Labels

Information Design: Project 1_ Animated Infographic Poster

 3 February 2025 - 10 February 2025

CHONG CHENG TAO (0371072)
Information Design | Bachelor of Design in Creative Media | Taylor's University
Project 1: Animated Infographic Poster

List

LECTURES
Week 4:
Manuel Lima's 9 Directives Manifesto

1. Form Follows Function:
  • The purpose should always be centeres on the explanation, which in turn leads to insight. 
2. Interactivity is Key:
  • Allows for investigation and learning through discovery.
3. Cite Your Source:
  • Always disclose where your data originated.
4. The Power of Narrative:
  • Elaborate information into storytelling to make it more interesting and memorable. 
5. Do Not Glorify Aesthetics:
  • "Should always be a consequence and never a goal."
6. Look for Relevancy:
  • Always pay attention on the reason of visualize the information.
7. Embrace Time:
  • Time management is one of the key factor to organize and achieve better results for any decision making.
8. Aspire for Knowledge:
  • "A core ability of Information Visualization is to translate information into knowledge."
9. Avoid Gratutious Visualizations:
  • "Should respond as a cognitive filter, an empowered lens of insight, and should never add more noise to the flow."

My Own Reflection:

Manuel Lima's 9 Directives Manifesto is everywhere is our life, especially in this technology era. 

One of the most obvious examples of form-follows-function content is search engines like Google, Edge and Safari. Layout prioritizes clarity, and elements such as URLs, images, and snippets are clearly structured to allow users to access information efficiently.

On the other hand, the power of narrative is vital in spreading information. For example, the news regarding COVID-19 by New York Times was featured with maps, charts and personal stories to make the data more engaging. 


Week 5:
Constructive Workflow
A constructive workflow is a system that organizes tasks and processes to achieve a goal.

It is important to synchronzie our workflow and construct how our brain work. Once we understand how the computer langauge works, the idea would become digirally more generative. 

Here is some main takeways: 

1. Understand the question
  • Asking the right question is more important than the answer.

2. Construct a strategic plan
  • Evaluate data & information.
  • Identity pros and cons.
  • Create a content creation plan.
  • Understand your outcome.
  • Build case studies.
3. Fill in the blank
  • Create empty folders as a structure.
  • Fill in each folder with a progress.
  • Synchronzie all working files for each software requirements.
4. Get some ideas & inspiration
  • Explore existing ideas as a guide and reference.
  • Ensure we are on tracks with what we are doing.
4. Set a perimeter
  • Ideas are limitless.
  • Time is a constraint.
  • Identity our strengths.
  • Reference is just a benchmark.
  • Solution is the answer.



INSTRUCTIONS

This is the Module Information Booklet for this module: 


Project 1 Animated Infographic Poster:

We will need to analyse the “delivery mechanism’s” that affect the outcomes of the infographics. Though content is important, however the aim of this presentation is too look at what makes an infographic presentation work or does not work. This includes content but only as one of the many components of an infographic

Following are the instructions:
  1. Choose 1 infographic poster reference from Internet 
  2. Redesign the poster into A4 size. Sketch the idea and process
  3. Redesign and simplify the poster based on visual hierarchy & typography
  4. Simplify the poster's design based on color, shape & pattern
  5. Attach your final poster on E-Portfolio with explanation and reflective writing

Reference / Sketches
Since Part 2 will need to do animated poster, I was looking for something more "movement" rather than static. 

Fig 2.1.1 Reference poster

I decided to go with the topic of "How Octopus Moves". I started some sketches to visualize the composition. Mr. Fauzi recommended the first sketch as it looks more organic. 

Fig 2.1.2 Sketches

Progress (Static Poster)

Fig 2.2.1 First Attempt

I think there is some massive drawback for the first attempt:
  • Lack of margins, causing the overall poster looks too rigid. 
  • The details explanation of movement is not highlighted.
  • The big octopus graphics might work on animated poster, but it doesn't provide any further information in a static poster. 
Thus, I proceeded with the second attempt, which have 4 individuals blocks for the movements. 
 
Fig 2.2.2 Second Attempt

I focus on the changes of  octopus's tentacles in different steps of movement using simple shapes and lines. 

Fig 2.2.3 Octopus illustration

Fig 2.2.4 Octopus illustration in 4 steps

Then, I have explored more in the layout designs. 

Fig 2.2.5 Layouts

Progress (Animated Poster)
I used Puppet Pin Tool To animate the octopus movement. 

           Fig 2.3.1 Puppet Pin Tool Tutorial

 Fig 2.3.2 Illustration pre-comp in AE

2 puppet tools are used: 
  • Position Pin Tool (Yellow): Add animated movement 
  • Starch Pin Tool (Red): Stiffen part of the image so it like less likely to distort
 Fig 2.3.3 Position & Starch Pin Tool

Time Remapping and using expression loopOut("cycle") to loop the animation.

 Fig 2.3.4 Time Remapping & loop expression

 Fig 2.3.5 Octopus Moving Animation

Animated background using motion tile effect to create effect like sea waves. 

 Fig 2.3.6 Background with Motioin Tile

Others animated elements:

 Fig 2.3.7 Description

 Fig 2.3.8 Pop out info box

 Fig 2.3.9 Minimal Animated Infographic_First Attempt

After consulting with Mr. Fauzi, there is some problems & suggestions:
  • When the title reach "MOVES", the octopus should start moving.
  • The detail information is too small, try to remove it.
  • Sync the movement with the movement breakdown card.
 Fig 2.3.10 Refined design_Movement breakdown & Fun Fact box

Final Submission

 Fig 2.4.1 Infographic Poster

 Fig 2.4.2 Minimal Animated Infographic



FEEDBACK

Week 3:
  • Proceed with the 2nd sketch. 

Week 3:
  • Be more precise to the timing.
  • Details information is too small in animated poster, try to remove it.
  • The poster is informative, the animation can be more clean and simple instead. 
  • Animation need to have hierarchy, prevent anything is moving at once to confuse the audience. 


REFLECTIONS
This project has been an enjoyable and fulfilling experience for me. It has provided a great opportunity to explore design principles in infographic posters, allowing me to experiment with layout, typography, color schemes, and visual hierarchy. Through this process, I have gained a deeper understanding of how to effectively present information in a visually engaging and not in an overwhelming way. 

Additionally, working on this project has enabled me to enhance my animation skills in After Effects. I’ve had the chance to refine my motion design techniques, such as smooth transitions, dynamic text animations. One of the biggest takeaway would be the using of expression in creating dynamic animation. With the help of AI tools, I find it super useful in writing expressions based on mathematical formulas.

Overall, this experience has been valuable, allowing me to strengthen my design and animation skills while enhancing my creativity and problem-solving. I’m excited to apply these learning outcome in the future project. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment