Week 3: Complex Simplicity - Big Data
Lecture: Big Data
This weeks lecture on information design looks into the historical evolution of visual communication, underscoring its timeless significance. Beginning with ancient cave paintings and religious art, the speaker illustrates how images have served as a universal language for sharing knowledge and stories.
The discussion extends to contemporary applications, including the role of visuals in wayfinding, exemplified by the London Design Museum's navigation system and Harry Beck's iconic London Underground map. The lecture also touches on the impact of technology, showcasing projects by Onformative and emphasising the significance of Monocle's effective use of infographics.
Overall, the lecture offers a comprehensive view of the subject, highlighting its enduring relevance and potential future directions.
Research Task:
After this week's lecture, we were tasked with researching other forms of information design or infographics. I chose to examine recipes and found two examples that illustrate the process of putting together a dish in two separate ways. On the left, we see a very minimal yet clean approach to producing a simple dish. The process is highlighted clearly for the reader to understand. By combining symbols like +, -, and images of each single ingredient, there is no need for additional information, showcasing the strength of the infographic.
The example on the right illustrates the process of making dumplings in a more detailed manner. Here, we observe the use of text along with a visual trail highlighting the steps from start to finish. In my opinion, this infographic is more detailed, which, in turn, may compromise its intended purpose of being easy and quick to understand. Therefore, I believe the example presented on the left is a clearer and more concise representation.
