Information Design - Exercises

11.01.2023 - 08.02.2023 / Week 1 - Week 4
Lim Rui Ying / 0358986
Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Exercises

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LIST

Exercise 1: Quantify & Visualise Data

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

Reflection

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INSTRUCTIONS

Exercises details and instructions (refer to slides 6-21)

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EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Quantify & Visualise Data

WEEK 1

We were tasked to prepare some objects that are large in quantity and vary in several types such as buttons, legos, coins, etc. 

Fig. 1.1 Material used: buttons

Fig. 1.2 Buttons sorted in terms of size

I have chosen buttons as the tools for this exercise and I first sorted them regarding their sizes. I plan to arrange the buttons in terms of sizes and colours. 

Fig. 1.3 Arrangement #1, Week 1 (18/1/2023)

Fig. 1.4 Arrangement #2, Week 1 (18/1/2023)

In the first arrangement, the buttons are arranged in a curve shape according to sizes and colours. For the second one, I arranged the buttons orderly with some spaces between them in a tilted direction.

Fig. 1.5 Draft for arrangement #2, Week 1 (18/1/2023)

I like the second arrangement and make a draft to include the data inside. I measure the diameter of each size of the buttons and record it. I have the diameter measurement below and the colours beside each group of buttons.

Final Exercise 1: Quantify & Visualise Data

Fig. 1.6 Final Exercise 1: Quantify & Visualise Data, Week 1 (18/1/2023)

In the final outcome, there are 50 buttons in total, divided into six groups according to their sizes, which are 7-10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, 20 mm and 25 mm. The colours of the buttons are red, black, white, brown, gold, blue and green.

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

WEEK 2

We were tasked to create an infographic applying the L.A.T.C.H principles. We may choose to use one of suggested the compiled data (Pokedex/FFXIV Bestiary/Dinosaurs) or choose any topic and find a set of data to create the visual poster.

Requirements:

- Must apply L.A.T.C.H principles

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

- Recommended software: AI

I decided to create an infographic of the 6 main types of Chinese Ceramic based on the data I found from China Highlights and China Online Museum. The 6 Chinese ceramics are Tang Sancai, Black Porcelain, White Porcelain, Celadon, Blue and White Porcelain and Qing Porcelain. I arrange the information and data on Chinese ceramics in a table.

Fig. 2.1 Information and data sorted in a table

Fig. 2.2 Mood board, Week 2 (22/1/2023)

I created a mood board in AI and included the image references. I decided to use the ancient Chinese style for this poster.

Fig. 2.3 Sketch #1, Week 2 (22/1/2023)

Fig. 2.4 Sketch #2, Week 2 (22/1/2023)

In my sketches, I use a timeline as the main flow according to the prevalent period of the 6 Chinese ceramics but differ in orientation. 

Fig. 2.5 Tang Sancai, Week 2 (23/1/2023)

The first Chinese ceramic I illustrate is Tang Sancai. I made 3 attempts, adjusting the elbow part of the Tang Sancai.

Fig. 2.6 Blue and White Porcelain, Week 2 (23/1/2023)

For Blue and White Porcelain (also known as Qinghua Porcelain 青花瓷), I find a Qinghua pattern to be used as the upper part of the porcelain. While for the lower part, I illustrate based on the pattern of the image reference.

Fig. 2.7 6 types of Chinese ceramics, Week 2 (24/1/2023)

For other Chinese ceramics, I illustrate using simple shapes as they do not have complicated patterns. These are the outcomes of the 6 types of Chinese ceramics:

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

Fig. 2.8 Final Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H Infographic, Week 3 (26/1/2023)

In my L.A.T.C.H. infographic poster, I use Time as the main flow. I arrange the Chinese ceramics according to their prevalent time and categorise them into "low-temperature-fired pottery" and "high-temperature-fired porcelain". I also include the Location which is the mass production area.

L.A.T.C.H principles applied: 

Location - Mass production area

Alphabetical - Location name following alphabetical order

Category - Low-temperature-fired pottery and high-temperature-fired porcelain

Time - Popular period of Chinese ceramics

Software: Adobe Illustrator

Information sources: 

China Highlights - https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/china-porcelain-types.htm

China of Museum - https://www.comuseum.com/ceramics/

Art style references: 

Artwork by Yuan Wang: https://www.behance.net/gallery/69723499/CHINA-TRADITIONAL-CHINESE-RESIDENCES

Image references:

Tang Sancai - https://www.comuseum.com/ceramics/tang/

Black Porcelain, Celadon, White Porcelain - https://www.comuseum.com/ceramics/song/

Blue & White Porcelain - https://www.comuseum.com/ceramics/yuan/

Pictures credits:

Qing Porcelain - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/171840542018243775/

Blue & White Porcelain pattern - https://ixintu.com/sucai/7ymeqggUW.html

Background - https://www.txrpic.com/download/11003167.html

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REFLECTION

In Exercise 1, I learned to classify and categorise data. I enjoyed the process of categorising them but arranging them is time-consuming as the buttons are small and easy to move. Overall, the results are nice and satisfying.

In Exercise 2,  I use other data for L.A.T.C.H Infographic. Although the data is not similar to the ones suggested, I still apply the L.A.T.C.H principles in the infographic. By applying the principles, the data seems to be more organised and straightforward. While graphics help in visualising the data to make the infographic more interesting.

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QUICK LINKS

FLIP Classroom & Practical

Project 1: Instructable Poster

Project 2: Motion Graphic

Final Project: Animated Infographics