Tree of Life
Day 1
Today you will begin a new project on the hierarchy and taxonomy of different life species. You will identify the main difference between life forms, between levels of taxonomy, between general organisms and particular species and differentiate as well as link the relationship between these organisms as you create a database in Apple Pages.
13-research-template.xlsxDay 2
Today you will research the taxonomy of your choices of plant organisms for your tree of life. You will gather and organize information (including species, genus, family, class, phylum and kingdom) and categorize your species into the database that you created in Apple Numbers. Your list of species must be different from the example below.
Researching Plants
For plants, you have to use the USDA plants Database:
http://plants.usda.gov/classification.html
- In the search, switch the option to "Common Name" and type the generic name of a tree that you know.
- When the search returns options, click on one of the many species. You have to find specific species. So not “Cactus,” but “Cochineal Nopal Cactus.” See example.
- Copy the taxonomy categories into your database. Ignore Subclass, Superdivision and Subkingdom.
Your database should be completed like this but with your own species. You cannot use any of the species shown here.
Day 3
Today you will research the taxonomy of your choices of animal and insect organisms for your tree of life. You will gather and organize information (including species, genus, family, order, class, division and kingdom) and categorize your species into the database that you created in Apple Numbers. Your list of species must be different from the example below.
Researching Animals & Fungi
For fungi animals and insects, you have to use Wikipedia
- Google something like "frog species"
- Select an interesting species from the list of that shows up and click on it.
- Scroll down and go to the to the Wikipedia article of that species to identify the taxonomy. See the example below:
Your database should be completed like this but with your own species. You cannot use any of the species shown here.
Day 4
Today you will apply the advanced techniques (duplication, masking, and alignment shortcuts) you learned last Wednesday to efficiently develop a template for your tree of life. You will focus on a single branch: that of a human. You will structure the path from LIFE, to domain, kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, in Genus and Species, in a graphical way that clearly displays the taxonomy of Homo Sapiens. You will apply this basic visual metaphor in the rest of the project in the days to come.
1. In Adobe Illustrator, create a new page 20in by 20 in.
2. We will start with the base of your tree. Begin by creating a triangle with your polygon tool. Label this triangle “Life”
3. From that triangle, create 3 rectangles and label each Bacteria (Domain), Eukaryote (Domain), Archaea (Domain).
4. From the middle (Eukaryote) rectangle, draw 3 pentagons and label them Plantae Kingdom, Fungi Kingdom, Animalia Kingdom. These are the three kingdoms. Draw the other two pentagons coming from the other two rectangles as shown.
5. You will now track the branch for Homo Sapiens, or humans. For each level, create a poligon with one more side and label the branch as shown until your reach the Species Level.
Day 5
Today you will begin to integrate the information of your database and build up the structure your tree of life in Adobe Illustrator. The goal for today is to accurately translate the information of your animal species into a graphical representation of a tree. You will continually need to evaluate, edit and reconstruct your graphic in order to keep it clear and leave space for the rest of the data.
6. We will now turn our attention to the outer branches of the tree. You will select one species for each branch as listed. You have to consider this with a little care, as you will have to trace the species back to the first level using it’s taxonomical rank.
7. Depending on the species you choose, your tree will look different from mine, so don’t assume the way the branches are connected in the example will be the same for you. As you find a species you want to focus on, download their picture and place it inside the circle by using a Shape Mask. Then work your way bakc through the taxonomy levels.
Day 6
Today you will continue to integrate the information of your database and build up the structure your tree of life in Adobe Illustrator. The goal for today is to accurately translate the information of your plant species into a graphical representation of a tree. You will continually need to evaluate, edit and reconstruct your graphic in order to keep it clear as you incorporate new information into your tree.
Day 7
The goal for today is to accurately translate the information of your remaining species. I will be checking in with you individually as we both assess and you justify your design and organizational choices. You will refine your infographic and solving design problems that arise with increasingly complex elements and information. You must modify your work making sure that you apply the principles of design, including typography, color theory, and balance.
When creating your lines, use only vertical, horizontal and 45 degree lines. You can insure this by pressing and holding shift as you create your lines.
How to Make a Clipping Mask:
1. Drag your image into Adobe Illustrator into an area that is clear.
2. Make a perfect circle over your image that is smaller than your image. It can be any color.
3. Finally select BOTH your circle and your image with your Selection Tool and got to Object > Clipping Mask > Make.
You can also press Command+7
4. Illustrator will create a perfect mask: A circle with your image inside.
Day 8
You will finalize your tree of life/organism taxonomy infographic cell. You will integrate the different elements you have created in the last weeks into a single, easy to understand, clearly labeled and original taxonomy infographic. After my final feedback, you will publish your infographic to be viewed online making sure that in your final product you apply the principles of design and that you meet the requirements of the rubric, including clarity, technique, composition, and originality.
Congratulations, you just created a tree of life. Save often. Once you are done, export your image as a .jpg with the appropriate name in the right folder.
