Photosynthesis

The task with have been set to produce a diagram on a chosen area which was picked out of a bag, mine was: From sunshine to Sugar - the process of photosynthesis. So I have decided to research deeper into this to help me produce a clear diagram.

They use sunlight and the green in their leaves to make sugars from carbon dioxide, which they breathe in through their leaves during the day. This sugar is then used to give the plant energy so that it can grow. This process is called photosynthesis and is the most important process on the planet, as many other plants and animals depend on plants to survive. Most of the energy is used to make new plant material, although some of it is stored by the plant for use during the months when there is less sunlight.

There are a few examples of diagrams:





These are two quick examples of how diagrams can differ and I will be developing these type of diagrams further during the week.

Thoughts on collected diagrams

1. Is this a good chart/diagram/map etc – if so ‘why’?
2. What sort of graphic styles have been used – why is this?
3. Has colour been used – if so then is it appropriate?
4. What type of presentation is used i.e. seduction, or maybe suggestive etc?
5. Clarity – is the chart or diagram clear, could it be improved?
6. Who’s the target audience?
7. Do you think it could be improved – if so then ‘how

First Diagram: 

1. Yes, its eye catching and easy to read, also the use of "!" mark makes it seem important.

2. Grid layout, this has been used as it's simple and easy to read, the spacing between the boxes also give this signage more clarity.

3. Yes, red and blue. Red meaning danger and the blue is recognizable throughout most signage like this. 

4. It’s an instructive and informative diagram.

5. Yes because of the spacing between the boxes and I feel the typography which has been used works well on the coloured backgrounds.

6. Applies to everyone, students, staff and visitors. 

7. Yes, I feel blue is too mellow for a type of signage like this, however I'm aware that blue is a widely recognized colour for informative diagrams such as this. 

Second Diagram:

1. No, as the dates aren't clear and the background text looks crammed.

2. Chart as the information flows across the page. 

3. The colours which have been used relate to theme  they are trying to portray. 

4. It’s persuasive, informational and promotional.

5. I don't feel its clear because of all the amount of text which has been crammed on. You would have to look twice to read all of the information. 

6. Applies to everyone around the university, mainly students. A wide audience which is good.

7. Yes it could be improved. Less crowed, better background, include dates and make dates big and clear.

Third Diagram:

1. Yes the categories are laid out simply, which enables the reader to find what they are looking for quickly and effectively. 

2. Grid layout, to form a time table.

3. Yes blue for pool which relates perfectly and also the white is clear on the blue background. 

4. Informative

5. Very clear. Clear on the days, times and activity. Also term time and non-term time times are put on the same sheet. 

6. Swimmers, learners, families and people with an active lifestyle.

7. No. 

Information Diagrams

Graphs - What they do?

Best suited for : Summarising statistical data
Least suited for : Listing specific data for immediate use
Often used as : Secondary visual elements
Key challenges : Accuracy and integrity, finding information
Key techniques : Visual data metaphors
Temptation to avoid : Failing to focus on a single main point

Probably the best statistical graphic ever drawn, this map by Charles Joseph Minard portrays the losses suffered by Napoleon's army in the Russian campaign of 1812. Beginning at the Polish-Russian border, the thick band shows the size of the army at each position. The path of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in the bitterly cold winter is depicted by the dark lower band, which is tied to temperature and time scales. Exquisitely printed in two colors on fine archival paper, 22” by 15”



Maps - What they do?

Best suited for : Expressing geographic relationships, labelling topics by place
Least suited for : Topics for which location or path insignificant
Often used as : Entry points within text occasionally secondary visual elements
Key challenges : Simplifying information
Key techniques : Visual data metaphors

History of Graphic Information Design

Notes and further research from PowerPoint 

The first signs of graphic information design can be traced back to the 1500 and 1600s, where black and white engravings were produced. This were produced using a printing press which enabled many engravings to be shown to the masses. Oliver Byrne's geometry came about in 1847, he tried to get rid of illustrations of figures and began using colours to graphically represent.

Oliver Byrne's was a civil engineer, and he was worked with mathematics, geometry and engineering. His most famous for this book which is called Euclid's Elements, this was published by Pikering in 1847. It used coloured graphic explanations of each geometric principle. The book itself has become the subject of interest in recent years for its graphic conception and its style.

Maps are a great example of information design, the excellent early examples are Mappa Mundi which can be found in Hereford Cathedral. The mappa mundi is a unique piece of Britain's heritage, it records how 13th century scholars interpreted the world in spiritual as well as geographical terms. Mappa Mundi is drawn on a single sheet of vellum which is calf skin. The geographical material is contained within a circle measuring 52" in diameter and reflects the thinking of the medieval church with Jerusalem at the centre of the world.

This developed throughout the years and this brings me to visual systems such as Harry Beck who designed the London Underground in 1933. This map isn't too scale as it has no need to be because its all underground and the passengers only need to know when the next stop is. Harry Beck based the map on circuit diagrams, which he produced in this day to day job (electrician). He stripped the tube network down to the basics. And because of this he designed a clear and comprehensible chart that became essential guide throughout London and also a template for other countries.

The next area of graphic information design is road signage, which began in 1903. The motor car act had to provide warning signs, which were a combinations of circular and triangular signs. Prior to the 1930's many sign were still confusing until the re design during 1957 & 1967, this was produced by Jock Kinnier and Margaret Calvert. The government entrusted the development of the new system, they devised a rigorous signage system using carefully coordinated lettering, colours, shapes and symbols for Britain's new motorways in the late 1950's and for all the other roads in the 1960's. Their system was efficient and elegant, and it was one of the most ambitious information design projects ever undertaken in Britain. It is a role model for modern road signage in other countries and is still in use today.

Children's educational strip cartoons of the 20th century have educated and informed generations of children. Some of the best examples have been designed by Will Burtin, he was asked to create instructional for young adults in the US. army. His known for traversing several fields of design including information design, magazine design and exhibition design. He had a education in typesetting and he started his own design studio in Germany in 1927. By 1938 he had clients all over Europe, however he was forced to leave because his wife was Jewish. This is when he began designing manuals and instructional pamphlets for the US Army in 1924.

Isotype's came about during the 1930's, and was produced by a Austrian sociologist called Otto Neurath and his wife Marie. Isotype is the international system of typographic picture education, which was a new visual language. They are the essential foundation for our modern visual language dominated by pictograms in everything from bathroom signage to computer interfaces.