Communication Technology Evaluation

Trying to answer this brief ‘head on’ was really difficult because it is all about finding out what you don’t know. The easiest way to do this was just by experimenting and seeing what problems arose. From just collecting work that I like and found inspiring, it took me onto a subject that I knew little about. Informational graphics was something I always appreciated but have never had the confidence to do. From understanding and collecting plenty of good examples, I was making connections with the brief, and also the creative industry, and my possible place within that.

Information graphics has a maturity about it which I really wanted to obtain in my work. I looked closely at the way that the designs used grids, and layout techniques. I extended my understanding of typography and where the right type should fit within the design.

As the brief progressed I kept finding lots of inspiring designs that lead me off in different directions. These directions were not just information graphics but general things that caught my eye. By doing this routinely I feel that I have progressed as a designer but not necessarily in the ways that I thought.

At the beginning of the brief I had the option to sign up for lots of different tutorial classes such as Letter press, screen printing, and anything else that I wanted to learn more about, as well as a whole host of software tutorials, which I took full advantage of. I already knew a lot about Photoshop but learnt a lot from the Illustrator and Indesign for print, as these were the programs where I wanted to extend my knowledge. I also had an idea for a TV ident such as the ones on e4. Through research and trailing through production names I found out who was the designer behind the latest e4 branding/idents. I contacted Noah Harris and had a conversation through emails with him regarding his work and how he went about it. I found out that I would need to learn programs such as After Effects and a few 3d programs. I also attended the After Effects tutorials, which I thought I would find really hard and complicated but I actually really enjoyed it and understood. I managed to touch on the slightly complex side of the program which was a surprise to me. I consider this as a future project and I think I will need a longer amount of time to achieve a suitable standard.

I also got hold of some competition briefs such as D&AD and ISTD which I was hoping would give me some inspiration for this communication technology brief. The briefs inspired me but didn’t really give me much direction. Over the course of this project I have experimented with typography and pushed the boundaries. For a large part of the brief I was exploring different type and making my own typeface. (As seen in folder).

This typeface was inspired by a paperclip. From having conversations with Christian and group critiques, I decided to do a one day project with an objective to come up with a typeface. Obviously at this early stage there are corrections to be made with the end design but it was interesting to see what went on behind making a radical typeface as the one above. There were limitations to what I could do with the paperclip as it wasn’t feasible to bend it in certain ways. This process was achieved by bending the paperclips, and then scanning them into Illustrator where I could manipulate them more. From gaining my interest in typography I looked at learning the theory behind it. I obtained many books on the subject, which really helped me understand the extensive theory. This is possibly grossly underestimated by many people including myself. I think my appreciation and interest in typography will follow me through the rest of my course at Leeds and into the graphics industry, as I think it’s so valuable. (theory of typography and type related subjects can be found on my blog)

I attended a letterpress tutorial which was very exciting, as I have used type before but never really appreciated how this was achieved before computers were introduced. Now that I know, I think about type in a very different way. It’s sad in a way that people move towards a computer so quickly and its something I would like to look at in more detail, and maybe give myself a project to do entirely without a computer. I think this would give me valuable skills, and also teach me not to rely on the computer so much.

(letter press work and comments can be found on my blog)

We visited a professional printers in Leeds called ‘Team Impressions’ which was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I learnt a lot from seeing how things were developed from receiving the file from the designer to finished high quality prints and the many methods of printing such as lithograph and digital prints as well as large format and foiling/gloss.

(Visit to printers ‘Team Impression see blog)

I took a while to commit to information graphics as a format for my brief as it was something I have not really had the motivation to do, which turned out to be the reason to do it now. My approach to information graphics looking back was not correct in the sense that I spent so long looking for data and what was the right data, that I missed the obvious point of actually just making my own data, for example how many foot steps it takes to get to college, something as simple as that. What I have already learned in graphic design still applies, that ‘simple is best’. Which is obvious really, as information graphics is about making things simple to understand but also making it look good at the same time. (refer to blog ‘what is information graphics and Information graphics). In the end I referred to statistics from the internet which gave me the data I wanted but ultimately that over complicated the whole thing.

The data I chose to display is from a spreadsheet with information in numeric form from data collected over a period of a year, on ten different British airports. The data is a record of the amount of time that aircraft is delayed in taking off under six headings i.e up to 15 mins late, 30, 60, 180 and up to 360 mins late. As well as this there is data on the average of the times they are late and the numbers of scheduled or chartered flights.

I chose this data as it was in numerical form which presented a challenge to me, to be able to work through this task and display it in a graphic way so that it is both informative and interesting. By converting the numbers into a graphic form the information contained in the table quickly became much clearer.

It was useful to take the raw data and group it into manageable chunks of information and then consider how best to display this so that the person viewing the chart would be able to learn something.

The challenges were to make the chart interesting enough to be eye-catching in the first instance and draw the person to continue to view the chart and hopefully come away having understood new facts. Also I learned that it is necessary to make it easy enough for the viewer to follow the information and to draw conclusions from the graphics without it being too simple.

I wanted to be able to show graphically how often the aircraft are late over the different timescales. Also I wanted to show the correlation between the size of the airports and whether these are more often late. I decided that by presenting the graphs in a concentrated form the viewer would perceive the ‘trend’ shown by the impact of the different patterns.

I found it quite difficult to restrain my desire for more ‘creative’ graphic design and the need to concentrate on the more formal representation. Also I learned that in information graphics it is difficult to portray ‘detailed’ information but that an ‘impression’ is easier to convey. I understand that information graphics can be a powerful tool for conveying facts in a more serious way.

This module/brief has been a rocky road for me as it has questioned my place in graphic design and maybe even my place in the creative industry. This has sort of helped with answering the brief but left me feeling quite uneasy. I feel that I need to change my approach to design, I think this could be ‘easier said then done’ as its something that I have been used to for many years of education. I mainly think this because graphic design to me is primarily more about making things look artistic rather than just functional, This, perhaps, could limit my services somewhat and also makes me a less accomplished designer.

In a way this module has been very useful or shall I say ‘made me see the light’ or maybe even a ‘wake up call’. I have never underestimated design and the industry, I’m fully aware that it is a huge and highly competitive industry but the approach to a brief is everything and ultimately makes for a good outcome.

Coming from a foundation course I have been heavily involved in illustration and probably some of my best work has been in this area. This makes me think that this maybe something to follow up and progress with. I’ve always thought it was best to be a ‘jack of all trades’ but obviously some briefs suit certain designers better than others.

This is my first module since starting this course and obviously the way I work will differ from other people, but this module has taught me to play to my strengths, but maybe when I’m more experienced as a designer, I maybe able to take on an information brief.

That being said I have surprised myself with what I’ve learnt, for example I now use my blog in a much more useful and thorough way - sort of as an online diary of all things creative. I have also made good use of all the college’s facilities and know exactly what I will need to use for future projects and briefs. I would like to make collaborations with other designers and practitioners in creative fields as I feel that working with other people seems to have good outcomes as well as bouncing around ideas. I also feel that I didn’t get chance to explore certain areas of interest because I became over focused on the information graphics process. I would have liked to have experienced the printing rooms and maybe even the textiles printing methods.

I believe I have carried out this info graphics brief, as I have ‘processed the data’ but not totally satisfied with the quality of the resultant images. I found my data and formatted it on a computer, ready for print.

This module has been inspiring and a insight into a part of graphic design that I really appreciate but maybe doesn’t suit me as a designer as well as other areas that I have experience in. This was a situation to operate outside ‘my comfort zone’ and to try something that I was unfamiliar with, and from this I have learned a great deal.

Information Graphics

More Info Graphics examples. These are probably the best ones I've come across in my opinion. They all hold really rich information, interpreted in a really interesting and visually attractive way. But from getting up close to the designs I have tried to understand the info behind and some of them are not very easy to understand.

What is information Graphics?

'Visual metaphors are a powerful aid to human thinking. From Sanskrit through hieroglyphics to the modern alphabet, we have used ciphers, objects, and illustrations to share meaning with other people, thus enabling collective and collaborative thought. As our experience of the world has become more complex and nuanced, the demands to our thinking aids have increased proportionally. Diagrams, data graphics, and visual confections have become the language we resort to in this abstract and complex world. They help us understand, create, and completely experience reality.'

As more and more aspects of our lives become connected in the webbed environment of urban landscapes, the information that we generates and consume collects into massive databases. As Daniel and Joris from Catalogtree put it, 'By just going about our daily routines, we become part of a large and unseen ornament'. But this ornament is unformed and mutable, subject to the imagination and intent of the data designer. By giving shape to data, we not only provide access and insight to the hidden patterns of meaning it could reveal; we also give shape to the potential for creative collaboration between individuals. We live in a world where every idea has been thought of before, and it becomes too easy simply to use the Microsoft template for presenting our data. The visual form we adopt becomes driven by the tool or the topic we are presenting, rather than the usefulness of the data or the insight it gives us. 'This is business data, so it must be a bar chart' may be an easy way to approach the subject of presenting information, but it is a far less satisfying and provocative route for the designer of human thinking and intent.

The visual form we adopt becomes driven by the tool or the topic we are presenting.

Patterns of Intent - Design has been described as 'patterns with intent'. The information designers shapes an experience, or view, of the data with a particular aim in mind. To clarify, confuse, inspire, redress, and connect - all of these are legitimate intents for design, towards which the chosen visual presentation can be directed. A pinpoint in space spreads out to become a sphere of meaning. A structure space is manoeuvred to reveal connection, energy, hierarchy, and context. As multiple data points spread out to occupy coordinates in a matrix, we see a network of contextual values that derive sense from their relationship with each other. We travel through semiotic and scientific landscapes that communicate through colour, shape, patterns, and emotion.

The information designer shapes an experience, or view, of the data with a particular aim in mind.

-Data Flow

Interesting Publications

These are publications from university's when I went to 'new blood'. Was interesting to see how the different universities showed off there work. This is simple layout and typography but even the simple things get done wrong. I think its important that students get to design the university booklets because then you see what the standard of work is rather than the tutors standard of work. Much more worth while.

Letterpress Work

This was my first introduction to letterpress, I had seen the metal letters before, but never new the process that you have to go through to get ink on paper. The image at the top was a quote that I picked to use as content for the letterpress.

Letterpress is a really lovely technique but you can see why its being overthrown by the computer. But to be honest I want to use this technique as much as possible while its still around. But with the time it takes to set up your type correctly, fit it into the letterpress and make a successful print you could have done 200 prints on the computer. Time is money I guess.

Lovely Graphic Design

I love this!

Interesting Fonts

Something about these fonts stood out for me, can't say exactly but find them very inspiring. Very simple but very effective. I think I seem to over complicate my type, which is not that useful for a practicing graphic designer as generally we are trying to make it simple for people.

I use to think there was a massive database of fonts that people just downloaded and used, but looking at designers work and reading about there process of design, it's shown me that they make alot of there fonts themselves.

Amazing Typography

These are examples of really inspiring graphics and use of typography. They are all very modern, but still have the maturity of older more authentic fonts. These images are also taken from the book 'Type-One' which is really useful because it gives a little paragraph saying what the brief was and the solution they came up with. They also mention the idea behind the type, which I find interesting because they may be able to show me what steps to take in the future when making a typeface.

What stands out to me is the way that they refer to graphic design as a problem and that you have to come up with a solution. I've heard it being describe like this before but never really understood the comparison. Looking at briefs in the simple form, I suppose it makes sense. Need to do more briefs to have a better opinion on it.

In regards to the typefaces they all seem to have a really good flow to them, were as typefaces I'v made in the past have sometimes been to blocky and heavy, which makes people read it uncomfortably. Im going to make another typeface using the things I'v learn from these examples.

Typography Theory

These are really useful, simple to understand diagrams to see the important aspects of type, and the rules and guide lines in which to produce good typography. I new the basic rules of good type layout but always forgot what the different parts of letters were called, which is really important if you are going to take it seriously.

Also in these diagrams they highlight the sections they talk about which again makes the whole thing really easy to understand.

Books used : Type-One - Discipline and progress in typography.

Photos of Type

As my interest in typography grows I can't seem to see anything other than type, which is why I took this picture. I had seen these boards before and wished I had my camera with me. So finally got my picture. The dark shadow in it kinda annoys me but I'm no photographer so can't expect to much. There are ten boards which I took individual photos of so that I could blend them into a panoramic shot (I think thats what its called). There's nothing really that special about the type itself but I just like the fact, that its locational and raw.

More Information Graphics

Like the way they have joined lines up to the appropriate information and again used big and small type. Also they have used one of the bits of information as a main article to catch peoples eyes. It may not be as noticable as say magazine articles but there is a clever grid made up from the information which gives it all a sort of order and balance. Very subtle but interesting work.

Layout, Grids, and Type

Came across some more information graphics and a few other things. Im really interested with dividers and grid sections, I'm not a particularly organized person but when it comes to visual communication and graphics there needs to be some order. I'm going to research it more but i've noticed there's a few tricks of the trade to section different bits of information, obviously its even more important in info graphics. Also these designs may have not been as aesthetically pleasing on screen but when printed onto this lovely paper its makes it really visually exciting.

Block Type

This is a type I have come across alot recently, used by the likes of 'Build' and 'Non-Format. Based on square, then taking off the very minimum from the square to represent the letter. The layout always looks very clean cut and edgy because the type is so user friendly and grid orientated. It stands out dramatically with the background being so dark and the type being so bold.

Posters Made up of stars

Amazingly initiative, one of those designs that you think 'I wish I had done it'. They also work really well in series. Its only till you get right up close to the design that you see how much time and effect was put into it, with all the little stars and then stars within stars.

Its only since the introduction of the computers that design can elaborate with such designs make up posters in this way. The speed in which design is made is beginning to worry me.

Information Graphics

Information graphics has something that i've become increasingly interested in. I think it has a very miture quality to it and has a basis to it that is deeper than the aesthetics of it. I really enjoy the grids and big and small scales of type. Also appreciate where they have chosen to use lines to section different bits of information. You have to appreciate that usually information like this is produced in word or powerpoint and is incredibly hard to find interesting and in-gauge with.

Information graphics has a huge amount of applications for use, and obviously is a useful tool. Information graphics will also teach me to handle and structure large amounts of data which is useful to implement with just simple design task such as book layout and posters.

Type Treatments (Non Format

Always interested in different type faces and different techniques in making modern and eye catching typography. Most of these examples are from the design studio Non-Format. I really like the difference between big and small type, I think this is half the battle to get two fonts one in a large type size and one as a smaller body type. Non Format achieve this very well. I also like the layout and the different grids used, I enjoy chaos in some design but I also think its good to have a certain amount of rules that you abide by in design.

Vinyl Junkies

Simple image + Simple text layout = Good design.

This piece of work was produce by Noah Harris, some of his old designs before he got into TV. Just shows the man can do it all. The term Graphic designer is so wide now, just like music with its many different genres, graphic design is basically under Visual Communication. I could just go down one avenue in design but then I would only be able visually communicate in one way, and this may limit me in the industry as I am beginning to see. Hopefully I will be more useful to clients if I visually communicate in many different ways.

Meat Magazine

Had a little look at a issue of Meat Magazine was quite impressed with the style, layout and paper choice. The whole magazine is styled with little to no colour but obviously that was the image they wanted to show readers. Also I quite liked the fonts used especially in the size and boldness, gives impact and also makes all the information look like illustrations. In the back of the book (in slideshow above) there is a page that says what fonts they used, which I think is really useful for practicing designers.

Screen Printing Process

Screen printing - how does it work?

A screen is created for every colour of each print so an image is first separated into its individual colour elements (usually using Photoshop). Once separated, each colour element of the design is changed to black and printed out onto separate sheets of film at actual print size.

Each screen comprises mesh stretched over a wooden or aluminium frame. The mesh is coated with a UV-sensitive emulsion and left overnight in the dark to dry.

The acetate is then taped to the front of a screen and the screen placed face-down onto a UV light box. The screen is then exposed to UV light for a short time. Where the UV hits the screen, the emulsion changes its composition and crosslinks it together. Where the design on the acetate prevents the UV light from reaching the emulsion on the screen it does not crosslink. After exposure the screen is washed and the non-exposed emulsion washes away, leaving a stencil of the design behind.

The screens are attached to the arms of our printing carousel and garments are attached to the platen boards underneath. A multicolour design requires multiple screens (one for each colour) but, after careful registration, the different colour prints from these screens should fit together perfectly to reproduce the original design.

A squeegee is then used to press ink through the mesh stencil onto the fabric. Prior to printing and after each colour the T-shirt must be heated under a heater to permanently dry or cure the ink to the fabric.

Off cuts from Team-Impression

As we were walking around the Team-Impressions building I saw a few pieces of work that I liked so we were able to take them away. One of the piece of work was printed onto some really nice paper which I can use as a example when I go to print something. The guy at Team was saying how they did this experimental process to this design and that it was something they were able to do, apparently the client didn't go for it in the end but its always good to try new things.