Information Design / Exercises

on
03.02.2025 -12.02.2025 (Week 1 - Week 2)
Ng Kar Yee / 0367743
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Information Design / Exercises 1 & 2

LECTURES

Week 1⇒ Types Of Infographics

On our first day, Mr Fauzi gave us a brief introduction on the module and told us what to expect for the current semester. We were also brief on our final group project, where we were told to split ourself into groups and prepare for the ideation for the project. Besides, we were given a short lecture on types of infographics. 

  • Infographics are highly effective when it comes to increasing engagement and capturing audience’s attention as it is a powerful way of communicating ideas in a visual form. 
  • Different types of infographics are used in design and marketing to present information in a simple and visually appealing way. 
There are 8 types of infographics which is,

1. List infographics
  • A list infographic is an informational graphic that uses a written list to get a message across. It’s full of written copy, but it’s also highly visual.
2. Statistical infographics
  • A statistical infographic is an infographic that includes pie charts, bar graphs, and any other visual representations of data.
3. How-to infographics
  • A how-to infographic explains how to do something, like how to solve a problem or perform a task.
4. Timeline infographics
  • The timeline infographic is not only useful and informative, but it’s also visually appealing.
5. Comparison infographics
  • A comparison infographic is a visual way to compare and contrast different options.
  • By presenting two or more alternatives side-by-side, this type of infographic helps readers understand the distinction between various concepts
6. Map and location infographics
  • Map infographics can be used for a variety of purposes. People tend to use them when they want to communicate demographic data or other location-specific information.
7. Flowchart infographics
  • A flowchart infographic is a graphical representation of an information stream, such as a sequence of different steps or actions.
8. Process description infographics
  • A flowchart infographic is a graphical representation of an information stream, such as a sequence of different steps or actions.

Week 2⇒ L.A.T.C.H Theory

What is the L.A.T.C.H Theory?

  • L.A.T.C.H Theory refers to a method of organizing information based on the five categories: Location, Alphabet, Time, Category, and Hierarchy
  • It's a concept popularized by information designer Richard Saul Wurman, who uses the acronym "LATCH" to represent these key ways to structure data for easy access and understanding.

What does L.A.T.C.H stands for?

1. Location (L)
  • This is the technique of organizing information based on its location.
2. Alphabet (A)
  • Organizing the content Alphabetically is probably the easiest way to group information, mainly because alphabets are universally recognized.
3. Time (T)
  • This scheme uses the temporal nature of content for organizing information.
  • This is very effective in social media websites, where users would like to know about the most recent events
4. Category (C)
  • Category refers to any meaningful group, with reference to the website or the audience.
5. Hierarchy (H)
  • Hierarchy refers to arranging information by any order, such as, size, cost, popularity.

INTRODUCTION


EXERCISE 1⇒ QUANTIFIABLE INFORMATION

For our first exercise, Mr Fauzi and Mr Shamsul introduced Quantifiable Information where we are needed to quantify raw data and visualize information as a photograph. Besides, we need to prepare a visual information of numerical data that allows for easy interpretation and analysis. We were instructed to gather a set of objects and separate it into category such as color, shape, pattern, and other quantifiable factor. For instance, a box of lego, a jar of button, a jar of marble ball or a set of colourful rubber strap.
In this exercise, we are required to,
  • Quantify our chosen objects and arrange them into a presentable layout or chart.
  • The information must be presented as is, and you need to arrange the objects with relevant indicators written out with pens to help you to visualize the quantity and data. The examples of objects that can be use are buttons, coins, lego pieces, M&Ms, and more.

ARRANGEMENT

For this exercise, I decided to use paper clips as my set of objects as it can be found easily anywhere. Besides, I found it suitable for this exercise as it consists of various colours.

Figure 1.0 My Materials

After preparing the suitable objects for the exercise and getting a greenlight from Mr Shamsul, I started on arranging my object. I begin arranging the paperclips step by step from what Mr Fauzi and Mr Shamsul taught.

DATA 

To start, I just pile everything in one bundle.
Figure 1.1 Data

SORTED 

Then, I divided the paperclips between groups of colours.
Figure 1.2 Sorted

ARRANGED

After dividing the paperclips into groups of colours, I arranged them vertically one by one.
Figure 1.3 Arranged

PRESENTED VISUALLY

After that, I started to arranged them in groups of colours and from the smallest amount of paperclips to the most amount from left to right to make them visually clear.
Figure 1.4 Presented Visually

PRESENTABLE LAYOUT OR CHART

After sorting them orderly, I started arranging them in more fun and creative way. For the first idea, I designed it to have a more scattered and freedom layout. The scattered arrangement makes the infographic feel dynamic and engaging. It gives a sense of movement or flow, making the information look more interactive.
Figure 1.5 Draft Layout 1

Figure 1.6 Final Layout 1

For the second idea, I designed it with rectangular layouts like layouts in a book. The structured rectangular arrangement makes it easy to compare different categories visually. The alignment and positioning of elements help maintain clarity in data organization.

Figure 1.7 Draft Layout 2

Figure 1.8 Final Layout 2

For the third idea, I designed the infographic with circular and radial layout. It was inspired with the firework we had during Chinse New Year. The radial design naturally draws attention to the relationships between different elements. It provides a balanced look, making it visually appealing and easy to understand connections.
Figure 1.9 Draft Layout 3

Figure 2.0 Final Layout 3

EXERCISE 2⇒ L.A.T.C.H INFOGRAPHIC POSTER 

For our second exercise, Mr Fauzi and Mr Shamsul introduced L.A.T.CH Infographic Poster where we are needed to organize a group of information into a visual poster that combines and utilizes the minimum four of LATCH principles. 

In this exercise, we are required to,
  • Use digital photo editing or illustration software to assemble the information into a L.A.T.C.H infographic poster
  • Size resolution: A4 size

RESEARCH

To have a head start, I started by doing some research on Google and Pinterest.

Figure 2.1 Reference

Figure 2.2 Reference

Figure 2.3 Reference

SKETCHING AND IDEATION

After doing some research, I decided to do a poster on the 12 zodiac constellation. Then, I started on the sketching of the layout.

Figure 2.4 Sketch

Figure 2.5 Sketch

After finish sketching, I showed Mr Shamsul. However, he suggested why not do the 12 zodiac animal instead of the constellation? 

DIGITIZATION

After getting an ideation greenlight from Mr Shamsul, I process on digitizing my poster. My topic for this exercise is the 12 Chinese Zodiac Animal. Therefore, I started first by confirming my L.A.T.C.H infos. I decided to used Location(L), Time(T), Category(C) and Hierarchy(H)

1. Location
  • The 12 zodiac animal originated in China, it’s central to Lunar New Year and traditions. Its influence spreads across East and Southeast Asia, with variations like Vietnam’s Cat replacing the Rabbit. Globally, the zodiac is celebrated, reflecting its cultural significance and universal appeal.
2. Time
  • Birth year representing the zodiac animal
3. Category
  • The 12 zodiac animal is split into 5 category which is metal element, fire element, water element, wood element and earth element. 
4. Hierarchy
  • Each 12 zodiac animal has also been split by its symbolise. 
After researching all the information, I started to draft out how i wanted my infographic to be. For my first draft, I designed it to be like a "Yin Yang plate" where all the infos would gather inside the "plate". Beside as the 12 animal zodiac was based on Chinese cultural which involved the Yin and Yang, therefore I feel the current draft was suitable for the topic. However as I was designing, I felt that the infos were too much to fit in the "plate" and was visually cluttered.

Figure 2.6 Draft 1

After realising the issue, I started on drafting another layout. This time I drafted it in a simple side by side layout which can fit all of the information into the design. 

Figure 2.7 Draft 2

After drafting out the layout, I started on digitizing using Adobe Illustrator. 

Figure 2.8 Concept Explanation 

The infographic follows a vertical design layout, making it easy to read from top to bottom.
Besides, each zodiac sign is organized sequentially. I also added illustration of each animals beside each of the information so that viewer may identify which info represent which zodiac animal easily. Furthermore, I also used colour scheme like red, blue, green, brown and gold yellow to differentiation the category between, earth, fire, water, wood and metal element. 

Figure 2.9 Typography

For the typography wise, the mix of serif and sans-serif fonts are used so that it creates a balance between tradition and readability. For the heading, Krungthep is used while for the body Bembo Std Semibold is used. I added Chinese font to the design as I wanted to add a cultural touch to it as the 12 Chinese Zodiac Animal is based on tradition chinese culture from China. The font used for the Chinese wording for the info part is 字魂白鸽天行体 while for the topic Chinese font is 段宁毛笔行书.

Figure 3.0 Digitization

After finish digitizing the poster, I got some feedbacks from Mr Shamsul where he advised to readjust the body paragraph from justified to align left as it has too much spacing between the words. Besides, he also suggested to highlight the title more.

FINAL DIGITIZATION

Figure 3.1 Final Digitization (JPEG)

FEEDBACK

WEEK 2

  • The arrangement seem well however can be more creative for the final presentable chart or layout
WEEK 3
  • The idea and sketch for 12 constellation is ok however why not do the 12 zodiac animal

WEEK 4

  • The body paragraph is advised to be in align left instead of justify
  • Highlight the title more

REFLECTION

Working on Exercise 1 which is Quantitative Information and Exercise 2 which is L.A.T.C.H Infographic Poster have been a fun ride where I got to learn how to identify and arrange information clearly. Besides, it was new experience as it was my first time learning how infographic works and which kind of design or layout would present a clearer visual to the audiences. Moreover, we have the opportunity to analyze and explore information with physical object such as paper clips which I used. This project was challenging yet interesting for me as I need to combine and arrange all the information needed yet still express creativity in a page however with the guidance I got from Mr Fauzi, Mr Shamsul and my friends, I managed to finish the tasks.

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