Chuah Kwai Pin / 0348376
Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Exercises
INSTRUCTIONS
LECTURES
Week 1: Motion Graphics
What is Motion Graphics?
- Graphics in Movement
- Composition + Animation
- Composition= Graphics + Typographic
- Animation= Movement + Rhythm
Steps of Motion Graphics
- Step 1: Write a script that tells a story.
- Step 2: Storyboard while you brainstorm the visual treatment.
- Step 3: Take your storyboards into design.
- Step 4: Animate the final designs.
Animation vs. Motion Graphics
Animation:
- Images that create illusion of movement.
- Types of animation include: 2D animation, 3D animation, Stop Motion animation and Motion Graphics
Motion Graphics:
- This art form focuses on the ability to move graphic elements, shapes and text.
- Text animation: Kinetic Typography
- Vector animation: Graphics elements created in Ai
- Chart Visualisation
- Character animation: wiggling
FLIP Topics
FLIP 1: Types of Infographic
As a group, we were required to research about the different types of
infographics, the kind of information they are applicable for and also
provide an example for each. We were able to identify 8 types of
infographics and its specific uses and then compiled them into the slides as
shown below.
Fig. 1.1 Group Presentation Slides on types of infographics
Re-designing a poorly constructed infographic
After getting to know the different types of infographics, our next task is
to choose a poorly designed infographic and remake it so that it looks more
presentable. We are to use an online infographic tool, and then rate the
usability of that tool afterwards.
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| Fig. 1.2 Chosen infographic to re-design |
Some issues that can be fixed:
- The title can have a better text hierarchy to emphasise on the main keyword.
- Overall colour used is the same shade of blue, which seems a little too monotonous and dull.
- The blue rectangles look awkward, and overall looks very imbalanced in terms of spacing
- No use of graphical icons or elements, not visually attractive
- Good emphasis of percentage, but other numbers can be emphasised too
- Choice of font and size is readable, but can introduce some variety (bold, italics, different size, etc.) to emphasise certain words
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| Fig. 1.3 Infographic inspiration |
As I was trying to decide how to re-design the infographic, I found this infographic above that looks like the design concept that my chosen infographic was trying to achieve. It has a good use of rectangles and colours to clearly dissect the information written. Overall, it guides our eyes well to read from left to right, and the clear emphasis of the numbers help to identify information where quantity is specified.
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| Fig. 1.4 Improved Infographic |
After analysing the inspiration infographic, I then use Canva, my chosen online infographic tool to re-design. I started from scratch as there wasn't a template that was suitable for the composition that I was aiming for. From there, I started transferring information from the original infographic, and also introduced a second colour, red, as a contrast to show the more negative side of the information. I also included some graphical icons that can help the viewers visualise the overall idea of the content provided.
Rating and review of the online tool (Canva):
Difficult, intuitiveness: 4.5⭐
I have always liked using Canva as I find it very beginner-friendly and
straightforward to use. It is definitely a tool that anyone can use, no
matter experienced or inexperienced when it comes to creativity and
design. Canva also provides very helpful tutorials for first-time users,
which makes it easier for them to navigate and discover what the app
provides.
Usefulness: 4⭐
Canva is a really good tool for making infographics. It provides a
variety of graphical elements that we can use, some of which needs Canva
Pro to access, but there are still many available ones that look great.
Another thing that I found useful is that they have a charts section
that allows us to make statistical charts like bar graph, line chart,
pie chart and many more. We can also customise the size and colour of
the charts to suit the theme of our infographic which is very
convenient.
Design templates, choices: 3.5⭐
As I was looking through the infographic templates for Canva, most of
them seemed quite formal, almost similar to a resume or a business
proposal. Although it does look very tidy and organised, it does not
really match the vibe that I was going for in my infographic.
FLIP 2: Saul Wurman's L.A.T.C.H
In our group, we are to present an explanation on the topic and
provide examples or scenarios of what information best utilized with
each principle.
Fig. 1.5 Group Presentation Slides on Saul Wurman's L.A.T.C.H
FLIP 3 : Miller's Law- Chunking
As a group, we are to
present an explanation on the topic and provide an example of how to
best utilize this technique in terms of visual delivery for each of
these approach:
1. A well designed infographic
2. UX/UI, web, app, games (screen based basically)
Fig. 1.6 Group Presentation Slides on Miller's Law- Chunking
FLIP 4 : Manuel Lima's 9 Directives Manifesto
In our group, we have to present an explanation on this topic and find
one example of how to best display and utilize design for each of the
directives.
As conclusion, also present one good designed infographic that best
illustrate of the 9 directives for information visualisations and one
poorly designed infographics that failed to address the directives.
Fig. 1.7 Group Presentation Slides on Manuel Lima's 9 Directives Manifesto
EXERCISES
Exercise 1: Quantify and Visualise Data (10%)
For this exercise, we are required to gather some items and then count and
arrange them into a presentable layout or chart.
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| Fig. 2.1 Box of beads |
As I was searching for items around my house, I found this box with a
different variety of beads which would make it interesting to sort and
quantify data. Since the beads are small and there a lot of them, it was
quite difficult to find a way to arrange them so that they stay within the
paper.
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| Fig. 2.2 Arranging beads using toothpick |
The beads were really small to arrange using fingers, so I had to use a toothpick to shift them around. At first, I thought of arranging them into a circle and write the words inside, but there were just too many beads, so I had to arrange them in a spiral.
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| Fig. 2.3 Final Outcome of Exercise 1: Quantify and Visualise Data |
I had arranged the beads in a way that they can be grouped by their
characteristics and their similarity in shape and size. I had also
counted the beads by writing a number next to each individual bead, and
the total number of beads can be found written inside the spiral. After
counting all the beads and listing down the characteristics, I also
realised that I can count the beads with similar characteristics as
well. For example, out of 5 types of beads, 4 of them are coloured while
1 of them is colourless. Therefore, a total of 147 beads out of 169
beads are coloured.
Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H (10%)
Location / Alphabet / Time / Category / Hierarchy
Organise a group of information into a visual poster that combines and
utilizes the LATCH principles (minimum of 4).
Requirements:
Size resolution: 1240 x 1750 pixels or 2048 x 2048 pixels
- Use digital photo editing / illustration software
- Allowed to re-use back the images of the characters
- Create rest of your own visuals to complete the poster
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| Fig. 3.1 Neko Atsume Game |
The game that I chosen is Neko Atsume which is a kitty collector game. The game is very simple and straightforward, all you have to do is buy items to place in the space given and different cats will come to visit and leave souvenirs! There are many different breeds of cats that come randomly everyday, and some of them even make multiple visits. Each of these cats have a name, power level, rarity type, and also number of visits noted down in the game. With that, I have decided to base my L.A.T.C.H poster on this game.
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| Fig. 3.2 Downloaded screenshot from Neko Atsume game |
From this screenshot of the game, you could easily find 7 cats in the area shown. To easily identify each cat and their names, power level and rarity type, I went onto Neko Atsume Wiki to search for each of the cat and took down their information for easier reference.
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| Fig. 3.3 Screenshot of Neko Atsume Wiki - Fandom |
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| Fig. 3.4 Screenshot of Catbook in the game |
To start off with the poster design and colours, I went onto the game and took a close study on the colours, shapes and elements used. I observed that the outline of the shapes are not straight, and somewhat jagged, and the colours used are mostly pastel-like. For the background as well, it has a repetition of paw patterns covering the whole wallpaper. After gathering these little details, I had a clearer idea on how to compose my poster.
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| Fig. 3.5 Screenshot of Adobe Illustrator- making of background |
I started with the background by illustrating the paw, and then copy pasting it until I get a whole row. From there, I just duplicate it and fill up the screen.
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Fig. 3.5 Screenshot of Adobe Illustrator- making of information
box |
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Fig. 3.5 Screenshot of Adobe Illustrator- making of name card |
In the little name cards, there are information such as the cat's name, a full body picture of the cat, the location, number of visits, rarity type and also power level.
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| Fig. 3.6 Breakdown of details |
With a closer observation, there are two different colours on the name cards which are orange and yellow. The orange one is to show that the cat is a rare type, whereas the yellow one is a regular cat. Besides that, I have also added different colours for the thumbtacks according to the power levels of the cats.
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Fig. 3.7 Final Outcome of L.A.T.C.H Poster |
A- Names
T- Number of visits
C- Rarity Type
H- Power level
FEEDBACK
Week 3: The slides for the FLIP Classroom can be a little more decorative and better designed
REFLECTION
Although there are quite a lot of exercises in this module within a short period of time, I have to say that some of them are very interesting and enjoyable to work on. I personally like organising and composing things, so I actually enjoyed working on exercises 1 and 2. It took me a long time just to get the beads out of the box and arrange them nicely on a paper, not to mention some of them rolling off my table and I have to run after them. It was a fun project though, and it was interesting to discover the different ways I can group the different beads in a category.
As for the L.A.T.C.H poster, I pondered for quite some time on what game I wanted to do because I am not the biggest fan of Pokemon. I know it will take me an even longer time trying to familiarise myself with the names than actually working on the poster. Hence, I tried to look back at my childhood games and remembered Neko Atsume, which I really enjoyed playing because I LOVE CATS. So of course, no matter how long the exercise took me, I was just happy doing it because of the cats.
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