Information Design - Exercises

04.02.2025

Graciella Limpah / 0364517 

Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors University 

Exercises

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LECTURES

Type of Infographics

Infographics are effective to increase engagement and capturing audience’s attention. It is a powerful way of communicating ideas in a visual form.

8 types of infographics :

1. List Infographics 
2. Statistical Infographics 
3. How-to Infographics 
4. Timeline Infographics 
5. Comparison Infographics 
6. Map and location Infographics 
7. Flowchart Infographics 
8. Process description Infographics 

1. List Infographics
A list infographic is a visual way to present information using a written list. It combines text with design elements to make the content more engaging and easy to understand. By adding visuals, it grabs attention and helps people remember key points, especially when showing statistics. 

2. Statistical Infographics
A statistical infographic presents data visually using pie charts, bar graphs, and other graphics. This makes complex information easier to understand. Adding percentage radials and branded illustrations helps grab attention and keep the audience engaged. 

3. How-to Infographics
A how-to infographic visually explains how to complete a task or solve a problem step by step. It’s a clear and engaging alternative to long text, making instructions like hand washing or workplace setup easier to follow and remember. 

4. Timeline Infographics
A timeline infographic is both informative and visually appealing. It’s versatile and can be used for various purposes. To make it engaging, use icons and illustrations along the timeline to highlight key points. 

5. Comparison Infographics
A comparison infographic visually compares different options side by side. It helps readers easily see the differences between concepts and decide which option suits them best. 

6. Map and location Infographics
A map infographic is widely used by companies and organizations to display location-based information. It’s great for sharing demographic data or other geographic insights in a clear and engaging way. 

7. Flowchart Infographics
A flowchart infographic visually maps out a process step by step. It boosts engagement by guiding users through each action clearly and personally, making it easier to understand and follow. 

8. Process description Infographics
A process description infographic visually explains the key steps and actions in a process. It’s useful for simplifying complex information by highlighting important steps and grouping them into clear categories.

L.A.T.C.H Theory
Organizing information meaningfully and effectively, is still one of the biggest problems faced by a UX designer.

L - Location
This technique is called spatial organization, where information is arranged based on its location. It helps create a clear, structured flow by giving the content a visual order.

A - Alphabet
Organizing content alphabetically is one of the simplest ways to group information since alphabets are universally recognized. However, it's important to use labels that align with the user’s understanding for better clarity and usability.

T - Time
This scheme is called chronological organization, where information is arranged based on time. It’s especially effective on social media platforms, as users often want to see the latest updates or events in their contacts' lives.

C - Category
This technique is called categorical organization, where content is grouped into meaningful categories based on the website's purpose or the audience's needs. It’s crucial to define categories that are intuitive to users. Tools like Card Sorting can help design relevant and user-friendly categories.

H - Hierarchy
Hierarchy refers to organizing information based on a specific order, such as size, cost (low to high or high to low), popularity, or other criteria. This helps users easily navigate content by prioritizing what’s most important or relevant to them. 

Miller’s Law of Memory (The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two)
- Communication can be confusing due to interruptions and misunderstandings.
- Our short-term memory can only hold about 7 items (give or take 2) at once.
- We usually forget this information within 30 seconds unless it's repeated or grouped.

The Paradox of Choice
- Too many options can overwhelm us and make decision-making harder.
- Our brain can only process a limited amount of information at a time.

The Art of Simplifying Information
- Breaking information into smaller chunks helps people remember it better.
- Grouping related ideas makes it easier to understand and recall information.

I use this miller's law when creating a password. I always remember my password if its less then 7 numbers or even less then 7 letters, but if its more than it, I forgets my password easily.

Manuel Lima’s 9 Directives Manifesto

These principles help differentiate information visualization from infographics or information art.
Manuel Lima’s 9 Directives : 

Form Follows Function – The goal is to explain and provide insight rather than just look appealing.
Interactivity is Key – Users should be able to explore and learn through interaction.
Cite Your Source – Always disclose where your data comes from.
The Power of Narrative – Storytelling makes information more engaging and memorable.
Do Not Glorify Aesthetics – Visual appeal should be a result, not a goal.
Look for Relevancy – Ask why the information is being visualized.
Embrace Time – Time management is crucial for organizing and improving decision-making.
Aspire for Knowledge – Visualization should translate data into knowledge and enhance understanding.
Avoid Gratuitous Visualizations – Visuals should filter information and provide insights, not create noise. 

Constructive Workflow

The constructive workflow starts with the way you think.
To make your work more productive, it is important to synchronize your workflow and construct how your brain works. Once you understand how the computer language works, your ideas become digitally more generative.

Tips 1 : Understand the question

Tips 2 : Construct a constructive plan; 

    Evaluate data & information.
    Identify pros and cons.
    Create a content creation plan.
    Understand your outcome.
    Build case studies.

Tips 3 : Fill in the blank;

    Create empty folders as a structure.
    Fill in each folders with a progress.
    Synchronize all working files for each software requirements 

Tips 4 : Get some ideas and inspiration

Tips 5 : Set a perimeter

    Ideas are limitless.
    Time is a constraint.
    Identify your strengths.
    Reference is just a benchmark.
    Solution is the answer

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INSTRUCTIONS

Exercise 1 - Quantify and Visualize Data

For this exercise we are to quantify our chosen items and arrange the objects into a presentable layout or chart. I have two choices for the items, which are paperclip and m&m chocolate. Since I need a large amount of items, I decided to go with the m&m chocolate. 

This is how it looks like before I sort it : 

fig 1.1 Mixed chocolate

Then, I group it by its color : 

fig 1.2 Grouped chocolate

After that, I try to arrange it, this is my first attempt. In this first attempt, I try to shape it as a flower, with each color also symbolize a flower. I find this attempt is not really interesting because I didn't use all of the m&m and it felt so small.

fig 1.3 Flower shaped attempt 1

fig 1.4 Flower shaped attempt 2

Next, for the second attempt, I attempt to make a triangle because I think it is more interesting due to the different shape between the m&m and the overall shape. I kinda like this idea, but I find it is still not really outstanding.

fig 1.5 Triangle shaped

Next, I also try to make a chocolate bar shape with the m&m, I think this make such an interesting one because I get to show what actually is my object. But on this attempt, I found it was too small, then I make a larger one, I also try to add the information text.

fig 1.6 Chocolate bar attempt 1

fig 1.6 Chocolate bar attempt 2

fig 1.6 Chocolate bar attempt 3 with text

For my last attempt, I decide to go with the triangle idea, but make it into a diamond shape. After doing it, I try to put down the information and I think this idea is the best among others. 

fig 1.7 Diamond shaped

Then, I moved the chocolate to the middle and add information to it. Here is the result : 

fig 1.8 Final attempt

Exercise 2 - L.A.T.C.H Infographic Poster

In this exercise, we are to organize a group of information into a visual poster that combines and utilizes the LATCH principles. We are required to use the digital photo editing/illustration software available to assemble the information into a LATCH infographic poster.

First, I came out with a few topic that I might use to do this exercise. These topics includes music genre all over the world, music evolution and festivals around the world. After looking into these three topics closer, I decided to continue with festivals around the world because it includes 4 of the LATCH, which are location (where is it celebrated), time (when is it celebrated), categories (seasonal, music, and cultural), and alphabet (I make it in order).

Then, after finalizing my topic, I try to research these festival and determine which festivals I wanted to write in my poster, finding when it is celebrated, and short description of these festivals. Here is what my research looks like : 

After researching, I do some visual references. Here are my references:

fig 2.1 References

Then, I try to sketch out how my design will look like. I sketch out 2 design. The first design is circle version where I arrange the festivals in alphabetical orders, doing it with different circles according to their each categories. While the second sketch is simpler where I just use a square with different color according to the categories. Here is how the sketch look like: 

fig 2.2 Sketch

I decided to use the first sketch (circle version) because I think this one have more interesting visual, here are my first draft: 

fig 2.3 Layout attempt 1

I realize that this is not what I wanted, I do think that this shapes looks like its going to be a mess, I then think and revised my poster, still using the circle shapes and make the layout looks like this: 

fig 2.4 Layout attempt 2

fig 2.5 Layout attempt 3

I do think this layout looks cleaner. Then, moving on, I find a color palette that suits this festivals poster, and I decide to use this color palette: 

fig 2.6 Color Palette

fig 2.7 Coloring the circles

After that, I continue doing what's going to be inside the circle. I put down the name of the festivals inside the circle, and their time being celebrated. I also put emojis of the location and emoji representing the festival itself. Here is the result : 

fig 2.8 Information attempt 1

Then, I try to add picture of the festival inside the circle and it turns out great. I continue doing all of the festivals circle : 

fig 2.9 Information attempt 2

Lastly, I add all of the finished circle in the poster : 

fig 2.10 Poster attempt 1

Finishing off, I add title and information of the circle's color.

fig 2.11 Poster attempt 2

After feedback from Mr. Shamsul, I revised my poster again. I added background and change the title of the poster.

fig 2.12 Poster attempt 3

Then, I add some elements into the festivals.

fig 2.13 Poster attempt 4

After that, Mr.Shamsul also suggests me to change the shape to circle, and not to make the circles very neat because this is a festival poster, so I revised my poster again.

fig 2.14 Poster attempt 4

SUBMISSION

L : Location (below the festivals name)

A : Alphabet (festivals are in order)

T : Time (below the festivals information)

C : Category (Cultural, Music, Seasonal)

fig 2.15 Final Poster

fig 2.16 Final Poster (Pdf)

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FEEDBACK

Week 3

For my exercise 2, Mr.Shamsul suggests that my title need to be more interesting, not only one line. Then, for the festivals, he said I need to add more elements to showcase what festivals it is. Then, I also need to add the background. He said that the poster is not as "festive" as it should be.

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REFLECTION

After doing these two exercises, now I know how infographics poster are not easy to make. We need to make sure that all of the information in the poster are easy to read, understandable, but we also cannot make it too boring. All aspect from the poster needs to reflect what information is going to be informed.