understandable.

9. Avoid Gratuitous Visualizations

- Find out the real meaning of something and convey it with the help of the appropriate visuals.

- Information Visualization needs to act as an informational filter to provide just enough insight, they should never add more noise to the flow.

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PRACTICAL

Week 2 

INDIVIDUAL WORK:

After Mr. Martin explained about Information Design (Motion Graphics), we were asked to recommend 3 Professional Motion Graphics on the blog with rationals & inspirations.

3 PROFESSIONAL MOTION GRAPHICS 

1. How to Feed the World by Denis Van Waerebeke

fig 3.1 Animation Video 1

Rational 

Captivating animations are a perfect way to educate young adults and children about important issues, such as world hunger.

Inspiration

I am inspired by its theme of a real-world issue which is famine or world hunger and how the animation made it so easy to understand. It is an interesting and fascinating way to raise awareness. 

2. Inspiration by Rafa Galeano

fig 3.2 Animation Video 2

Rational 

A colorful animation is a great way to tell a story or illustrate a conceptual thought.

Inspiration

I like how I was able to relate to the theme of the video. It is about finding inspiration from our everyday lives and creating it into a form of art. I enjoy looking at the colours very much. 

3. We Need To Talk About Alice by Plenty

fig 3.3 Animation Video 3

Rational 

This animated short, based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, was made to promote the non-profit organization Good Books, an online charity bookstore.

Inspiration

I love reading, and I love how the video promotes an online charity bookstore. The graphics look so beautiful and detailed.

GROUP WORK:

As a group, we needed to design the style frames for the three most "challenging scenes" in our Final Project (Sex Education Animated Video). 

fig 3.4 Three Style Frames by Group 1

We were also tasked to create a mood board for our animation video. At this point, we have split into two teams: animators and illustrators. The animators look for animation and transition styles while illustrators look for illustration, typography, and color palette ideas. 

fig 3.5 Group 1 Moodboard

Week 2 

We were tasked to create a kinetic typography music video with our group. We chose the song Pacman by Eaj. I put the lyrics in a google sheet and divided the workload.

fig. 4.0 Split Lyrics for text animation

Each of us will be animating 3 - 4 lines from the song.

fig. 4.1 Breakdown Final Project’s Script

Wan Tian, Reagen, and I did the Final Project Script breakdown as best as we can and consulted Mr. Martin the next day, and asked for feedback. He suggested not to break down the scenes too short and put some parts that are related together. 

Week 3 

Individual Task:

This week, we were assigned to create a Motion Graphic Chart. I followed Mr. Martin's YouTube tutorial and designed the donut chart. I found that it was a fun exercise.

fig 5.0 Donut Chart (Motion Graphics Chart)

I think the colors of my donut chart and the text match really well. I really like it!

Group Task:

My group finalized the kinetic typography for the song Pacman by Eaj. I think it looks impressive and I kept on rewatching the video. 

fig 5.1 Pacman by Eaj Kinetic Typography

fig 5.2 Final Project’s Storyboarding 

My team and I also worked on the storyboarding. Each of us worked on a number of scenes. Mr. Martin said I need to amend my part to show "sex" in a more creative way. Other than that, the overall storyboard is good to go.

Week 4 

Individual task:

Mr. Martin gave us an exercise to practice vector/ character animation. Following his YouTube tutorial, I was able to create a bounce effect which I think is simple but has a great outcome to an overall video.

fig 6.0 My Practical Work

Group task:

We worked on the final project animatic to get a feel on what the final outcome would look like. Mr. Martin suggested that we could stick to one visual to describe "sex" or other repetitive elements. We could also delegate the task for each member to focus on drawing / animating the repeated ones to keep the consistency. 

fig 6.1 Final Project Animatic

Through the animatic, I can see the progress of my team. We were on the right track.

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REFLECTION

Flip presentations

For the flip presentations, I had learned many things from my classmates’ presentations every week. For example, in LATCH theory, I learned that we need to be careful with the information we show and the method of presenting it in our projects. It is also important to arrange the information properly in our infographic design. It challenges me to figure out a way to let the audience know learn quicker through visuals.

 

Practical exercises

I have learned different kinds of After Effects techniques throughout the practical session that I can use in my future projects. I think it is also important to get comfortable with using software by using it frequently so that we do not forget how to use it. Throughout the semester, not only did my teachers guide me along the way, but also my friends, so I am thankful for them as well.