COMD3601 Information Design

Hitchings | D054 | Fall 2022

Page 4 of 12

Class Info

  • Date: Monday 11/07
  • Meeting Info: Room P114

Topic

Activities and Lab Time

  • Review ‘revised draft’ of info-graphic poster >>Assignment5-InfoGraphic-Final Dropbox folder
  • Tag-team – everyone review 1 student’s info-graphic – provide the following feedback:
    1. Is the overall message of the info-graphic clear – why or why not?
    2. Did the designer effectively use facts and data to support their thesis (and title of the piece) – why or why not?
    3. Does the design of the info-graphic effectively showcase the content:
      • clear focal point?
      • clear hierarchy of information?
      • effective use of typography, headers, colors, page structure, etc.?
      • overall attention to detail (spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc)

Homework

  1. Project 1 FINAL Due Week 12
    Please make a folder with your name and save your design comps as PDFs into the >>Assignment5-InfoGraphic-Final Dropbox folder
  2. Read
    1. Grimwade, John. “The Infographic Family” Ohio University, October 17, 2018. (VisCom at Ohio University)
    2. Christiansen, Jen. “Visualizing Science: Illustration and Beyond” Scientific American, October 25, 2018. (Scientific American)
    3. Read: Grimwade, John. “Pictogram Story” Ohio University, January 8, 2019. (VisCom at Ohio University)
    4. Read: ColumnFiveMedia “How to Write a Compelling Infographic Story in 5 Steps”

Project 2 & 3

<<back to Weekly Agenda

For Project 2 and Project 3 you can chose to work withing the same subject matter as Project 1, in which case each should be designed to accompany each other. Or you could choose to work on an entirely new topic.

Purpose

Visualizing information with design can play an important role in facilitating comprehension and awareness to an audience. To explore various methodologies for displaying information and to develop strategies for designing effectively and communicating to audiences. To imagine new forms of organizing information and to discover how information can be clarified to create more coherent communication.

Project 2 Visual Diagram

Visual Diagram: is a simplified drawing that shows the appearance, structure, or workings of something; a schematic representation.

Objective

Select an object or an item that could use explanation (i.e. the human heart, a butterfly, a hiking boot, etc.) Using design, create a visual diagram that details:

  1. What an object is made up of and how it is structured
  2. How it behaves/functions
  3. And any additional information that might be relevant to a deeper understanding of it

Project 3 Information Flowchart

Information Flowchart: should focus on information sequencing; explaining a concept through a series of steps: A. B. C., 1. 2. 3., etc. The steps do not have to be presented sequentially but they need to be read/ understood within the context of each other.


Objective

The flowchart must present 5 facts (i.e. metamorphosis of a butterfly, a hiking trail, Battle of Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, Evolution of the Internet etc.) either:

  1. Historical
  2. Geographic
  3. Time based

Project Details

Stages

  • Phase 1: Research: understanding topic.
    Gathering, organizing and assessing data and content
  • Phase 2: Sketches and concept development
    Figuring what information, you have and how to best represent (charts and graphs)
  • Phase 3: Design and production (Illustrator & InDesign)
  • Phase 4: Revisions and final edits

Specifications

  • Tabloid Poster – 11×17 inches (Vertical or Horizontal layout )
  • Margin: 0.5”
  • Bleed: 0.25”
  • Set up a grid
  • Gutter: .025”

Timeline

  • Week 9-10 Phase 1: Research 
  • Week 10-12 Phase 2: Sketches and concept development       
  • Week 12-13 Phase 3: Design, production and revisions            
  • Week 14-15 Phase 4: Revisions and final edits DUE week15                

Principals of Design

Effectively using the principles of design to create random or directed movement, generally helps to clarify meaning in design work. The goal is to determine and establish a visual hierarchy of information in a layout, so the reader can easily absorb the content.

Define your focal point. Every design element in your layout should move the viewer’s eye in the direction you want the viewer to read your content.

Repetition/Consistency/Rhythm

Repeating design elements and consistent use of type and graphics styles within a document shows a reader where to go and helps them navigate your designs and layouts safely. Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used
repeatedly to create a feeling of organized movement. Variety is essential to keep rhythm exciting and active, and moving the viewer around the artwork. Rhythm creates a mood like music or dancing

Emphasis

Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewer’s attention. Usually the artist will make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. The area will be different in size, color, texture, shape, etc. In design, big and small elements, black and white text, squares and circles, all create contrast in design.

Balance

Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space. If the design was on a scale these elements should be balanced to make the layout feel stable. In symmetrical balance, the elements used on one side of the design are similar to those on the other side. In asymmetrical balance, the sides are different but still look balanced. In radial balance, the elements are arranged around a central point and may be similar.

Proximity/Unity

Proximity/Unity In design, proximity or closeness creates a bond between elements on a page. How close together or far apart elements are placed suggests a relationship (or lack of) between otherwise disparate parts. Unity is also achieved by using a third element to connect distant parts. Unity is the feeling of harmony between all parts of the artwork creating a sense of completeness. 5.

Proportion

Proportion is the feeling of unity created when all parts (sizes, amounts, or number) relate well with each other. When drawing the human figure, proportion can refer to the size of the head compared to the rest of the body.

Alignment

Alignment brings order to chaos on a piece of paper. How you align type and graphics on a page and in relation to each other can make your layout easier or more difficult to read, foster familiarity, or bring excitement to a stale design. Designs that try to cram too much text and graphics onto the page are uncomfortable and may be impossible to read. White space gives your design breathing room

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