Information Design / Exercises
03/02/2025 - 03/03/2024 / Week 1 - Week 5
Eng Yan Ling
Bachelor's Degree in Creative Media (Hons) - (Taylor's University)
Information Design / Exercises
TABLE CONTENT
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1. MIB
2. Lecture
3. Exercise
3.1 Exercise 1 : Quantifiable Information
3.2 Exercise 2 : L.A.T.C.H Infographic Poster
4. Feedback
5. Reflection
6. Quick Links
MIB
LECTURE
W1 - 10/02/2025
L.A.T.C.H Theory
- List of Infographic
- informational - written list
- info, numbering - data → visualize info
- a visual cannot entirely convey its message
- statistical infographic
- pie chart, bar graph, etc
- how to deliver message/set of info to your audience?
- how-to infographic
- step-by-step process
- timeline infographic
- movement from one point to another
- numbering → organic/linear/circular?
- comparison infographic
- map/location infographic
- flowchart infographic
- sequence of different step and action
- planning out your info to know what to do next
- process description infographic
- steps of process - communicating important steps/info
creative process :
L - Location
A - Alphabetical
T - Time (timestamps)
C - Category (e.g. website search engines)
H - Hierarchy (e.g. popularity, price - low/high)
W2 - 10/02/2025
Miller's Law
- having a fact before communication
- short term memory - limit to 7 info/object
- miller’s law understand the info
- understand how to present info and how to make it a certain set of info for audience to understand & make a choice
- refining option
- processing info for easy understanding
- categorizing data
W3 - 24/02/204
Manuel Lima's 9 Directive Manifesto
- understanding visual complexity - 9 categories defined by manuel lima (involved in info and visualization industry)
- work driven by query - explain info based on query (putting a set of result based on a question expected from users)
- provide 360 technique/informative system to access info from anywhere - understanding the info, pinpointing from one info to another
- user friendly = interactivity
- data origins - collecting data - transformed into informative data = informing facts and not creating a fact
- elaborating info into storytelling
- recognizing patterns of info = memorable info
- focusing on aesthetic loses the direction of design from the start
- do not design for designers = aesthetic; design for public = infographic
- info > aesthetic
- ex. google = audience wants
- setting a perimeter to understand the timeframe of project
- process = time = money
- core ability of visualizing info - translate into knowledge
- avoiding adding more noise to design, ex. microsoft vs. google
- simplified, informative
EXERCISES
EXERCISE 1 : QUANTIFIABLE INFORMATION
Instructions
- Quantify raw data and visualize information as a photograph
- Visual representation of numerical data that allows for easy interpretation and analysis.
Instruction:
Gather a set of objects and separate it into category such as color, shape, pattern, and other quantifiable factor.
Example:
1. Box of Lego
2. Jar of button
3. Jar of marble ball
4. Set of colourful rubber strap & more.
In this exercise you're 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.
Submission:
E-Portfolio report consists of
1. Photo of the random objects before sorting out
2. Objects sorted out by categories (2 - 5 category)
3. Write and design the information on a piece of papers (A3 drawing paper)
- Visual representation of numerical data that allows for easy interpretation and analysis.
Instruction:
Gather a set of objects and separate it into category such as color, shape, pattern, and other quantifiable factor.
Example:
1. Box of Lego
2. Jar of button
3. Jar of marble ball
4. Set of colourful rubber strap & more.
In this exercise you're 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.
Submission:
E-Portfolio report consists of
1. Photo of the random objects before sorting out
2. Objects sorted out by categories (2 - 5 category)
3. Write and design the information on a piece of papers (A3 drawing paper)
1. Materials
Materials chosen for this exercise - lego bricks.
Figure 3.1 Material - Lego Bricks
2. Ideation
The bricks are categorised into colors and further categorised into individual types. The data is organized according to the least to the largest number of bricks and its size.
Idea #1 - Bar Chart
Idea #1 similarly to the design of a bar chart from least to most of each type of brick from individual rows to double rows and other different bricks.
Figure 3.2 is a sample of how the bricks will be arranged.
Figure 3.2 Idea #1
Idea #2 - Circular Infographic
Idea #2 is referenced from a circular infographic arrangement. The set of data is arrange according to the color with the bricks and gradually moving towards the outer circle is the descending order of the bricks. Each color is also arranged according to its size from an individual row to a double row.
Figure 3.3 is a sample of the arrangement of the black bricks.
Figure 3.3 Idea #2
3. Categorisation
Reviewing my ideas with Mr Shamsul, he advised to opt of an arrangement that is unique and different. Hence, my final choice of arrangement is based on Idea #2.
Figure 3.4 Color Categorised
The bricks are firstly categorised by their colors as seen in Figure 3.4.
Figure 3.5 Characteristic Categorised
Once the the bricks are categorised according to its color, it is further distributed into individual characteristics such as the number of rows, number of studs and its shape. It is arranged in a descending order from bottom to the top and colors categorised in a descending order from left to right in Figure 3.5.
4. Progress
Before arranging the set of data. A piece of A3 paper is used with circular lines used as guide. The circular linings is drawn using a compass protractor from a cross-section line with its midpoint. Progress of building the set of data according to the guidelines drawn on the paper.
Figure 3.4 shows the arrangement from black-white-yellow.
5. Final
Researching a few images on vintage microphones, the vintage microphone illustration is formed using a primary shape, square and curved edges are rounded using the pencil tool. Using the mic stand as "branch" or "foundation" of the information, the order of the information are arranged in zig-zag order as seen in Figure 3.13. The difference in typeface and font size differentiates the information and also applying typography hierarchy to the information.
Before arranging the set of data. A piece of A3 paper is used with circular lines used as guide. The circular linings is drawn using a compass protractor from a cross-section line with its midpoint. Progress of building the set of data according to the guidelines drawn on the paper.
Figure 3.6 Progress #1
Figure 3.7 Progress #2
Figure 3.5 shows the arrangement of black-white-yellow-orange-green-pink-brown with its labels and data along the circular guidelines.
FINAL EXERCISE 1 : QUANTIFIABLE INFORMATION
Figure 3.8 Final Infographic Arrangement
Final infographic poster with its title, labels and data arranged.
Title : Lego Abyss
Behind the title : Similarly to the shape of an abyss hole in the center, the bricks surrounding the "black hole" are gradually flowing/sinking into the "abyss".
Story : In the abyss of unknown, the bricks continuously sinks down the abyss. Unknown to others, below the abyss forms a creature over a million years.
EXERCISE 2 : L.A.T.C.H INFOGRAPHIC POSTER
Instructions
1. Organize a group of information into a visual poster that combines and utilizes the LATCH principles (Minimum 4).
2. You are required to use the digital photo editing/illustration software available to assemble the information into a LATCH infographic poster.
3. You are allowed to reuse back the images but you have to create the rest of visuals to complete the poster.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Size resolution: 1240 × 1750 pixels or 2048 × 2048 pixels.
2. Progress and submission link on E-Portfolio.
SUBMISSION:
1. Final poster attached to this submission.
2. E-Portfolio link attached to this submission.
2. You are required to use the digital photo editing/illustration software available to assemble the information into a LATCH infographic poster.
3. You are allowed to reuse back the images but you have to create the rest of visuals to complete the poster.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Size resolution: 1240 × 1750 pixels or 2048 × 2048 pixels.
2. Progress and submission link on E-Portfolio.
SUBMISSION:
1. Final poster attached to this submission.
2. E-Portfolio link attached to this submission.
1. Ideation
Topic Ideas:
a. Evolution of K-Pop (Timeline Infographic)
b. Anatomy of a Cat's Personality
c. Solar System
Background Research - Evolution of K-Pop Music :
Source :
1st Generation 1990-2004 - Seo Taiji & The Boys, H.O.T, S.E.S
(Ballad, Pop) / Romance, Youth - South Korea
- foundation of kpop
- specific roles to each member
2nd Generation 2005-2011 - TVXQ, Wonder Girls, Big Bang
(Hip Hop, R&B + Western music elements, electro-pop) - Japan, China
- start of trainee system before debut
- easy choreography, "highlight/point" of the song
- larger groups
- heavily styled
3rd Generation 2012-2017 - BTS, EXO, Twice, Seventeen
- unique concepts, addictive meoldies, visually appealing
- storytelling concepts & universe
- growing globally
- survival programs
- natural but slightly heavy makeup that refines individual features
4th Generation 2018-2022 - Straykids, Ateez, TXT, Enhypen, IVE
- innovative
intense choregraphies/performances
- viral challenges
- unique music videos
- challenging the norm (sci-fi, self-love)
- freedom of individual style
- dropping the concept of roles among members - all-rounder members
5th Generation 2023-Present - Riize, ZB1, BND
- youthful and fresh concepts
- songs reduced to 2-3 minutes, catching attention quick>entire song performance
- natural fashion trends
- introduction catch phrase opt
- ai groups, mave: plave
L.A.T.C.H Theory Application :
Location
Alphabetical Order
Timeline : Luxurious Scripts
Category : Marcellus
Hierarchy
(
1990-2004
1st Generation
foundation of kpop
(Ballad, Pop) / Romance, Youth, Old School Style
specific roles to each member
Groups : Seo Taiji & The Boys, H.O.T, S.E.S
South Korea
2005-2011
2nd Generation
(Hip Hop, R&B + Western music elements, electro-pop) - Japan, China
- start of trainee system before debut
- easy choreography, "highlight/point" of the song
- larger groups
- heavily styled
Groups : TVXQ, Wonder Girls, Big Bang
Japan, China
2012-2017
3rd Generation
- unique concepts, addictive meoldies, visually appealing
- storytelling concepts & universe
- growing globally
- survival programs
- natural but slightly heavy makeup that refines individual features
Groups : BTS, EXO, Twice, Seventeen
International - U.S. etc
2018-2022
4th Generation
- innovative
intense choregraphies/performances
- viral challenges
- unique music videos
- challenging the norm (sci-fi, self-love)
- freedom of individual style
- dropping the concept of roles among members - all-rounder members
Groups : Straykids, Ateez, TXT, Enhypen, IVE
Global
2023-Present
5th Generation
- youthful and fresh concepts
- songs reduced to 2-3 minutes, catching attention quick>entire song performance
- natural fashion trends
- introduction catch phrase opt
- ai groups, mave: plave
Groups : Riize, ZB1, BND
Global
)
2. Reference/Research
Figure 3.9 Infographic Examples
Source : Pinterest
Figure 3.10 Color Palette
Source : Pinterest
3. Sketch
Figure 3.11 Layout Sketch
(Row 1, Left-Right)
Sketch #1 - A vintage microphone stand that branches out the evolution of kpop from top to bottom with its sequence alternating between right and left.
Sketch #2 - A bar chart shaped with its height indicating the "peak" among the kpop eras with the information arranged within the shaped of the bar chart.
Sketch #3 - Representing the "road" down the evolution of kpop with a sky and a road in the background. The heading of each era is placed on the "road" with other relevant information placed beside its title.
Sketch #4 - Similarly to sketch #3, the hierarchy of stages indicating the "path" down the eras of kpop and each era and its information is placed into its respective "stage".
(Row 2, Left-Right)
Sketch #5 & #7 - A stage with the spotlight that shines onto the title of the poster or a group of graphic images of popular kpop groups. Each era and its information will be placed surrounding the spotlight.
Sketch # 6 - Similar to sketch #5, this idea also incorporates the stage where kpop idols shine and followed below is the breakdown of each era in kpop. The graphics will be overlapping each other in the middle but still divided into groups of its own era.
4. Progress
Figure 3.12 Choice of Typeface/Fonts
Fonts Used :
Year : Luxurious Script
Heading : Marcellus
Text : Baskerville
Groups : Baskerville Bold Italic
Location : Bodoni Condensed Italic
Figure 3.13 Idea #1 Progress
Figure 3.14 Information Spacing
Looking at the entire arrangement of information is a bit tight, therefore the elements are readjusted to explore for a better outcome of the poster.
Figure 3.15 Background Layer
To elevate the background, an additional image of a crowd cheering is used to add the "hype" representing the hype of kpop throughout the generation.
According to the shape of the spotlight, the text is arranged with a flexible text box as seen in Figure 3.16
Exploring different positions and size of the "stage" to ensure sufficient area for information to be visible.
Figure 3.16 Idea #7 / Text Arrangement
According to the shape of the spotlight, the text is arranged with a flexible text box as seen in Figure 3.16
Figure 3.17 Heading Exploration
Exploring a few options of heading that best fit the poster, Figure 3.17 was the original idea for Idea #7 heading but it did not fit to my expectation or the aesthetic of the poster.
Figure 3.18 Progression
Exploring potential layouts and position for the information.
Figure 3.19 Color Exploration
Exploring different potential layouts through the color combination of the illustration, background and text.
Figure 3.20 Idea #5 Attempts
Different attempts of Idea #5 layouts.
Figure 3.19 Idea #4 Exploration
Setting out the platform as a base to position the information.
Figure 3.20 Idea #4 Positioning
Figure 3.21 Idea #4 Progression
Figure 3.22 Background Layer
Figure 3.24 Background Layout
Using a bright blue from the color palette, in contrast a bright yellow color is used on the timeline of each era in kpop as seen in Figure 3.31 and breaks down 2 numbers per row.
Elements selected and sourced from Pinterest that best represent each era throughout kpop.
(b) Category
(c) Hierarchy (Larger = Popular > Smaller)
The hierarchy throughout the poster is the size of the location in each generation where the region with the highest popularity is larger than the other. The background map is only for visual purpose and representation of a location. Hence, location markers are not marked on the exact accurate location of the country.
(d) Category & Location
Logos of K-Pop groups that will be categorized in its own category.
Graphical shapes added to each generation to categorise the groups in a section using a more muted yellow circular shape.
4. Final
Rough estimation of the entire composition to be placed into the poster.
To enhance the composition of the poster, layers of a crowd cheering is placed in the background as seen in Figure 3.22. The opacity of each layer is lowered as it goes up to avoid the background looking too cluttered.
Opacity Percentage (Up - Down) : 10% - 30% - 50% - 70% - 90% - 100%
Figure 3.23 Idea #4 Poster
Idea #4 Poster Outcome.
The idea of this poster comes from the generations that have "walked down" a long path, paving and carving better opportunities for future idols by breaking through records internationally. Therefore, the hierarchy of the information comes from the top to the bottom representing the stage they have all walked down together.
The idea of this poster the road down each generation to kpop of today. Therefore, a direct representation of a road can be seen in the background of the poster.
Figure 3.25 Idea #3 Poster
Idea #3 Poster Outcome with text arranged according to the shapes of the elements in the background.
Figure 3.26 Infographic Poster Attempts
Overall overview of posters attempts of the above.
Final Exercise 2 - Progression #1 Infographic Poster
Figure 3.27 Final Infographic Poster
Week 3 - 18/02/2024
1. Color Palette/Mood board
Figure 3.28 Color Palette
Source : Pinterest
Palette with contrast and emphasis, complimenting each other. A color palette with a bright blue and yellow is chosen to represent the contrasting variety of elements, colors, and genre in kpop.
Fonts Used :
(a) Anton
(b) Bodoni Regular
(c) Bodoni Italics
Art Direction :
- Timeline distributed sections that is minimal and direct accompanied by a variety of graphic elements to portray each section.
2. Sketch
Figure 3.30 Progression Sketch #2
(detailed distribution of information placing and position elaborated in sketch)
Sketch #1 (Top) - A timeline break down alternating from left to right with its timeline positioned on the color strip. Rather than having more text in comparison to the previous progression, this poster aims to convey the colors and style of kpop through visual elements with keywords such as vintage, retro, pop accompanied by masked images of popular kpop groups from each era as well their group logos.
Sketch #2 (Bottom) - Similarly to sketch #1, the entire poster has the same concept but only arranged in a clockwise timeline.
3. Progression
(a) Timeline
Figure 3.31 Timeline Arrangement
Using a bright blue from the color palette, in contrast a bright yellow color is used on the timeline of each era in kpop as seen in Figure 3.31 and breaks down 2 numbers per row.
Figure 3.32 Elements
Source : Pinterest
(b) Category
Figure 3.33 Categorised/Grouped Graphics
Source : Pinterest
According to my knowledge and research on this particular topic, relevant graphic elements were carefully sourced to represent the colors and style of each era.
Based on the summary of each category in Progression #1, the graphic elements found are photoshopped, arranged and layered as seen in Figure 3.33.
Justification categorization breakdown :
1. 1st Gen - Retro, Vintage, Old School
2. 2nd Gen - Retro, Electro-pop
3. 3rd Gen - Pop, Heavy
4. 4th Gen - Maximalist, Y2K, Futuristic
5. 5th Gen - Vintage, Fresh, Natural
Font (Name of Category/Title) : Anton
Figure 3.34 Heading - Anton
Emphasis of keyword through color and compressed to fit and balance the poster.
Blue title with a word in yellow with its color representing the joy, inspiration, and motivation it gives to its fans through their music and themselves.
Figure 3.35 Location
The location icons across the posters are countries that each generation are popular during their era. Tracing an image of a pointer, the map of each country is cropped into a circle and placed onto the pointer as seen in Figure 3.35
(left to right)
1. Sample
2. China
3. Japan
4. South Korea
5. U.S
6. Global/International
Figure 3.36 Location Size
The hierarchy throughout the poster is the size of the location in each generation where the region with the highest popularity is larger than the other. The background map is only for visual purpose and representation of a location. Hence, location markers are not marked on the exact accurate location of the country.
Figure 3.37 Overview
Overview of the arrangement with elements mentioned above.
Figure 3.38 Kpop Logos
Source : Pinterest
Logos include :
1. Super Junior
2. Big Bang
3. NCT
4. BTS
5. EXO
6. SEVENTEEN
8. BOY NEXT DOOR
9. Tomorrow by Together
10. ZERBASEONE
11. IVE
12. ATEEZ
Figure 3.39 Categorisation
4. Final
FINAL EXERCISE 2 : INFOGRAPHIC POSTER
Figure 3.40 FINAL EX2 POSTER
FEEDBACK
Exercise 2 : Infographic Poster
Week 1 - 03/02/2025
- choose materials that gives you a unique data, e.g. more distribution and categories
- between both potential arrangement, choose a layout that is more interesting.
Week 3 - 18/02/2024
- so far layouts requires a lot more work as it doesn't look like an infographic. there needs to be a balance between the words and graphical elements.
REFLECTION
Reflecting on my progress throughout both exercises, it was a learning journey for me as I complete the exercises. I faced challenges constructing a layout that applies the design principle learned in previous semesters which resulted in poor layouts based on feedback received from Mr Shamsul. Even though there were some confusion and uncertainty whilst carrying my task, the guidance of Mr Shamsul throughout my progression has been helpful towards producing a better outcome of each exercise. Throughout this exercise, I learnt that even having the basic knowledge of basic principles is not sufficient in creating a poster that convey its message and information clearly but also the ability to apply these design principle is crucial in designing a poster with clarity. Apart from that, I have refined other soft skills such as improving my time management and problem-solving skills in terms of identifying my weaknesses and working the best course of action to execute my projects.
QUICK LINK
Final Project : Click Here
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