Graphic Design Breadth Assignment #9

Info-graphic / Data Visualization Design

Areas of focus: Unity, Balance, Variety, Emphasis, Repetition, Figure/ground relationship

Goal: Create an easy to understand design that presents complex information about a topic to the viewer in an organized, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing manner.

Process:

1. Watch this short video on the value of data visualization.
2. Read this short article "What Is an Infographic? We Break It Down".
3. Go to this website to help you think of ideas for your assignment. Brainstorm topics or issues that you feel strongly about. Ask yourself this question: Will other people find this topic interesting too? Make a list.
4. Pick your 3 strongest ideas and scope out the topics online. Can you find relevant information? Are there high quality sources that provide enough legitimate data that you can use in your visual depiction of information? If not, move onto another issue.
5. Choose your final topic.
6. Research your topic. Cite your sources.
7. Create rough sketches of potential infographic layouts. Remember to keep the principles of design in mind.
8. You are encouraged to used traditional techniques in combination with digital media. You can see how Anderson Shimmin, a student that received a score of 6 on his portfolio, used scanned in watercolor textures and drawings within his designs in the above slideshow.
9. Create your final artwork using Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator. Your document setup will depend on your design layout.