Information Design - Exercises

4 Jan 2022 - 13 Jan 2022 (Week 1 - Week 2)

Zetie Binti Bahaman / 0351297 / BDCM

Information Design

Exercises 1 & 2

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LECTURES

The first day of classes included module briefing and assignment grouping. This module requires both individual and group work submissions. Not only that but there are also class exercises that are graded on top of our assignments.

Link to FLIP Classroom tasks/lectures

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INSTRUCTIONS

Exercise 1: Quantify & Visualize Data

Since I joined the online class, we are to find things around our house that are quantifiable and arranged in a presentable chart/layout. At first, I found some nuts, bolts, and coins but they were insufficient. Ms. Anis suggested I use coins entirely since I had a good spread of them.

Fig 1.0 The chosen items (coins)

This exercise made the self-diagnosed OCD in me crazy. I was making a mess trying to find things around my room but obviously, I have thrown things out. All I am left with are this bunch of coins from my piggy bank.

Fig 1.1 Sorting out the coins

I found an unused large frame to lay out the coins and avoid losing them. They are all local coins hence, they are in the same circular shape. However, during the sorting process, I realized they are all in different sizes so I categorized them into sizes from XXL to XXS.

Fig 1.2 Arranging the coins

I decided to organize them in an orderly manner because trying to make aesthetics ended up being messy. I used washi tapes to create the outline of the frames of each coin category. I also added additional info on the total amount of coins used in this data. I submitted this draft over in Google Drive to hear feedback from Ms. Anis.

Fig 1.3 Draft, Week 1 (6/1/2022)

After receiving feedback from Ms. Anis, I made the necessary amendments. However, I have kept away the actual arrangement and the items have been taken off. So I have to use Photoshop to add the subtitle. I tried to find a similar font to match my handwritten texts on the board.

Fig 1.4 Amendments, Week 2 (10/1/2022)

Final Exercise 1

Fig 1.5 Final Exercise 1, Week 2 (13/1/2022)

Exercise 2:  L. A. T. C. H.

In this exercise, I was having trouble trying to think of a topic. I figured there were already many examples on Pokemon so using something different would be interesting. I was brainstorming other topics and thought of My Little Pony. I had a sibling that grew up watching the show, as well as, my niece so I somewhat have a rough idea on it. Just had to do a quick recap!

Research

I did some research on the ponies and found references as a guide for me to redesign their homes in my own way. I also found out how to categorize them according to the L.A.T.C.H theory.

Fig 1.7 L.A.T.C.H Research - My Little Pony, Week 2 (14/1/2022)

Sketches

Here are some layout sketches I did. I was struggling trying to find the best way to display hierarchy, part of the LATCH theory. I decided to go for option 3.

Fig 1.8 Sketches, Week 2 (15/1/2022)

Fig 1.9 Sketches, Week 2 (15/1/2022) 

Ms. Anis mentioned we could use the readymade assets so the characters are original assets from the official website. I decided to create new assets for their homes and the overall layout. 

Visual References

I wanted to create a map-style concept as if it is a theme park map of the Ponyville world. Due to time constraints, I decided to opt for a vector-based art style for the poster.

Fig 2.0 Concept Reference, Week 2 (15/1/2022)

Fig 2.1 Art Style Reference, Week 2 (15/1/2022)

I used Adobe Illustrator for the majority of the work. Thinking I wouldn't have sufficient time to complete it, I forgot to take screenshots of my progressions until later on. So here's some work in progress of creating the assets of the pony's houses.


Progressions

Fig 2.2 Developing the 'Carousel Boutique'

Fig 2.3 Developing the 'Cottage'

Fig 2.4 Cottage Asset

For the title, I used a font that was similar to the original font to have the same look and feel to the topic. The final layout slightly differs from the original sketch. I merged the logo and title into one and I realized following the sketch gets harder to visualize as I start putting the assets together. 

Final Exercise 2

Fig 2.5 Final Exercise 2, Week 3 (21/1/2022)

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FEEDBACK

Week 2
Specific Feedback:
Ms. Anis suggested I utilised the empty space by adding in a subtitle/description. For example, 'a collection of my coins etc/piggy bank/tabung ayam.'

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REFLECTIONS

Week 2
Exercise 1 has been fun and interesting to familiarise myself with quantifying data. It was quite tricky to find the most suitable way to present the data visually. However, it's all about information delivery. I hope to apply this knowledge in the next exercise where I have to break down more information.

Week 3
I decided to 'challenge' myself by doing another topic. In my defense, I thought it would make things easier doing a topic that I would lean more towards. (I don't know anything about Pokemon) However, I was struggling to ensure everything is organized neatly while designing the poster. On top of that ensuring the - location, alphabet, time, category, and hierarchy is included in the design made it a little tricky.

Hmmm, but if you need to know where each pony lives, you've come to the right person.