LIEW XIAO HUI / 0353121
BACHELOR OF DESIGN (HONOURS) IN CREATIVE MEDIA / INFORMATION DESIGN
Exercises: Quantify & Visualize Data/ L.A.T.C.H
JUMPLINK
Instructions
Exercise 1: Quantify & Visualize Data
Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H
Feedback
Reflections
Exercise 01: Quantify & Visualize Data
In this
assignment, we need to prepare one item to complete the exercise
during the week 01 tutorial. The item can be colorful buttons,
coins, Legos, M&M's chocolates, or an emergency bug-out bag.
We'll use the item to arrange it into a visually appealing layout
or chart. Indicators relevant to the objects will be written out
with pens to visualize the quantity and data. Finally, we'll take
a picture of the final assembly and upload it to our e-portfolio
and Google Classroom for submission.
Progress
After the briefing in the first-week lecture
class, I planned to use M&M's chocolates for exercise 01.
Since colorful buttons and coins were not available at my house,
M&M's chocolates were more accessible. I prepared three
different types of M&M's chocolates to provide a variety of
data, including differences and similarities in size, color,
quantity, and flavor.
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| Figure 1.1 M&M's chocolates. |
During the tutorial class, Mr. Shamsul briefed us again on this exercise, and we began arranging the items we selected to visualize with a layout. The data I gathered from the M&M's chocolates I prepared included colors, quantity, size, and flavors. Before starting, I reviewed some visual references and examples provided by Mr. Shamsul.
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| Figure 2.1 Visual references, typographic system (credits: Type365). |
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Figure 2.2, 2.3 Visual references. (credits: Pinterest)
For my first attempt, I organized the chocolates by size. I positioned the peanut-flavored chocolates in the middle and planned to write the relevant indicators in circular text around them. On the left side, I placed the crispy-flavored chocolates using the technique of typographic systems, radial design, aligning the chocolates based on the inner edge of the circle, with the relevant indicators written to the right of each chocolate. On the right side, I placed the milk chocolates, aligning them with the outer edge of the circle, and wrote the relevant indicators on the right, at the end of each chocolate color.
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| Figure 3.1 Attempt 01- M&M's arrangement. |
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Taking Mr. Shamsul's feedback into account, I decided to search for more visual references to assist me in creating a more visually engaging layout for the data.
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Figure 4.1, 4.2 Visual references. (credits: Pinterest)
Afterwards, I made another attempt incorporating both the visual references and the feedback received. I decided to position the A3 paper vertically. M&M's were grouped together according to their colors. I aimed to incorporate the design principle of movement into the layout, so I arranged the M&M chocolates in a curved formation from the top left to the bottom right. There would be three sections: the top part for milk chocolate, the middle part for peanuts, and the bottom part for crispy flavor. I drew the curved line alongside all the chocolates I arranged, with the relevant indicators placed around the line. Lastly, the title "M&M's" would be positioned at the bottom left to avoid awkward white space. The final layout resembled a sporty runway.
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| Figure 5.1 Attempt 02- M&M's arrangement. |
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| Figure 5.2 Attempt 02- M&M's arrangement with relevant indicators. |
Final Exercise 01: Quantify & Visualize Data
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| Figure 5.3 Final quantify & visualize data. |
Exercise 2:
L.A.T.C.H
For Exercise 2, we're assigned to create a visual poster incorporating at least four L.A.T.C.H. principles. We can choose data provided by Mr. Shamsul or any other topic of our choice.
Progress
After reviewing the data suggested by Mr. Shamsul, I opted for the topic of dinosaurs as it's more easier for me to understand than Pokémon.
For my initial attempt, I chose to apply the L.A.T.C.H. principles of Location, Alphabet, Category, and Hierarchy based on the provided data. I began by organizing the data I had using pencil and paper, listing it down to gain a clearer idea of how to design the poster and categorize the information more effectively.
Dinosaurs' data
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| Figure 6.1 Attempt 01. |
Figure 6.2 - 6.5 Visual references. (credits: Pinterest)
Once I had basic ideas about the poster's design, I began sketching out my concept.
To enhance the design's visual appeal, I planned to incorporate 3D cubes or spheres, or employ paper art techniques. For categorizing the food chain of dinosaurs into predator, omnivore, and herbivore, I intend to assign different colors to each category, like red for predators, orange for omnivores, and green for herbivores. The arrangement of dinosaurs will follow the alphabetical order of their names and the number of teeth, from the lowest to the highest.
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| Figure 6.6 Sketch 01 - 04. |
During the week 2 tutorial and practical class, I presented my four sketches to Mr. Shamsul for feedback. He recommended incorporating the types of infographics learned in the week 01 class. Additionally, he suggested using a timeline infographic instead of alphabetical order and changing the representation of hierarchy in the L.A.T.C.H principle from the number of teeth to the size of the dinosaurs.
Based on Mr. Shamsul's feedback, I revisited the stage of gathering data. I researched the eras in which dinosaurs lived and reorganized the information accordingly. For my second attempt, I decided to incorporate the L.A.T.C.H. principles of location, time, category, and hierarchy.Dinosaurs' data
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| Figure 7.1 Attempt 02. |
With the change in information, I continued to search for more visual references on Pinterest. I found that sketch 04 was simpler and clearer, so I decided to further develop more ideas based on it.
Figure 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 Visual references. (credits: Pinterest)
After gathering more ideas for further developing sketch 04, I proceeded to sketch out the concepts. I opted to combine the use of isometric design to illustrate the timeline in different colors and paper art techniques to create the land and ocean.
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| Figure 7.5 Sketch 05 - 07. |
Digitalize
After gathering more ideas for further developing sketch 04, I proceeded to sketch out the concepts. I opted to combine isometric design to illustrate the timeline in different colors and paper art techniques to create the land and ocean.
I began by gathering all the selected dinosaur pictures and pasted them into Adobe Illustrator. Utilizing the image trace feature, I traced out the dinosaurs and adjusted their colors to red, orange, and green according to the food chain. Next, I utilized the pencil tools in Adobe Illustrator to draw out the shapes of the land and the ocean. I created a timeline representing the era of dinosaurs and arranged the dinosaurs accordingly on the artboard. Following this, I added text using appropriate fonts and font sizes. Finally, I added drop shadow and made some final refinements to the design.
Figure 8.1 - 8.6 Progress screenshot.
Outcome 01
During the week 03 tutorial class, Mr. Shamsul reviewed my submission for this exercise, outcome 01. He advised me to change the font selection, as the current choice is difficult to read and unsuitable for the overall design style. He also noted an inaccuracy in the L.A.T.C.H principle of location, it should specify the precise locations where the dinosaurs inhabited rather than merely mentioning land and ocean. Therefore, the map should accurately represent real-world locations. The color gradient representing different periods was not obvious and understandable for viewers. Adding a small table to explain the color representation, similar to the food chain table, would enhance clarity. Additionally, the terms "Triassic," "Jurassic," and "Cretaceous" should be followed by the word "period" to clearly indicate that they represent the eras of the dinosaurs. However, he found the use of color to differentiate the dinosaur's food chain effective.
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| Figure 9.1 Outcome 01. |
In response to the feedback, I began by researching the actual locations where dinosaurs inhabited and brainstorming new ideas to organize the information and graphics in the poster.
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| Figure 10.1 Research. |
Unfortunately, my laptop's LCD suddenly malfunctioned, posing difficulties in completing the upcoming project and refining this exercise. Despite this setback, I continued researching visual references and sketching out ideas for the new poster layout using my iPad.
Figure 10.2, 10.3 Visual references.
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| Figure 10.4 Sketches. |
Digitalize
I started by tracing the world map using Adobe Illustrator and attempted to create the ocean view. However, it did not meet my expectations, so I experimented with incorporating drop shadows to give it a paper art feel. Initially, I attempted to use a portrait artboard for the poster design, but I found it lacked sufficient space to arrange all the information as desired. Therefore, I switched to a square artboard with larger dimensions. I initially used curved lines to connect the graphics of each dinosaur to their respective names and information, resembling dinosaur footprints. However, this approach appeared messy and difficult to understand, prompting me to opt for straight lines to improve clarity and ease of comprehension for viewers.
Figure 10.5 - 10.9 Progress screenshot.
Final Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H
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| Figure 11.1 Final L.A.T.C.H. |
Week 01
Mr. Shamsul suggests trying a different layout. He found the current arrangement a bit messy and difficult to understand. He recommended grouping the M&M's chocolates of the same color together so that viewers could easily see that.
Week 02
Mr. Shamsul suggested applying the L.A.T.C.H principle of location, time, categories, and hierarchy. He recommended replacing the number of teeth with the size of the dinosaurs to represent hierarchy and using a timeline infographic for time instead of the alphabet.
Week 03
Mr. Shamsul advised me to change the font selection, as the current choice was deemed difficult to read and unsuitable for the overall design style. He also noted an inaccuracy in the L.A.T.C.H principle of location; it should specify the precise locations where the dinosaurs inhabited rather than merely mentioning land and ocean. Therefore, the map should accurately represent real-world locations. The color gradient representing different periods was not sufficiently obvious and understandable for viewers. Adding a small table to explain the color representation, similar to the food chain table, would enhance clarity. Additionally, the terms "Triassic," "Jurassic," and "Cretaceous" should be followed by the word "period" to clearly indicate that they represent the eras of the dinosaurs. However, he found the use of color to differentiate the dinosaur's food chain effective.
REFLECTIONS
Through these exercises, I've learned about various types of infographics and how information can be categorized into different formats. I've also learned how to effectively utilize data to create visual posters that convey information clearly and effectively to viewers. I realize the importance of practice to improve my skills in creating infographics and organizing data effectively.
The L.A.T.C.H principle has proven to be quite challenging for me. Ensuring that I incorporate at least four elements from it while maintaining simplicity, clarity, and logical order in the data presentation is no easy task. Although I faced challenges in completing these exercises, especially since it was my first time creating infographics, I found the experience valuable and insightful.
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