Infographics experimentation, Collection 100: Cont.

This is a development from the previous infographic experimentation using the Illustrator bag trace.  I think this looks more visually stimulating because it is less structured, and more like an explosion.  However, it doesn't communicate as effectively as the previous piece.

- A key would help this. 

This is my second attempt.  I followed the idea of making the piece aesthetically interesting and colourful to communicate the information gathered.  At the bottom of the piece there is a key.  I thought that placing it horizontally across the bottom of the piece would frame it in a way where the viewers main attention is still on the spherical information above.
There are many different ways I can experiment with this key, for example:

Visual Language, Magazine manipulation

We were all given a word and bought a magazine, and had to experiment with this magazine so that the word was reflected in the manipulation.
My word was irratic.  I thought that the pointed lines without structure would successfully communicate this, and also look impressive.  Unfortunately it did not look impressive and unfortunately everyone thought that my word was colour.
I am going to try again with a book and experiment more with the shape of the book and emphasising different levels.
I also experimented with a single page, folding it in on itself.

Unfortunately, this also did not look as impressive as I initially thought.
-more experimentation to come.

Book Binding Workshop

In the workshop we were taught three different types of bookbinding.

The first is known as: 

First we had to fold each individual page in half with the bone folder, and then place them all together.  We then had to use a Japanese screw punch to create three different holes in the fold of the paper.

We then had to sew in and out of the holes and create a knot to ensure that the book had been properly binded. 

The next method we were taught is called: Japanese side stitch.

We drew a line half an inch from the side of the paper, we then made five different points of which we would drill into.

Once the holes had been drilled we clipped the paper together to ensure it didn't move whilst sewing the binding. 

First you have to sew through the fifth page of the book to the front.

Once sewn thread back to the fifth page and tie a double knot to ensure the binding is strong and secure.

Here is a website I found which I think will be useful if the process is forgotten: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Bookbinding/Japanese_side_stitch

The third binding method we were taught is known as a constantine bind.

We had to mark and 'x' on both sides of the portrait paper front and back.  This was so that when it came to sticking them down we knew which areas needed glue.

Once glued the pages should open as above.

Above is the material used for the hardback aspect of this book.  We drew around thick cardboard then cut about an inch away from that measurement so that we could fold it over for a neater look.  We then cut around half a centimeter away from the corners to avoid excess material when folding.

When glueing the material down you have to smooth it over and then use your nails to push in on the sides of the board.  Then when folding over to the other side you have to lift and push so that you get a smooth finish.

Once we completed the cover we then glued it to the front and back pages of the already glued paper.  As you can see above there is slight excess where I have folded the cover over- this is because I didn't cut close enough to the corner initially.  A mistake I will rectify next time.

Change within bags, Collection 100- moving image.

After our moving image induction I was inspired to start thinking about how I could use moving image within my project.

I came up with some design sheets for an idea using change within peoples bags:

These frames basically illustrate the idea of all the money from my research in one bag intensifying the message that there is so much money in the bottom of peoples bags that they don't even know about.
Task:
- Take some images of from this design for the second Flash induction on Thursday.


So, unfortunately it was impossible to get the exact amount of change needed, or even a lower representation of the change to give the effect I wanted.  So therefore I have just experimented with coins in a more simple way.


Final Cut,
To begin with we had to name our images in numerical order so that the files would process in order.  We also had to save them in the same folder to reduce confusion when in Final Cut.

Firstly we imported our files into the programme.  You can also import a a whole folder if it is relevant to do so.
You then drag the first image into the 'video' track- it appears as a green rectangle.  Once more images are dragged in they 'snap' together so that images don't overlap or get spaced too far apart when first imported.

You can change the size of imported images.  This size reflects how long the image will be on screen for- as shown above.
You can also press 'shift' and 'z' at the same time once a whole folder has been imported so as to avoid scrolling through the images.  They are evenly spread across the screen.
If you are happy with the placement of a sequence then just click 'file' then 'new' and finally 'sequence'.  This creates 'sequence 2'- you drag the first sequence into sequence 2 on the bar.  This will now flow more like a sequence of moving images than a juttery clip of multiple images.
To add text,

You simply double click the text and change it by using the control tab at the top of the 'sample text' screen.

It appears on the timeline as shown below.  You can change where it sits on the moving image by switching its placement.

Here's the final resolution:

I think that this type of design would not appeal to my audience (students) because it is bland and takes time.  I think that for this piece to be successful I need to make impact straight away.  So I think that a poster mixed with a strong visual will work well.

sa

Infographics experimentation, Collection 100

This is my bag.  
There are many like it but this one is mine...

I will be tracing the bag aspect of this image through Illustrator to experiment with infographics and designs.

Above is a simple line trace of the bag.

This is an infographic i've created using the bag trace.  The circles go large to small representing the british coins.  The largest represents the £2 coin and the smallest represents the 1p.  This information comes from the survey I compiled asking 100 people what change they had in their bags.  I don't like the regimented design.  The outline of the bag means that the circles are too contained.  I do not think this looks like a quality enough design.  The fact that the bag is creating an unregimented shape looks like a weak design to me.