Information Design: Exercises
3/2/25 - 24/3/25 // W1- W7
Mercy Chong HuiZiun // 0360929
Information Design // BDCM
Lectures & Exercises
Instructions
Fig 1.0 Module Information Booklet
Lectures
W1: Type of Infographics
Infographics are highly effective when it comes to increasing engagement and capturing your audience’s attention.
An Infographic is a powerful way to communicate ideas in a visual form.
8 types of infographics
- List Infographics
- An informational graphic that uses a written list to get a message across.
- Full of written copy, but also highly visual.
- Contextualising information makes it easier to read
- Statistical Infographics
- An infographic that includes pie charts, bar graphs, and any other visual representations of data.
- Using a statistical infographic to represent the information in a visual way is more easier to understand.
- How-to Infographics
- This infographic explains how to do something, like how to solve a problem/ perform a task.
- It describes the step-by-step process through the infographics.
- Timeline Infographics
- One of the most diverse in terms of their use. Ensure to use the icons and illustrations along the full length of the timeline to represent each point.
- Comparison Infographics
- A visual way to compare and contrast different options.
- This type of infographic helps readers to understand the difference between various concepts and can choose which option fits them best.
- Map & Location Infographics
- This infographic that is used a lot by many companies and organisations.
- Can be used for variety of purposes. People tend to use this infographic to communicate demographic data/other location specific information.
- Flowchart Infographics
- A graphical representation of an information stream, such as a sequence of different steps/actions.
- This type of infographic boosts engagement while giving users a clear data on what the process is about.
- Feels more personal, can resonate closely with potential audiences.
- Process Description Infographics
- A process description infographic visually describes the main elements, actions, and the steps of a process.
- To communicate technical information/complex series of actions.
- Useful because it highlights the most important steps and simplifies complex ideas by breaking them down and group them together according to their category.
Case Study: How does creative process work?
W2: L.A.T.C.H Theory
L: Location
A: Alphabet
T: Time
C: Category
H: Hierarchy
By using this theory, it gets us to organise the information better and presentable based on each of the categories.
W3: Miller's Law of Memory
- Miller's Law suggests how short-term memory is limited when it comes to remembering more than seven information "objects". and how retaining that information does not last longer than 30 secs.
"The Magical number 7, plus or minus two"
- Most humans are incapable of holding more than roughly 7 items in their short-term memory at once.
Validating Miller's rule: The paradox of choice
- This law directly opens up the issue of certain limitations when it comes to humans.
The art of refining options
W4: Manuel's Lima 9 Directives Manifesto
- Form follows function
- Interactivity is key
- Cite your source
- The power of Narrative
- Do not glorify Aesthetics
- Look for relevancy
- Embrace Time
- Aspire for Knowledge
- Avoid Gratuitous Visualisations
W5: Case Studies: Constructive Workflow
- It starts with the way you think.
Tips #1: Understand the Question
Tips #2: Construct a Strategic Plan
Tips #3: Fill in the Blank
Tips #4: Get some ideas & Inspiration
Tips #5: Set a perimeter
The key to focus is to balance your left and right brain.
W6: Weekly Lecture Recap
Exercise 1: Quantify & Visualise Data
In Week 1 tutorial/practical class, we had an in-class exercise where we
brought some items to arrange and sort them out into a presentable layout on
an A3 paper.
To gather a set of objects and separate it into category such as color,
shape, pattern, and other quantifiable factor. It is required to quantify our chosen objects and arrange them into a presentable layout or chart.
- Data
- Sorted
- Arranged
- Visually presented with a story
Progression
Data collected: Malaysian coins, including old and new ones
I sorted out the coins based on its value like for example 5 sen and 50
sen is in one group, not differentiating the old and new coins just
yet.
Arranged data
Visually arranged data
Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H Theory
L: Location
A: Alphabet
T: Time
C: Category
H: Hierarchy
To-do
- Organize a group of information into a visual poster that combines and utilizes the LATCH principles (Minimum 4).
- You are required to use the digital photo editing/illustration software available to assemble the information into a LATCH infographic poster.
- You are allowed to reuse back the images but you have to create the rest of visuals to complete the poster.
Progress
Visual References on Pinterest
Chosen Topic: Bubble Tea
Topic name: Guide to Bubble Tea
L (Location): Taiwan (Country of origin)
A (Alphabet): Bubble tea toppings
T (Time): Timeline of bubble tea’s popularity
C (Category): Tea types in bubble teas
H (Hierarchy): Bubble Tea Sugar level guide - what it says about you
After having a topic and a subject decided, I move forward to the ideation sketches progress on Procreate.
Sketches
Digitalisation process
(Software: Adobe Illustrator)
Final Outcome
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Reflections
For the first exercise, I find it a bit challenging as the item I brought in class for this exercise was a bunch of coins and I was trying to think of ways on how to display the coins in a creative and informative way. However, despite the struggles, I got the help from my course mates that's seated right next to me and also sometimes the lecturer would come by and check on our work and giving some words of encouragement. The class environment was also just nice as we're just doing our own stuff trying to assemble the items while the music is playing in the background.
As for the second exercise, I find it pretty fun to do honestly. I get to revisit Adobe Illustrator again and trying out how to make the poster look nice and informative. It definitely took a bit of my time which is why I didn't really get feedbacks from lecturer on my poster design but I find that this exercise trains my mind to think in a more structured way on how to present the informations which is quite helpful.
