INFORMATION DESIGN EXERCISES

Quantify raw data and visualize information through a photograph.
Create a visual representation of numerical data that allows for easy interpretation and analysis.

Instructions:

Gather a set of objects and categorize them based on quantifiable factors such as color, shape, or pattern.
Arrange the objects in a presentable layout or chart.
Clearly label the quantities and data using written indicators (e.g., pens or markers).

Example Objects:

Box of LEGO pieces
Jar of buttons
Jar of marbles
Set of colorful rubber bands
M&Ms, coins, or other small items

The goal of this exercise is to present the information as it is, using a structured arrangement that enhances clarity and understanding.

In the first week of tutorial class, I brought colored macaroni—red, dark green, green, yellow, and grayish purple—as my object choice. I also brought yogurt Skittles as a backup in case the macaroni couldn't be used. However, due to the small quantity and the lack of obvious color contrast in the macaroni, small quantity of Skittles, Mr. Shamsul asked me to borrow beads from my classmate. Since I decided to complete the exercise at home, I arranged the beads in class just for fun to get a rough idea of what to do and understand the concept.

Fig E1.1 Macaroni

Fig E1.2 Trying it out by sorting beads in class

As I was about to use the Beads(amount was limited)/Skittles(needed to buy more) for the exercise, I found something else in the house—aquarium gravel. I found it suitable for this exercise since candies are often used already. There are seven colors of the gravel: red, blue, pink, purple, green, yellow, and white. But I won't be using white since it doesn't stand out enough on the white paper.

Fig E1.3 Unsorted aquarium gravel

Fig E1.4 Sorted aquarium gravel #1

Fig E1.5 Sorted aquarium gravel #2

Fig E1.5 Sorted aquarium gravel #3

Fig E1.6 Sorted aquarium gravel #4

Next, I tried arranging them to be presented visually, which here were some of the attempts:

Fig E1.7 Attempt at Arrangement #1

Fig E1.7 Attempt at Arrangement #2

Fig E1.7 Attempt at Arrangement #3

Fig E1.7 Attempt at Arrangement #4

For my final submission, I chose the fourth arrangement—fish—and named it Swimming Through Life. I arranged the aquarium gravel into colorful fish shapes to symbolize diversity and movement, much like life itself. Fish represent adaptability and resilience, reflecting how we navigate challenges. Each fish, made from a single color, highlights individuality, yet together they create a vibrant and harmonious scene—just like people in life. This arrangement not only presents the data clearly but also reflects my perspective on embracing change and finding balance.

Fig E1.8 Final Choice—Swimming Through Life

EXERCISE 2: L.A.T.C.H

INSTRUCTION:

1. Organize a group of information into a visual poster that combines and utilizes the LATCH principles (Minimum 4).
2. To use the digital photo editing/illustration software available to assemble the information into a LATCH infographic poster.
3. You are allowed to reuse back the images but you have to create the rest of visuals to complete the poster.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Size resolution: 1240 × 1750 pixels or 2048 × 2048 pixels.

2. Progress and submission link on E-Portfolio.

Topic Selection

I decided to create an infographic poster on the Arctic animals, for this exercise. First, I listed out the key information I wanted to include in the infographic poster. To organize the data effectively, I categorized the animals based on location, which included land & ice and ocean & ice. Additionally, I identified relevant details such as type of animal, size, and survival strategies.

To further enhance the structure, I applied the LATCH principles, grouping the animals by location, category, and seasonal survival behavior. This helped me create a clear, easy-to-follow infographic while ensuring that the information remained concise and visually engaging.

The LATCH principle consists of five ways to organize information: Location, Alphabet, Time, Category, and Hierarchy. Here's how I applied each aspect in my infographic:

L (Location): I divided the animals into two main environments which are Land & Ice and Ocean & Ice, to clearly show where they live.

A (Alphabet): While not a primary organizing factor, I arranged the animals based on the alphabetical order when at the categories, ensured that animal names were clearly labeled for easy identification.

T (Time): I incorporated a seasonal survival timeline, distinguishing animals that stay all year from those that migrate in winter.

C (Category): Animals were categorized based on their environments and grouped into mammals and marine mammals for a more structured presentation.

H (Hierarchy): I emphasized survival strategies, showing the most critical adaptations at the bottom timeline to guide the viewer’s understanding of their importance.

Fig E2.1 Information

Visual References

Although they may not be directly related to the topic, these are the visuals I explored before starting my design for the layout and information.

Fig E2.2 Visual References

Ideation Sketch

Fig E2.3 Sketches

Digitisation

To start, I browsed Pinterest and Google to find images or graphics of Arctic animals. Source: Shutterstock - Arctic Animals Watercolor.

Since these images had watermarks, I removed both the watermark and the background to use them in the poster.

Fig E2.4 artic animals images

To begin the design process, I traced the Arctic map using the Pen tool in Adobe Illustrator and experimented with arranging the layout. This allowed me to establish the basic structure and positioning of elements on the poster. However, after considering my comfort level and familiarity with different design tools, I realized that I am more accustomed to working with Canva. Its user-friendly interface and features align better with my workflow, so I decided to switch to Canva to finalize and refine the infographic poster.

Fig E2.5 Process in AI

Fig E2.6 Process in Canva

Fig E2.7 Colour theme and Typography

I organized the animals into two categories based on their living environments: Land & Ice, and Ocean & Ice. Four animals in the Land & Ice category were all mammals, while three in the Ocean & Ice category were marine mammals. The names of the animals were written at the top right of each, and their sizes were listed below. The timeline focuses on survival strategies, which include 'Stay All Year' Animals and 'Migrate in Winter' Animals.

Fig E2.8 First Attempt(process)

Then, I realized that the survival strategies of the animals weren’t very clear or informative. To improve this, I added a brief description of each animal’s survival strategy next to their image, making it easier for viewers to understand their behaviors and adaptations.

Fig E2.9 Second Attempt

For the final adjustments, I made several refinements to improve the overall design. First, I noticed that the descriptions under the survival strategies felt a bit cramped, so I slightly increased the spacing between the text to enhance readability and make the information more digestible. Regarding the arc positioning, while it was well-placed, I decided to remove the Antarctica map from the middle, as it could potentially confuse viewers given that the focus is on the Arctic. By removing it, I aimed to avoid any misleading associations related to seasonal or climate changes. Finally, I adjusted the alignment of the text curving along the arc. While it was effective, it wasn’t as neat as I’d hoped, so I fine-tuned the placement to make the text clearer and easier to read, ensuring a cleaner and more organized appearance for the survival strategies.

Fig E2.10 Third Attempt

In Week 3, I received feedback from Mr. Shamsul, who pointed out that my infographic poster was not eye-catching or appealing enough. He suggested that I redo the poster to enhance its visual impact and incorporate a clear theme. This feedback made me realize that while my initial design was structured well, it lacked a strong aesthetic appeal that could capture attention and make the information more engaging. To improve the poster, I focused on refining the overall layout, typography, and color scheme to create a more cohesive and visually appealing design.

He also suggested that my first sketch was quite good and that I could try digitizing it, but with a stronger concept. I could look for references, such as using an iceberg, since it fits the Arctic theme. As for the information, I'll just use the same one since there wasn't any problem with it.

So I did a quick sketch in class to get an idea on how the poster should look like, this meant that I had to redo the whole poster again. This sketch was shown to Mr Shamsul and he said its okay, so I proceeded with this layout.

Fig E2.11 Sketch after feedback

Since we couldn't use Canva to design the poster (heard in class), I used AI to complete the element of the iceberg referring to the colour theme from Fig E2.12.

Fig E2.12 Reference image for colour

Fig E2.13 Process of iceberg in AI

Fig E2.14 Adding Gradient and Grain effect

I categorized the land animals on the top of the iceberg and the ocean ones at the bottom. Instead of using circles behind the animals, I chose to use irregular shapes inspired by icebergs to maintain a cohesive theme. The colors were differentiated based on their categories, with distinct shades for mammals and marine mammals to enhance visual clarity and organization. I also removed the information of 'Stay All Year' Animals and 'Migrate in Winter' Animals since it isn't necessary and the information is enough.

Fig E2.15 process

Fig E2.16 Final Poster (Redone and Updated)

Final L.A.T.C.H Infographic Poster

Fig E2.17 Final L.A.T.C.H Infographic Poster

Fig E2.18 Final L.A.T.C.H Infographic Poster in PDF

(the fonts can't be exported in PDF form)

FEEDBACK

WEEK 1

General Feedback

form a group of 10 and discuss on final project's topic
explore more on the grouping of products
be more creative
proposal slide presentation on next monday

Specific Feedback

the amount of pasta is too little, borrow friend's beads
skittles are okay (i brought too less as well)
create a story for the artwork and have to relate to yourself
good choice for group's topic

WEEK 2

General Feedback

Submit work before next class

Specific Feedback

group presentation was good
reduce the amount of information
create a comparison infographic
add links to slides or the e-portfolio

WEEK 3

General Feedback

Submit work before next class

Specific Feedback

group presentation was good
reduce the amount of information
create a comparison infographic
add links to slides or the e-portfolio
for the poster:

Fig F1.1 feedback

REFLECTION

Experience

The exercises in this module have been a valuable learning experience in information design. The first exercise was quite fun, as I enjoyed arranging the items and exploring different ways to structure information. However, after seeing others’ work, I realized that I could have approached the task more creatively. I also noticed that I took a bit longer to fully understand the requirements, which made me reflect on how I process design instructions.

For the second task, the LATCH infographic poster, I faced more challenges, particularly in the design thinking stage. This is something I often struggle with, as I tend to overthink certain aspects, which slows down my progress. The task itself wasn’t difficult in terms of content, but it required a strategic approach to organizing information. I had to carefully consider how to categorize the Arctic animals based on location, survival strategies, and seasonal behavior while keeping the design visually appealing. Although I had submitted early, the feedback received was the poster wasn't appealing enough and I had to redo the entire thing, but the outcome was indeed better, and I understood that receiving feedback can definitely make us improve.

Although I struggled at times, the process was manageable and insightful. I learned how to apply the LATCH principles effectively in an infographic, ensuring that information is categorized and presented in an intuitive way. This exercise reinforced the importance of planning, organization, and clarity in design, which are essential skills for creating effective infographics. Moving forward, I hope to refine my approach by improving my ideation speed and creative execution to create more engaging and visually dynamic designs.

Observation

This module focuses on teaching information design, particularly how to structure and present data effectively through visuals. The exercises helped me understand the importance of organizing complex information in a way that is both clear and engaging for the audience. Through tasks like arranging items and applying the LATCH principles, I realized that information design is not just about making something look visually appealing—it’s about making data more accessible and meaningful. I also observed how different design choices can impact how people interpret and engage with the information.

Findings

From these exercises, I gained a deeper understanding of how visual hierarchy, categorization, and design thinking contribute to effective infographics. The LATCH framework helped me see how information can be grouped logically, whether by location, attributes, time, category, or hierarchy. I also learned that storytelling in infographics plays a big role in guiding the viewer’s understanding, especially when working with structured data like survival strategies. The module encourages us to not only create visually appealing work but to think critically about how information is communicated and how design decisions influence user engagement.

QUICK LINKS

FLIP PRESENTATION

EXERCISES

TASK 1

FINAL PROJECT & E-PORTFOLIO