Information Design - Exercises
⭐ 3/2/2024 - 10/2/2025 (Week 1 - Week 2)
🎀 Yan Zhi Xuan | 0369425
💜 Information Design | Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media | Taylor's University
📚 Exercises
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3. Exercise 1
4. Exercise 2
5. Feedback
6. Reflections
1. LECTURES ⊹ ࣪ ˖₊˚⋆˙⟡
Week 1
In Week 1, we were introduced to the Information Design module, which consists of four tasks: Exercise 1, Exercise 2, Project 1 (individual work), and Project 2 along with the Flip presentation (group work). For Exercise 1, titled "Quantifiable Information," we need to select and prepare an object for analysis.
Week 2
During Week 2, Mr. Fauzi delivered a lecture on LATCH Theory, which stands for Location, Alphabet, Time, Category, and Hierarchy—a framework used for organizing information effectively. He explained how each principle helps in structuring data in a meaningful way, making it easier to interpret and visualize. Throughout the session, he provided examples and real-world applications of LATCH Theory, demonstrating its relevance in information design.
2. INSTRUCTION ⊹ ࣪ ˖₊˚⋆˙⟡
Fig. 2.1 Module Information Booklet - Information Design.
Tasks:
1. Exercise 1: Quantifiable Information
2. Exercise 2: LATCH Infographic Poster
3. EXERCISE 1: QUANTIFIABLE INFORMATION ⊹ ࣪ ˖₊˚⋆˙⟡
Instructions
Exercise 1 on Quantifiable Information requires us to quantify and visually present data using a set of objects. Mr. Fauzi provides some great examples using coins, buttons and LEGO bricks, showing the process from raw data to a structured, visually appealing representation.
Objective: Quantify raw data and visualize it as a photograph. Present numerical data visually for easy interpretation.
Work Progress
1. Choose Objects
To effectively visualize and quantify the emotions I experienced during my first week of school, I embarked on a creative project that transformed abstract feelings into tangible representations. I began by selecting four distinct colors of paper, each symbolizing a specific emotion: yellow for happiness (joy, contentment, excitement), purple for fear (anxiety, worry, nervousness), pink for anger (frustration, resentment, annoyance), and blue for sadness (grief, disappointment, loneliness). Using a paper punch, I meticulously crafted small, uniform circular dots from each colored sheet. These dots served as physical embodiments of individual emotional instances, allowing me to engage in a hands-on approach to understanding my emotional landscape.
Fig. 3.1 Sketches of Ideas and Tools.
Fig. 3.2 Preparation.
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Fig. 3.3 Chosen Objects - Coloured Dots.
2. Sort the Objects
After creating the coloured dots, I proceeded to sort and organize them into 4 groups according to their colours.
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Fig. 3.4 Sorted with Different Colours.
3. Arrange for Visualization
By arranging these coloured dots into their respective groups, I created a visual and quantifiable representation of my emotional experiences, providing valuable insights into the emotional dynamics of my first week at school.
Overall Concept: "My Emotional Landscape of the First Week of School" This concept frames the project as an exploration of how emotions fluctuated and interacted throughout the week. Each data presentation can represent a specific perspective or layer of this emotional journey.
Arrangement #1: Day-Time Graph
Next, I developed a day-time graph to capture the distribution of emotions throughout each day. This involved creating a timeline for each day, segmented into hourly intervals. I then placed the corresponding coloured dots along the timeline, indicating when each emotion was experienced. This visualization provided insights into the times of day when certain emotions were more prevalent, helping me understand daily emotional rhythms.
Upon reflection, I found that happiness was the most prevalent emotion, represented by 36 yellow dots indicating moments of joy and excitement. Fear is followed with 24 purple dots, denoting instances of anxiety or nervousness. Anger was depicted by 15 pink dots, showcasing periods of frustration or annoyance, while sadness was represented by 9 blue dots, symbolizing times of grief or disappointment.
Fig. 3.5 Arrangement #1 (According to Time and Days).
Arrangement #2: Pie Chart
I created a pie chart to depict the proportional representation of each emotion. Each slice of the pie corresponded to an emotion. The visual comparison of the slices allowed for an immediate understanding of the emotional composition of my week, emphasizing the prevalence of happiness over other emotions.
Fig. 3.6 Arrangement #2 (Pie Chart).
Arrangement #3: Pyramid Chart
To represent the hierarchy and proportion of emotions, I constructed a pyramid chart. The base of the pyramid featured the most frequently experienced emotion, with each subsequent layer representing emotions of decreasing frequency. In this arrangement, happiness occupied the broad base, followed by fear, anger, and sadness at the top. This structure highlighted the dominant emotions and their relative occurrences during the week.
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Fig. 3.7 Arrangement #3 (Pyramid Chart).
4. Present Visually
Finally, I presented "My Emotional Landscape of the First Week of School" like a Ferris wheel. I also wrote out each coloured dots represent what emotions at the right side as informatiin.
Final Outcome
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Fig. 3.8 Final Outcome - Exercise 1.
5. Explain the Data with a Story
Ferris Wheel of Emotions: First Week of My School Feelings
Stepping into a new environment feels like boarding a Ferris wheel—you never quite know how the ride will unfold. Some moments are exhilarating, while others bring nervous anticipation, a mix of highs and lows as the wheel keeps turning.
The outermost yellow layer (36 dots) represents happiness—joy, contentment, and excitement. These moments came from meeting friendly classmates, discovering interesting lessons, and feeling proud of my new journey.
Moving inward, purple dots (24) embody fear—anxiety, worry, and nervousness, much like the tension before reaching the Ferris wheel’s peak. These reflect concerns about fitting in, coursework, or navigating unfamiliar hallways.
Next, pink dots (15) symbolize anger—frustration, resentment, and annoyance, stemming from stress, miscommunication, or challenges like struggling with assignments.
At the core, blue dots (9) represent sadness—grief, disappointment, and loneliness, marking moments of missing familiarity or feeling out of place.
Each dot is a passenger on my Ferris wheel of emotions. The dominant yellow reassures me that, despite challenges, my first week was filled with more joy than anything else. Like a Ferris wheel, emotions cycle through, but in the end, the ride is worth it.
4. EXERCISE 2: L.A.T.C.H INFOGRAPHIC POSTER ⊹ ࣪ ˖₊˚⋆˙⟡
Instructions
Organize a set of information into a visual poster using L.A.T.C.H principles. Use digital photo editing or illustration software to design the infographic. You can reuse images, but you must create additional visual elements to complete the poster.
Objective: Create a visual infographic poster that organizes information using at least four of the L.A.T.C.H principles: Location, Alphabet, Time, Category, Hierarchy.
Requirements: Size resolution: 1240 × 1750 pixels or 2048 × 2048 pixels.
Work Progress
A. Concept Development (Mood Board, Visual References)
I decided to work on the title: Solar System. The Solar System is a vast cosmic neighbourhood, with the Sun at its centre. It is home to eight planets, their moons, and other celestial bodies like asteroids, comets, and dwarf planets. Each planet orbits the Sun, held by its gravitational pull, and varies in size, composition, and distance from the Sun.
The eight planets are divided into two groups:
- Inner (Terrestrial) Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars – small, rocky, and close to the Sun.
- Outer (Gas and Ice Giant) Planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune – large and composed of gas or ice.
The following is the Proposal Document:
Doc. 4.1 L.A.T.C.H. Infographic Poster Proposal.
 |
| Fig. 4.1 Solar System Information. |
Fig. 4.2 Solar System Infographic Visual References.
Typography & Colour Scheme:
Fig. 4.3 Chosen Typography and Colour Scheme.
B. Sketches
I created two layouts and chose the second one to proceed.
Fig. 4.4 Layouts and Sketch.
C. Digitalization in Adobe Illustrator
Next, I drew and created the infographic poster in Ai.
Fig. 4.5 Vectors in Outline View,
Fig. 4.6 Artwork in Adobe Illustrator.
The first version of the infographic established a clear layout of the Solar System, featuring planetary details such as mass, diameter, density, and orbital period. However, the typography and alignment needed refinement to enhance readability and overall clarity. The title was present but required better styling to create a stronger visual impact.
Fig. 4.7 Work Progress #1.
Fig. 4.8 Work Progress #2.
Moving into the third step, the title font was modified for a more futuristic and bold appearance, enhancing the visual appeal of the infographic.
Fig. 4.9 Work Progress #3.
Fig. 4.10 Work Progress #4.
Final Outcome 🚀✨
Fig 4.11 Final Outcome - L.A.T.C.H. Infographic Poster.
Doc. 4.2 Final Outcome - L.A.T.C.H. Infographic Poster (PDF).
*Please open in new tab to see clear(300 ppi) information on the poster.
5. FEEDBACK ⊹ ࣪ ˖₊˚⋆˙⟡
Week 1
Mr. Fauzi suggested I think of a story first and then only think of how to arrange the objects with the ideas. After constructing 4 visual presentation ideas, Mr. Fauzi said I could choose the fourth layout to proceed.
Week 2
No feedback was given.
Week 3
He suggested that we use A4 size because it needs to be uniform.
6. REFLECTIONS ⊹ ࣪ ˖₊˚⋆˙⟡
Reflection on Exercise 1: Quantifiable Information
Experience
For this exercise, I focused on transforming emotions into quantifiable data by using colored paper dots to represent different feelings. I carefully selected four colors—yellow, purple, pink, and blue—to symbolize happiness, fear, anger, and sadness. Using a paper puncher, I created small dots and arranged them in a Ferris wheel layout to visually present my emotional experience during the first week of school.
Observation
I observed that the process of physically creating and arranging the dots helped me gain a clearer perspective on my emotions. The number of each colored dot made it easier to see which emotions were most prominent. Happiness, represented by yellow, was the most frequent, forming the outer layer of the Ferris wheel. Fear followed, positioned slightly inward, while anger and sadness occupied the central layers.
Findings
Through this exercise, I realized that emotions can be effectively visualized and structured in a way that makes them easier to interpret. The Ferris wheel format not only reflected the ups and downs of my emotional journey but also highlighted how positive emotions outweighed the negative ones. This method of quantifying emotions gave me a new way to understand my experiences and made abstract feelings more tangible.
Reflection on Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H. Infographic Poster
Experience
Working on this Solar System infographic was both exciting and challenging. At first, I focused on getting all the scientific information right—things like planet sizes, orbital periods, and categories. But as I progressed, I realized that just having the facts wasn’t enough; the design needed to be clear, engaging, and visually appealing. Each revision helped me refine the layout, making sure everything was well-organized and easy to understand. Seeing the design evolve from a basic layout to a polished, dynamic piece was a rewarding experience.
Observation
One thing that stood out during this process was how small adjustments can make a big difference. In the beginning, the text and labels felt cluttered, and some elements were hard to read. But by tweaking the spacing, font size, and colors, the information became much more digestible. Another key improvement was the addition of visual hierarchy—grouping planets into terrestrial, gas, and ice giants helped break down complex data into something more intuitive. Adding comets and meteors in the final version also made the design feel more alive, as if you were looking at a snapshot of space.
Findings
One thing that stood out during this process was how small adjustments can make a big difference. In the beginning, the text and labels felt cluttered, and some elements were hard to read. But by tweaking the spacing, font size, and colors, the information became much more digestible. Another key improvement was the addition of visual hierarchy—grouping planets into terrestrial, gas, and ice giants helped break down complex data into something more intuitive. Adding comets and meteors in the final version also made the design feel more alive, as if you were looking at a snapshot of space.
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