Information Design - Exercises

07/01/20 - 18/02/20 (Week 1 - Week 7)
Atiqah Farzana Binti Syalleh Karimyee (0336740)
Information Design
Exercises

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INSTRUCTIONS

Module Information Booklet:




Assignment brief:

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EXERCISES

Week 1 - Quantify and Visualize Data
(07/01/20)

We were given various buttons and Legos in different colours and we had to choose a set of only one colour. With whatever we chose, we then had to gather data on it and arrange it accordingly. I ended up choosing the light pink buttons because it was the closest shade to my favorite colour.

Firstly, I wrote down all of the categories that I could potentially group for the buttons.

Fig. 2.1 Buttons: Information 

Fig. 2.2 Buttons: Information 2

After I had all of the information, I started arranging the buttons according to size. I categorized them into 5 sizes which are XS, S, M, L and XL.

Fig. 2.3 Buttons: Arrangement by size

I showed my progress to Ms. Anis and she suggested splitting them into buttons with 2 holes and 4 holes, and from there I should also categorize them into their textures.

This was quite difficult to do and I spent a long time trying to place the buttons into a visual system that would work. 

Fig. 2.4 Buttons: Progress

Fig. 2.5 Buttons: First attempt

For my final infograhic, I split the buttons with 2 holes and 4 holes horizontally, and from there I categorized them by texture vertically.  Honestly, I think I should have added some colours to the boxes to show the different sizes more clearly. All of the lines look the same thus making it look not so visually pleasing.

Fig. 2.6 Buttons: Photoshop edit

Fig. 2.7 Buttons: Final Attempt

Week 2 - Saul Wurman's L.A.T.C.H
(14/01/20)

Our task was to organize four Pokemons into a visual poster that combined and utilizes the L.A.T.C.H principles. We were required to use any digital software to make the infographic poster, and we were also allowed to use existing images/ illustrations of said Pokemon.

Ms. Anis stated that it would be better if we designed our poster according to the region or area of the Pokemon era. There are various Pokemon regions which are all inspired or referenced from existing places. For example, I chose Pokemon Sapphire, which is set in the Hoenn region which is inspired by Japan's Kyushu region.

Here are some examples/ seniors works:

Fig. 3.1 L.A.T.C.H Example 1

Fig. 3.2 L.A.T.C.H Example 2

With a clearer idea of how to do the inforaphic, I started off by drawing some sketches of my layout ideas.

Fig. 3.3 Sketches 1

                     Fig. 3.4 Sketches 2

I thought drawing a GameBoy would be nice as it is what the old Pokemon games were played on.

                          Fig. 3.5 Gameboy reference

Fig. 3.6 Gameboy vector

Next, I used a picture of Mt. Kuju as a reference to draw my mountain. I was about to use Mt. Fuji as it is probably Japan's most famous mountain, but it was not located in Kyushu. Instead I did a bit of research and found Mt. Kuju, which is Kyushu's tallest mountain.

Fig. 3.7 Mt. Kuju

Fig. 3.8 Mt. Kuju vector

For the grasslands, I used the tress from the actual Pokemon game as a reference. The trees are coniferous, which have a distinct cone shape.

Fig. 3.9 Pokemon trees

Fig. 3.10 Tree vector process

Fig. 3.11 Tree vector

Next, I made a lake by using basic shapes such as the ellipse and rectangle tool.

Fig. 3.12 Bubbles vector: Ellipses 

Fig. 3.13 Bubbles vector: Grouped

Fig. 3.13 Bubbles vector: Move to back

I thought it would be a nice touch to add a waterfall coming out of the holes on the sides of the Gameboy meant for cooling.

Fig. 3.14 Waterfall vector

Fig. 3.15 Final location vectors

Now with the main 3 locations done, I had to add in my Pokemons and their evolution. Using the Pokemon Pokedex website, I went to the Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald page and was greeted with a lengthy list of Gen 3 Pokemons.

The four Pokemons I chose were Whismur, Treeko, Torchic and Mudkip.

Fig. 3.16 Pokemon evolutions added

Lastly, I added a title, a short description of what the infographic is about, as well as a legend of the different types. I also thought it would be good to include the names of each Pokemon and their evolution.

I initially did not know how to make the text wrap to the circle, so I searched up a tutorial and followed through- and I think it ended up looking much nicer than if I were to just have the Pokemon names as normal straight text.

Fig. 3.17 Title, description and legend added

Fig. 3.18 Final L.A.T.C.H poster

I really like how it turned out! Considering it was kind of the first time trying out this vector-style design, I think I tracing a lot of reference photos made it much easier. I think I used the whole canvas to full use as there are no empty spaces. Overall, I had fun doing this exercise because Pokemon is obviously something very cute and a part of a lot of people's childhood (not really mine, though).