Define design.

In my second meeting with Dwayne, we talked a lot about defining the words I am using to propose my project. The meaning of these words are assumed by me and you, the Art Prof, the GSI, the Student, but to viewers outside of our profession these words may not hold the same meaning. By defining the words by using two highly accepted and trusted dictionaries, the Oxford English Dictionary and Webster's English Dictionary, I am calling higher powers into play. I like this idea for many obvious reasons, but also because people will not be arguing with me about definitions. They will be arguing with the dictionary.

In order to re-frame and refine my project abstract, I must first define the words I am using. Without them I can't identify and categorize anything.

The use of the word spectrum to describe this scale I am using is incorrect and should be changed to continuum. A continuum is a continuous sequence in which adjacent elements are not perceptibly different from each other, but the extremes are quite distinct. This more accurately portrays how I think about utilitarian focused design and aesthetic focused design.

I also need to clearly define the two opposite notions, utilitarian functionality and aesthetic beauty. I must also realize that beauty is not always disconnected from function. However, this type of design that does incorporate aesthetic elements and functionality does not belong on any extreme side of the continuum.

What is the point when a beautiful information graphic loses its functionality completely? The purpose of the design has to be stated. When a graphic that loses function then it becomes bad design if the purpose is to display graphic information. Which raises the comparison between Ugly/Beauty and Good Design/Bad Design.

To help solve this categorization problem, examples need to be given to help identify and define the aspects of the continuum. Instructive images must be saved to show how I view these categories. I also need to keep in mind that when I look at images on the web or in books I am viewing them out of context. This changes a lot of factors and needs to be acknowledged.

Form and content are usually viewed as two different things for discussion sake, but there is a dichotomy here. Both form and content play significant roles in what the other is.

I have a different goal from a lot of people. When I design something I am successful if the viewer accurately reads what I am trying to communicate. There really is no ambiguity in that statement. In this way my focus and goals are different from say a painter, mixed media artist, or even a sculptor. The subject matter of my posters is important because the subject can dictate the form the graphic takes. There is a reason why pie charts and bar graphs are used to portray information. Sometimes it is because people find there are no other options, but sometimes it is out of necessity. However, there is always room to ask if it is the best way to portray information. Michael made a point to me by saying a stop sign is visualized the way it is because of the subject, and because of our cultural influences it is shaped and color cues to STOP! I realized this and will be making a range of subjects that interest me and pick from those. But, in the way that I am basing my project the subject matter of my posters is secondary, as in it is subject to change and can be changed while the overall "subject" and exploration of my project will remain the same. It is not unimportant. I hope there is no confusion by what I am saying.

Objects of design have the primary function of communicating. I need to remember this... it will influence heavily how I word my categorizations.

Doug also commented on my quick write up. Michael and Doug both hinted to the same thing. I will repeat the question I asked at the end of my write up:

If I fluctuated the importance of utilitarian functionality or beauty in my posters yet keeping information design the main purpose, how does it effect a viewer's perception of my poster and the amount of information they absorb from it?

Doug commented back to me saying that this had an obvious answer. Michael also said that I needed to pursue harder questions. I would ask Doug to remember a time where this wasn't an obvious question. How long did it take to realize that this had an obvious answer? Dwayne and I talked about how to an average person, who had no education in art, this question could stump them. This question is essentially the basis of my project. I agree though, there are harder and more detailed questions I can ask. Doug listed a few questions that I think are absolutely interesting and worth answering in the process of my project:
Does decoration (or nonfunctional additions to the design) add clarity or obscure it? If it obscures it, then what value does it bring?  How do you know what it brings and to what degree?
For right now, I would like to add that an ugly design does not invite a viewer and the clever use of decoration or embellishments can please a viewer's aesthetics and invite them to read the information. Then again, poorly crafted designs that over uses decorations can do the opposite and repel a viewer.

Doug also suggested I go about my research in a quasi scientific manner. He suggested I contact a B-School professor to learn more about focus groups. Dwayne and I talked and agree that this is also a very interesting path my project could and should take, but that with time restraints seems unattainable I need to focus on the central information in a realistic time span. To backup the things I am saying, instead of using surveys, I should use trusted references and examples of my ideas. This is a more time efficient method.

Almost done, promise. I think I can't ask too many questions that result in a subject answer. Or answer questions if they only lead to more questions. Those questions are impossible to answer, especially for little undergraduate me.

I have a lot to think about, and a lot to do. This has really helped me focus even more of my thoughts. My second iteration of my project idea/abstract/proposal will hopefully be even more specific.

Last but not least, my to do list:
REFRAME
IDENTIFY

Remember the last post?

Here is my third iteration of this "lecture series" assignment.

Personally...

Here are two examples of my work...
Here are two examples of my comfort zone...
Here are two examples of looking back and thinking, I could've done better...

I started with this

 and moved to this

Abstract/Concept

My project is an exploration of how the weight of functionality or beauty control a viewer's perception of information. Information design is hard to define as all successful graphic design communicates some sort of information, but to try and narrow it down, I tend to define information design as translating complex information graphically so people can clearly and efficiently understand that information.

There are popularized and familiar forms of information graphics. We have all learned how to create pie charts and simple bar graphs in elementary school math classes, and now we can easily make them on our computers. Are the graphs and charts yielded from these methods considered information design? To me, these kind of graphics create one end of the information design spectrum, a very practical and utilitarian rendering style where the weight of the design focuses on functionality and practicality.

Then, there are designers who push the boundaries of readability and functionality in attempts to establish information design as a true art form. They focus their weight on the overall aesthetic quality of a design. This forms the other end of the spectrum.

In between these two is the design that balances functionality and aesthetic beauty. When these two marry together harmoniously, how does the reader perceive it? Do they consider it to be a well designed graphic? I feel here is where information can be absorbed the greatest. 

A viewer may read these two different kinds of designs differently. A utilitarian and functional design would serve its informational purpose and will be easily read as a graph. A design that focuses on beauty could invoke a different read. Maybe, the designer is successful and the graphic loses its function as an information graphic and becomes more of an artist composition.

I want to create informational graphics and design posters to explore both ends of the design rendering spectrum, differing the weight of function and beauty, and the point at which they are balanced. I want to also study how this spectrum changes a viewer's perception of the information and how they read the overall design.

For my project, subject matter becomes secondary. Although subject matter can directly effect how something is visualized, it isn't relevant in regards to how successful a design is in communicating information and it is this communication that is more important.

Now, when I look at the books I have, I can view them on this "spectrum." I, as the viewer, am perceiving each design differently. This is what really interests me.

One question that I would like to explore:
Can the same information portrayed these three different ways change how the viewer reads the design and absorbs the information?

Sourcing Inspiration: Introduction

5 things that inspire me, and why. It is 9:32AM... go!

Social conditions inspire me over my own personal situations. I've always been more interested in what people as a society are doing. Focusing on my own personal situations tend to depress, stress, and worry me... so I often try to avoid what is happening to me. People make up social conditions, culture, and trends. I love studying why something is a trend or how it became that way. Even watching a trend emerge is fun for me. I want to relate this back to web design so bad, so I'm going to. There are a lot of website galleries out there. One in particular that I follow religiously is called CssMania. This website archives CSS based designs. Not only does this become a source of inspiration to me but it also catalogs the trends that arise in web design. You can literally watch as more and more entries consist of the same elements and structure! Even the content of the page is influenced by trends. These trends are created from the social conditions that people as a group make! That's why social conditions, society, is more inspiring than lingering on my own personal situations.

Rest inspires me more than fatigue. This seemed like a ridiculous choice, well for me, because I can't even function if I am fatigued. Nothing is going to happen. Once I tried to stay up for 24hrs and I crashed 23hrs into it. I fell asleep at 10:00AM and did not wake up until 6:00PM, only to eat dinner and fall back asleep. Some people are inspired by the state of delirium or lucidity depending on their body's capability to generate a second "wind" of energy. I also hear that losing 3 days of sleep is... something like being on a drug. Don't quote me, I can't remember... ANYWAYS, yes rest allows my mind to focus and concentrate. It allows my mind to be influenced positively and to take those influences, critically analyze them, and then create my own work.

I like facts. I like facts by definition. Feelings are important to me, but I have a history of letting feelings make me irrational. That sense of not being in control of what I'm saying or doing is really negative... I don't like that... Facts keep me grounded, emotions do not.

Anger doesn't necessarily inspire me, but I have strong feelings against pity. What is pity? To pity someone... to take pity on someone. Anger is strong, anger is truth. You can pity someone and say I feel sorry for them and then not do anything about it, but anger causes a huge reaction. You can try to fight it, but it always effects you. Pity is so much faker. I consider it to be a weak feeling.

I am inspired for others rather than myself for the same reasons as stated before. I find that other people are always more inspiring than myself. I mean, I look at books and websites for inspiration. I let myself be influenced by people I admire. I never read books about myself, or stare at my own website for inspiration. I don't like to feel selfish and for some reason to say I am strongly inspired by myself seems... selfish. :/

Books I am waiting for...

I'm doin' it!

Concept, Technical Skill, Formality

"The great fun of information visualization," he said, "is that it gives you answers to questions you didn't know you had."

I thought this quote was interesting, it is from NYTimes.com: Lines and bubbles and bars, oh my! New ways to sift data.
If anyone is reading this, and you have the time, check out:
http://manyeyes.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes/
This interactive site allows people to create and comment on information visualizations.

Anyways, today I checked out Graphis Diagrams.

If I were to open up this book and use one word to describe how I felt about that page, it would be intimidated. Each designer in this book is just at such a high level of intelligence, I feel I could only mimic their designs for my project...

Anyways... it looks interesting and I am going to enjoy reading it. Also, every Tufte book is checked out from the library. This is a great disappointment.


Alright, down to the real reason I'm posting. Here is a list of questions, thoughts, ideas, and suggestions Doug and I discussed today.

What is the problem that I am trying to fix? Why hasn't it been fixed yet? How can I fix it?

My concept, whatever it is, should not start out too broad or too ambitious. It is always easier to expand on an idea than it is to try and funnel something big into something specific. My concept should be like a mission statement and explain a core idea. This should be explained in such a way that it doesn't leave any questions like, "Know what I'm saying?" I should know what I'm saying and be able to articulate it.

I have a different agenda then some other people and that's ok. The premise of information design is to communicate data that is complex in a way that is easily readable, accessible, and functional.

There is nothing wrong with simplicity.

How much emphasis am I putting on each of these three things: concept, technicality, and formality?


This weekend I have to write an abstract as well as a more specific description of my IP project. I hope that I can commit to something in time to write this. That's my big problem for IP. What can I commit a year of my time to and not get bored with? :/ How can I state my concept, my mission in such a way that it allows me to be flexible?

So many questions that need to be answered. So many books to be read, blogs to be seen... So much brainstorming that needs to happen.

I'm always so grateful to have the ability to meet with Dwayne and Doug. I hope that I can earn their respect by creating an IP project that proves how their time has helped transform me into a better, more educated designer.

IP... it's like I'm ready, but not. haha.
MUST GRIND BRAIN UNTIL SOME KIND OF "CONCEPT" IS POOPED OUT.

Function vs Beauty?

Project: Create an Infographic about CEO Compensation

Information design contest from Good Magazine!
http://www.good.is/post/project-create-an-infographic-about-ceo-compensation/

oh yes Good is good.

Ah yes, design

Yesterday I met with Dwayne Overmyer. Good thing too, my ip section hasn't come down on us to have any solid ideas yet (which is really doing good things for other people), but for me I feel as though I'm just floating along lost in the mouth of a giant river. It is nearing the end of September and I needed to feel like I had some footing.

Early last week??, my GSI Charlie said to me, "Make sure the topic you are designing about is interesting."
Dwayne helped me verbalize what I was thinking... Why does it have to be interesting? Many times information design is visualizing and communicating an idea that is not interesting to some people. What is interesting? Interesting is subjective and differs from each and every person. What I find truly interesting, you may find absolutely boring. As a designer, it is my job to create interest in the design. To seduce the viewer into reading into it more. In my project subject matter is not as high of a priority as execution.

I believe that in my field I need to be able to flawlessly execute designs and codes to satisfy my customer. I need to know that after this year I will have the confidence to do so. My concentration is on my technical skills and ability to communicate complex information into an understandable visual.

Don't get me wrong, concept is very important to me. I need to answer questions. When does visual communication break down? Why does it do so? Great designs can be yielded from boring and dense information, if it causes you to read it, isn't that a success?

My project is an exploration of information and functional ways to portray it. I also am curious about the designs that are aesthetically beautiful yet less readable. I feel like they are exposing the beauty of information design that the art world is ready to accept. (Pictures coming soon)

Anyways...
List of things to do from Dwayne:
Get all of Tufte's books. (of course)
Read Information Design Journal which might actually be named Document Design
Talk to Franc Nunoo-Quarcoo
Write an abstract and then also a more specific description.
Think of questions, try to answer them.

yep.




Hopefully my next post will cover how
there is a beauty in process.

Meeting

Thank god I'm meeting with Dwayne tomorrow. I am kind of floating around and need some kind of guidance.

I think I've pinpointed my IP Project a little more.
Information design to me is about maybe exposing information that people were unaware of in an easily readable, visual way. Also, there is a lot of information out there that is readily accessible but isn't easily understood. Currently there is a heavy saturation of graphics regarding environmental and health issues, which is really connected to the currently debated topics. I don't think find any fault in this; I just want to expose different information that is more hidden or less popular. I want to do graphs exposing the story of drugs and sex. I am most interested in these two things because not only are they strong human desires, but also they are two very personal topics.
I want to study this way that personal information is displayed in a form that feels impersonal. I think that visualizing drug information will be enriching because there aren't many stereotypical visual elements tied to drugs (outside of marijuana, eg leaves, green) so this leaves the design open ended!

Beautiful

It is.

Thinking IP... thinking like an "ipster"

I should write this down. Ok, so for IP:

I am doing information design.
I am making a series of informational graphics.
I am making a blog specifically for IP brainstorming and showcasing the graphics.
AND
HOPEFULLY
I am remaking my online portfolio so that it can really WOW future employers :/

I don't know what the subject of my designs will be. This is a big problem. I will continue to browse Datablog in hopes to stumble across something that really interests me.

Polling the art school is out of the question. I don't want to have to rely on people for my data, not because I don't believe in them, but because I really don't want to take time away from everyone. I know everyone's already busy.

I am already feeling pressure to do something "social justice-y."

We haven't talked about our projects much in IP. I really have no idea what my professors will think. No one in my group is doing anything digital, but I know they'll all be giving me valuable feedback. Its just, I still feel out of place.

Maybe I'll do graphics about drugs or sex. People like those things.