Information Design: FLIP Topics and Exercises

13/1/2023 - 2/2/2023
Edwin Choo Quan Rong / 0348305 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) In Creative Media
GCD 60504 / Information Design
Exercises

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INSTRUCTIONS

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FLIP TOPICS

In the beginning 4 weeks of this module, each week introduced a new FLIP topic to learn about. As a group, we are tasked to discover findings about each topic and transform them into google slides, before presenting them towards the class to test our understanding.

FLIP TOPIC 1: Types of Infographics

FLIP TOPIC 2: Saul Wurman's L.A.T.C.H.

FLIP TOPIC 3: Miller's Law (Chunking)

FLIP TOPIC 4: Manuel Lima's 9 Directives Manifesto

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Redesigning an infographic

This task requires us to take 1 poorly designed infographic and transform it into one that is well done.

Fig 1.1 - Poorly designed infographic

This infographic is poorly designed as the percentages are not of accurate reading and comparison towards each other. 

Fig 1.2 - Improved Infographic

I carried over the information but displayed it using a pie chart instead. This gives a clearer representation of the percentages which adds up to a 100%. The titles of each section was written in legends so it wouldn't clutter with the pie chart.

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EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Quantify and Visualize Data

In week 1, we are tasked with visualizing and quantifying the data we have at hand such as coins or LEGO bricks (in this case it was LEGO bricks) by arranging them with relevant indicators written using a pen.

Fig 2.1 - Unsorted data

Here lies random pieces of LEGOs. The data here is currently unsorted.

Fig 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 - Sorted Data

Here is the final set of data sorted with certain categories and measurements. The LEGO bricks are first color-coded, then multiple same bricks were grouped together. To name a set of bricks, one can say:
"There is five of (6x2) grey LEGO bricks." 




Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H.

After learning about Saul Wurman's L.A.T.C.H. method, we are tasked to create an infographic using at least 4 out of the 5 categories. The topic suggestions were information from games such as Pokemon's Pokedex or classification such as Dinosaurs, but we can choose any topic we want. I went with an infographic about types of Pokemon found in the region Cobalt Coastlands from Pokemon Legends Arceus (PLA for short). I chose this game as I am familiar with the environment as I have personally explored the area multiple times during my playthrough.

Firstly, I had to figure out which pokemon I want to showcase. Since PLA is set in the past, there are some pokemons unique to its generation, and Cobalt Coastlands holds two unique pokemon designs: Hisuian Growlithe and Basculegion. Since these two pokemons are of fire and water element, I figured a grass element will help complete the trifecta for this infographic. Sadly there weren't any grass exclusive pokemons in Cobalt Coastlands so after some research, I had to settle with Tangela as my grass pokemon. 

Fig 2.5 - Vector assets for infographic

I worked on creating assets for the infographic in Adobe Illustrator. A box for showcasing the pokemon, with arrows to show its evolution route and the game's logo to add a nice touch to it. The background color is faded peach to give that old scroll texture and feel, to mimic the time period the game is set in.
(The visual assets of the game also uses old scroll aesthetics for their maps.)

Fig 2.6 - L.A.T.C.H. Infographic for Cobalt Coastlands | Pokemon Legends Arceus

This is the final look of the infographic. The arrows are color-coded with the pokemon's typing to pinpoint where they are on the map. The font is the same as the one they use in the game so that it fits into the world of PLA. 

In terms of L.A.T.C.H. principles, I have used

• Location - showing where the pokemons are found
  
  
• Alphabet - the elements on the right are ordered in alphabetical order, from top to bottom
  
  
• Time - as in timeline, this is shown with the arrows of the order the pokemon evolves into
  
  
• Category - the pokemons on the left with the same element type and evolution tree are grouped together in one box
  
  

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REFLECTION

These exercises were the introduction to this module. The first exercise made me thought it was about data organization but this semester became mostly about infographics instead. I guess it is something like data organization. I'm glad this experience help me get used to the coming projects and exercises for this module. L.A.T.C.H. was extremely fun to create as we can choose our topic from things we know such as movies or games. Overall, I'm glad for doing these two exercises as it helps build my foundation of knowledge for this module.