Project-3: Infographics & Data Visualization

Posted by: Ping

Art-420 VisComm III / Project-3: Infographics & Data Visualization

Infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly. The process of creating infographics can be referred to as data visualization, information design, or information architecture.

“Information design makes complex information
easier to understand and to use.”
– AIGA

Overview
You’ve seen infographics on television, in magazines, in newspapers, and on the web. Infographic design addresses this need by blending typography, illustration, communication study, ergonomics, psychology, linguistics, and a variety of other fields to create concise messages. Infographics have the ability to communicate significant amounts of information within a confined space, and are quickly growing in popularity. It focuses on the accurate representation of specific knowledge sets and the unique needs of the end user receiving that content. The legibility of charts, graphs or maps is the utmost concern to the  information and data visualization.

Infographics are an exciting area of graphic design. They are a glyph form of communication and are quickly becoming a new language. This language is widespread crossing cultures and industries and has the ability to be identity neutral. Infographics are becoming a requisite skill for anyone involved in design and social media. They are able to convey a large amount of information in a small space, are compelling to look at, and are accessible to a broad audience.

Project Objective:

The purpose of this project is learn more about infographics and how to create them in this visual communication III course.

Project Requirement

  1. Creating an infographic design.
  2. Creating an inforgraphic mapping style and an effective data visualization.
    (for example: Dimensional Diagramming, Block Diagram Map, Circular Graph, etc)
  3. Focusing on the identification and reflection about the theme itself.
  4. Showing and analyzing statistical data.
  5. Visualizing complex matters, and encouraging the eye to compare different pieces of data.
  6. Revealing the data at several levels of detail, from a broad overview to the fine structure.
  7. Serving a reasonably purpose: description, exploration, tabulation and decoration.
  8. Creating a learning style and educating target audiences.

Possible Topics for the Project:

Research some newspapers, magazines, websites and inforgraphic journals and choose one of the following topics for your project.

  • Economy
  • Salary Survey
  • Migration Study
  • Public Transportation
  • Weather and Climate Change
  • Energy Profile
  • Health Profile
  • Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
  • Political Propaganda
  • Cultural Communication

With this project, you will:

  • Learn to collect, analyze, compare and display data.
  • Learn how infographics can tell stories and build compelling information narratives that communicate beautifully and effectively.

Project Size: 17″ X 22″
Date Range: March 17 – April 22
Due Day: April 22, 2014

Flickr Gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/_pxstudio/galleries/72157627867743779/
Project Pool: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1827313@N22/

Recommended Readings
Robert Harris, Information Graphics – A Comprehensive Illustrated Reference
Area Graph {p11-18}
Abstract Map {p7}
Axonometric Projection {p26}
Circular Graphs {p75-76}
Pictorial Bar Graph {p41}
Block Chart, Block Map {p55, p135}
Three-dimensional Bubble Graph {p61}
Class Interval & Data Map {p77, p127, p226, p234}
Column Graphs {p81-83}
Patch Graph {p93, p269}
Exploded Diagram/Chart {p148}
Tone and Pattern {p150-151}
Flow Map {p157-158}
Grid Rule {p183-184}
Isoline Map{p200-201}
Line Graphs {p214}
Perspective Projection {p273}
Projection {p310}
Shadow or Shading {p351}
Statistical Map {p361-363}

Jenn & Ken Visocky O’Grady, The Information Design Handbook
AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) {P80}
LATCH (Location, Alphabet, Time, Category, Hierarchy) Organization {p82}
Structure {p98}
Legibility {p108}

Case Study

  1. Franceschini Chart {p183, The Informational Design Handbook}
  2. Provocative Connections {p190, The Informational Design Handbook}
  3. The race to the moon poster {p207, The Informational Design Handbook}
  4. Visualizing research project {p203, The Informational Design Handbook}
  5. Dimensional Diagramming {p190, Information Design Workbook}
  6. Digg Stamen Design {p223-225, Information Design Workbook}