Staten Island Zoo

I did my case study in a public area, The Staten Island Zoo. I have been a part of the zoo since I was little. I went to zoo camp when I was in kindergarten up to seventh grade I believe. And than I volunteered with the camp and then became a Junior Docent of the Education Program. I know that zoo like the back of my hand. And to those that don’t know it, it has plenty of information design to get you around. It has an outdoor exhibit, a savannah exhibit, an aquarium, a rainforest exhibit, a petting zoo and much more. They have signs all over the exhibits explaining what they are, and what types of animals reside in the exhibits along with explanations of their habitats and eating habits and fun facts. There are so many signs and information designs around the zoo that it is impossible to know where you are. They also have maps that are very intricate. The Staten Island Zoo’s reptile wing in my opinion is the most informative in the zoo. The renovated exhibit has a skeleton of a snake and inside of a class case has a robotic snake jaw explaining how their jaws work. They have interactive pieces also.

 I think this zoo is a fine piece of information design and all the works that go into it.

Good Food

I have been asked to design a new web based interface that will incorporate tools for interactivity and user interaction. So I decided to do a combined social media network called Good Food. It will combine the social networks of twitter, facebook and instagram. It will be for people around the world to post their own recipes and advice and spread knowledge about food and their creations. You can post your recipes online and comment them and like them like you would on facebook. You can than tweet about your new posts and let people know you updated your page with new good foods, and you can take little video clips and pictures of your food; like steps to make them, the finished product and all of the above. I found a website that has multiple web 2.0 tools that you can use to make the interface more interactive for the user. http://web2012.discoveryeducation.com/web20tools.cfm It has all tools presentation tools, to video to mobile tools. Even community tools. You can use the video tools to post a good food recipe and picture of the week every week. The presentation tools will come in handy for writing down the actual recipe and much more. I would also use Adobe Flash to make the interaction a better experience. I would make part of the website a giant interactive hamburger where you can make your own burger with your own kinds of toppings and you can send it in for competitions throughout the week. I think my interface would be pretty awesome.

More tools: Color

Another tool I strongly feel about it color, or lack there of. Although my blog is black and white, it works for me and who I am. Less is more I have said numerous times throughout this class. But when it really does come to use of color, I like to use it well in my opinion. Again, in a way that works for me.

            There is a lot to know about color, and I have been very interested for a while. I took a couple of color psychology classes in FIT and I loved what I was learning. There is so much to color than meets the eye. Certain colors stand for certain things, and situations. Depending on your color use, you can set the mood for where ever you are, or whatever you are doing. It can get certain points across and give out certain feels. For example, a palette of reds can be warm, or hot. It can set the mood for love, romance, or evil depending on how it is used or what other colors it is used with.

            For website use, you can really get the feel of what kind of website and interaction you will be dealing with, with the certain colors you will use. Also you would have to take font and other tools into consideration, but you can still get an idea. For example, if you have a black and white website or blog, people can get a feeling of sophistication.

            I attached a picture of a piece I did myself in Adobe Illustrator. It is of a man from the 70s, with similar colors of Freddy from Scooby Doo. I like to think the colors I used gives off that certain feel of where this man came from. If I were to change the colors, you would have gotten a similar feel but different at the same time because of my color choice. I chose vibrant colors to draw your eye to him. Hope you all like it!

Tools

When I think of design tool applications, I think of literal applications such as Adobe.  I am not sure if this is the proper thought, maybe I don’t completely understand it but I am just going to go with it. Muse or Dreamweaver are website design applications. Muse, being Adobe Creative Cloud’s newest web app, includes the simplicity and beauty of constructing a website- without the coding. Dreamweaver, as some of us are familiar with does in fact have coding. Me, not being a coder, is starting to teach myself Muse. When starting a new website, it actually has a tool, that helps you map out everything you need; the pages, what goes on the pages, what goes where and all of that good stuff. Now, it may not be seen on my blog, but if I wanted to take this blog further, I can actually put it into Muse, and make a real website of this blog. You can also include other design tool apps such as social media, which will help you promote your blog. (They also have an app for that.) There are so many tool in design that I do get confused on which ones are which and what does what, but that is a tool I will one day incorporate, if not totally redo.

Passini

I chose Romedi Passini’s theory of Sign-Posting Information Design because it closely relates to how I look at information design, it is more aligned with my interests. Taking from what I said in my blog assignment, “from what I have gathered of this theory, there are certain points and things you need to understand. Explained in Information Design (pg 84-96), there is designing information, distinguishing characteristics of information design, knowledge base for information design, research and information design, pitfalls for information design, information design and wayfinding, the concept of wayfinding, what information is needed, where information is needed, the question of form and presentation, from information to information systems, and information design and professional boundaries. It is a lot within this theory but I found all of it the most interesting concept of how to get around and how to look at information design.” All these characteristics and steps of this theory are the most interesting for me. Its almost like giving’s guidelines and steps within guidelines and steps to information design and sign-posting. It goes well with what I like to work with, such as color, little icons here and there, all things I like to use to get my point across. I like to make designs that people want to remember. I would one day like to take this sign-posting theory and make a sign such as the recycling made by Gary Anderson, which is known internationally. Sign-Posting is my favorite, because you can use your imagination and have so many different approaches to communicate with someone.

Better late than never

I picked a particular theory of Information Design and created a post that explicates both the pros and cons of this particular theory.  I then, write a short response that explains how that theory of Information Design could be implemented in the blog environment and demonstrate if I am already using or plan to use that theory in practice on my blog.

I chose Romedi Passini’s theory of Sign-Posting Information Design because it closely relates to how I look at information design. There are a lot of pros and cons in all theories, but I also think it depends on how you look at the theory itself and how open or close-minded you are. You can take theories in many different ways, whether from the literal meaning or find different ways it can be explained from the original meaning. It’s kind of confusing how I think of it but hopefully you’ll understand where I am getting at. From what I have gathered of this theory, there are certain points and things you need to understand. Explained in Information Design (pg 84-96), there is designing information, distinguishing characteristics of information design, knowledge base for information design, research and information design, pitfalls for information design, information design and wayfinding, the concept of wayfinding, what information is needed, where information is needed, the question of form and presentation, from information to information systems, and information design and professional boundaries. It is a lot within this theory but I found all of it the most interesting concept of how to get around and how to look at information design. In my opinion, the pros are basically set for you in writing. This theory is similar to that of the regular basis of information design, or at least the guidelines of what I follow and then some. It explains where to put information and how to set it up, what can be used to get your point across, how to research and pretty much the basics that we have learned. I figure there are no cons for this theory, but that s how I think of it.

This theory could absolutely be implemented in blogs. In Tumblr, a blog company, they use information design by have a set of icons that are widely known around the world to get around the blog. They have little icons for like, reblog, reply, and more. They are short, sweet and simple but get the point across. I would like to use something similar in a website of mine once it is up and running

I don't know where I am, but information design will help

We have been told to make a scenario on how to use information design to get around a country we have no idea about. You do not speak the language, and you don't know anyone around. You have to get from one place to another and you have to figure it out on your own.

This is actually a really interesting scenario because my parents went through something like this. I was adopted from Colombia and my parents had to go pick me up. They knew no one, and they didn’t know the language. They had to be careful when they ordered food, because the water wasn’t the greatest for us. I remember them telling me a story about my father ordering fries, and he got a cup of ice cubes instead, or something of that nature. I guess this is my time to put myself in their shoes.

If were in Colombia; with no one to talk to, no knowledge of the language and not the slightest clue of how to read Spanish, I would be in trouble. But because I am an very observant person, I think I would make it through. A lot of countries have similar international signs. Even if there aren’t any, I would hope that some of them would be common sense. After all,  I would like to assume that the graphic designers of around the world follow a similar information design process. Even if I do not speak your language, I should be able to understand your sign. I would pay close attention to maps, and directional signs, and anything else my eyes can give me. Even sounds can help to. Usually, to get around town, they have signs of where certain transportations are. I would find a map, and circle the main points of my destination and little signs or pictures that explain what I am trying to say. I would show it to whoever would attempt to point me in the right direction of a kiosk of some sort and I would go from there. Usually, like I said before, they have self explanatory pictures (or at least I’d hope so.) I would manage my way through the menu of the kiosk and eventually find myself on the right mode of transport to get to where I need to be. It will be one hell of a journey, but one to remember.

Information Design Process

Taking this blog assignment very literal, it may be a bit long because it is my way of learning all of this as well. The process for information design can vary from the projects you do and the tasks that need to be taken on. Before you can even get started on the project, you have to learn who is on board. “Politics, Diplomacy, and Consensus” as Baer says page 32. What does your client want? What is behind this organization, the company, the reason for this project? You have to understand the insides of company, and everything in order to know what you need for the project to be successful. Perhaps the “business structures”, the “client’s history”, and so on with the general idea of the background of who or what you are working for. It will also help to get a team together who already knows a bit about what needs to be brought into the project, from the client’s team itself. It helps to have who is in charge, the “ultimate decision maker” (pg 33) with you a large step of the way. Meaning almost all meetings and other events. If they don’t like what’s there, your in trouble.

Once everything is in place, and you know about the company and all there is to know period, you can start with the roles to get the project on its feet. “Diagram the process” (pg 34). Explain what needs to be done so everyone understands what will be going on throughout the project. Make a list of who is on your team, get the roles and responsibilities of those people out of the way. Basically get your people in order so you can begin. Together, make a timeline so it’s known what is to be expected when to move faster. Planning and thinking a head of time always goes a long way, and paves the road for less mess ups.

Now you must figure out what this project is targeted towards. “Know Thy Audience.” (pg 36) Self explanatory really. Understand what needs to be in the project to get your point across. The emotional values, the physical values and everything in between. Make sure the content in your project has a significant amount of data for people to understand what you are building. Data upon data will give you more leeway for more information to better understand the finish project. While in development, make sure to “review your content while in development” (pg 46).

“The Creative Brief” (pg 50) is a document that will help the process move along nice and smoothly so everyone knows what is going on. Also understanding that people come and go, things will stop and start during a project. They’re will be some problems along the way, but the before process of planning should help you ease those moments. “Client approvals and feedback” (pg 50) will also help with the process running smoothly.

There are also sitemaps that can be included for bigger projects that have websites, exhibitions and more complex publications (pg 64). Creating blueprints is a critical step to projects. You need to know what it looks like and what is going were. Wireframes are essential as well, they can be used for websites and other documents. It’s a basic outline of what needs to be said and what needs to be understood on a visual perspective in my explanation. Research, research, research. The more you know about everything, the easier the execution of the project will be done and seen the way it is meant to be seen.

I cant say I would take away any steps, but it all depends on the project. I am all for forward planning before I even start anything. I like thinking ahead. I took this assignment very literal like I said before because I am learning more about the process so I wanted to write down what I thought was necessary in order to understand it.

Principle of Information Design: Graphic Design

I would say I position myself in the graphic design discipline. This area interests me the most because I am myself, a graphic designer. It always intrigued me how a graphic designer can get the attention of millions with a simple little design. For example, when Steve Jobs passed, there was a Hong Kong student who made a tribute to him.   

(http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/10/us-apple-design-idUSTRE7991PP20111010) It was Apple’s legendary logo and a silhouette of Jobs in the bite. Although it sparked controversy, it was a remembered design around the world. It is things and designs like that, that make me happy I am a graphic designer. This design took the simplification of a logo that was already known, and put the information in it that led us to know what this was about. Jobs’ silhouette was the information being put in because it told us of this tribute to him. In graphic design, there is always information to be looked at. Whether its colors, words, or the graphics itself- it always tells you something. Take Coca Cola and their ads: their graphic designers clearly explain to you what Coca Cola is all by the designs they make. 

http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2009/coca-cola-open-happiness/ You can tell what Coke is trying to say just by looking at their ads. They have everything down to the color scheme that draws you in. So for the reasons that graphic design basically uses all principles of design and incorporating information in it, is why I position myself among this principle.

What is information design?

Information design is everywhere. It even lies in the very structure and appearance of this sentence. I always look around to see how my eye can be caught from the colors and textures and shapes of everything around me. The color combinations, and which one leads the eye in first to the sizes and contrasts of everything. Even nature has its own way of showing us information design.

In my eyes information design is just that, no more no less. Its information that is given to you in a design. Whether it is in the form of a pamphlet or a movie poster, so a post card or a car commercial. Even music can be informative in a audio like matter. Information can be anything you can obtain with your senses, whether you hear, smell, taste, touch, or see it.

Information design tells a story. Like a comic strip for instance. It can have colors tell make the strip more intense, pull your eyes into it to make it more fun. You'll want to read it. Or a commercial with a catchy tune, maybe it'll get stuck in your head for the day, but you remember the jingle and maybe even wait for the commercial to come back on!

Information is everywhere, and design is everywhere. Even in that sentence.