Information Design - Exercises

5.2.2024 - 18.02.2024 / Week 1 - Week 2

IAN CHOO XIN ZHE / 0369451

Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

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EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Quantify & Visualize Data

In Exercise 1, our task was to quantify raw data and creatively visualize information through the use of real-life objects, akin to crafting a photograph. This exercise encouraged us to delve into the realm of data representation, employing tangible items to convey complex information in a visually appealing manner. 

Fig 1.1 Final Submission

I chose to use coins because they were easy to find and recognize. To visually represent the data, I arranged the coins in the shape of an arrow. This arrow design helps guide the viewer's focus to the increasing quantities of different coin sizes. The lengthening wings of the arrow show how the number of coins grows proportionally, giving a clear picture of how the data is distributed. The arrow shape also suggests a sense of progression and direction in the data. To make things clearer, I made sure to use different sizes of coins during the data collection process. This way, I aimed to create a visual story that not only presents the data but also helps people understand it better.

Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H

L.A.T.C.H is a method of information organization that consist of these principles:

Location, Alphabet, Time, Category, Hierarchy

We are required to organize a group of information into a visual poster that combines and utilizes the LATCH principle.

I decided to do something different for my LATCH poster by choosing to do it around Premier League content, as I'm a huge fan of football.

Fig 2.1 Map of England with EPL Clubs

During my research and quest for inspiration, I stumbled upon an image that sparked the foundation for my poster. The visual concept from this discovery served as a guiding inspiration for the design and layout of my project. Originally, I envisioned featuring all 20 Premier League teams alongside their respective captains. However, as I delved deeper into the design process, I recognized the potential overcrowding issue. To maintain clarity and ensure a visually appealing layout with ample white space, I made the strategic decision to narrow down the focus. Consequently, I chose to spotlight the "Big 6" teams in the Premier League and their respective captains. This adjustment allows for a more concentrated and impactful presentation, ensuring that each club's information is showcased effectively on the poster.

I decided to go with the following info for my LATCH poster:

Location - Locations of the clubs in the England map

A - Names of the captains

Time - The duration that each captain has been at the club for

Category - Player positions

Hierachy - N/A

I then proceeded to collect information following my concept:

Location - Liverpool / Manchester / London

A - De Bruyne / Fernandes / James / Odegaard / Son / Van Dijk

Time - 08Y 05M / 04Y 01M / 04Y 07M / 02Y 05M / 08Y 05M / 06Y 01M

Category - Midfield / Midfield / Defence / Midfield / Forward / Defence

Hierachy - N/A

Fig 2.2 Rough Sketches

After finding the inspiring image, my next move was to brainstorm and make some rough sketches. While sketching, I had a thought of changing the whole idea, so I did a second and third sketch. But, as I looked at them more closely, I figured out they wouldn't work as well as my initial idea. They didn't really match up with the LATCH principles I was aiming for. So, I decided to stick with my first concept and build upon it.

Fig 2.3 Progress

Following the sketches, I transitioned to the digital phase using Photoshop. I began by creating the background, making sure to use the official Premier League color palette and patterns to stay true to the branding.

Fig 2.4 Progress

After establishing the background, I proceeded to integrate the club logos and their locations into the poster. This step not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also ensures that viewers can easily identify and associate each Premier League club with its specific location on the poster.

Fig 2.5 Progress

Moving forward, the subsequent step involved incorporating the players into the poster, complete with their names, positions, and the duration they joined their respective clubs. To enhance visual organization and aesthetic appeal, I created rectangular platforms for each player's information. These platforms were thoughtfully color-coordinated, following the colours associated with each club's colors. The use of consistent colors helped establish a clear and unified design, ensuring that the poster remains both aesthetically pleasing and informatively structured.

Fig 2.6 First Output

In class, Mr. Shamsul provided feedback on my LATCH poster. He mentioned that it appeared a bit messy and the colors seemed scattered. He suggested that I take the time to study and observe the official Premier League branding and design, recommending improvements for my poster.

Fig 2.7 Observing PL'S Official Website Design

Fig 2.8 Observing PL'S Official Website Design

Fig 2.9 Observing PL'S Official Website Design

Fig 2.10 Observing PL'S Official Website Design

I then visited the official website of the Premier League to observe its UI/UX and overall design. I sought inspiration on how to incorporate elements of their design into my revised poster.

Fig 2.11 Progress

Fig 2.12 Progress

I began designing player profiles in Adobe Illustrator, drawing inspiration from the official Premier League's branding with a sprinkle of my own touch. I made the corners of the graphics rounded as observed in the PL's website. Additionally, I made the backgrounds of each player profile match their club's colours. I considered changing the background color to something neutral to reduce visual noise.

Fig 2.13 Bringing the Assets Into Photoshop

The next step involved bringing all the assets into Photoshop to assemble the revised poster. I made changes such as switching the background color to a light grey, while keeping the text purple to align with the main colors of the Premier League's branding. For the map, I chose green as it universally represents land in maps and images. The green I used is from the Premier League's color palette, ensuring consistency with their branding.

Fig 2.14 Revised Final Submission