Information Design Post 2

I found an infographic that was attempting to educate viewers on how to perfect their running form. For the goal of this infographic, it was important to show a runner and pin point the different parts of the body and what these parts needed to do in order to have perfect running form. I appreciate that this infographic merges photography into the image so you have a realistic view of what the runner really looks like. The different colors are crucial in differentiating the individual aspects of the body. I think the information is displayed and presented the viewer very clearly, and you instantly know what you are looking at. However, I do feel like there could be more details that could make the piece more visually interesting- such as pattern , or depth.

On my package of Crystal Light, there is a simple infographic on the packaging that explains the directions and usage of the product. I find it really important that they even have an infographic- not every company would include one! Because Crystal Light is a product that not everyone knows how to use, the use of an infographic is really important here. The infographic is short and sweet, which I love. There is only two steps, and each step number is highlighted in a pink circle, which matches the brand. The images that accompany the instructions are small photographs that show the actual product. I appreciate how the images are the most simple they could possibly be, and there are no weird floating hands with the product. The infographic goes seamlessly with the rest of the product’s packaging (for examples the wave continuing on the side), and only enhances the user’s experience.

Information Design Post 1

While in the middle of planning my own wedding, I have researched and found numerous infographics on different wedding topics. One of my favorites was an infographic on the “True Cost of a Wedding Knot”. I appreciate that the top of the infographic provides an introduction paragraph to the rest of the graphic. There is a clear color palette with the colors pink and blue that have a strong connotation with the viewer that blue is for male and pink is for female. The graphics and icons are clean and very clear as to what they are. The costs are in a bold black and are very visible to the eye. There isn’t a very clear path for the eye, but the focal point is on the center of the image to the bride and groom graphic. In the bottom of the graphic the icons are lined  in a grid to represent each aspect of the wedding, paired with the average cost. I thought the information was shown very clearly and simply, with images and colors that I could easily respond to and understand the information.

Another infographic that I’ve found was on the packaging of my microwavable macaroni and cheese. The goal of this infographic was to explain to the user how to cook this macaroni and cheese. They provided the user with the images on the left to illustrate the instructions that were given on the right. Each instruction has a image that perfectly explains what you have to do. They color coded words are helpful as well- with the important instructions in yellow, additional information in white, and cautionary instructions in red. Because of this, important information is clear to the user. Even children could make this mac and cheese, and they’ve made it very easy.

 

Source:

blog.bloomsbythebox.com

Interactive Media: Blog Post #5

Sleep Cycle is an app that I use on a daily basis. It is an alarm that wakes me up in a 20 minutes range from what I set it to, based on when I’m having the lightest sleep. It sits on my bed while I sleep to calibrate statistics during my sleep.

1. The app has a stagnant menu bar at the bottom that has the alarm, statistics, trends, and settings.
2. When you tap each icon on the menu bar it is highlighted so you know which one you are at.
3. The Alarm bar lets us scroll through the right time that you want.
4. The Statistics bar brings you to a calendar with graphs that show your sleep schedule. The graphs are extremely easy to read and understand.
5. The Trends bar shows you trends in your sleep such as sleep quality certain days of the week, what time you usually go to bed and wake up, and sleep averages in other countries. These statistics are also shown in easy to display graphs.
6. The Settings bar has multiple options to choose from such as sounds, vibrations, snooze, motion detection, notes, etc. The look is very similar to the iOS design style.

I think Sleep Cycle is extremely user friendly. The menu at the bottom is always there in case you need it and everything is displayed very clearly. The color palette is dark blue and has a quiet, calm, nighttime feel. It is dimly lit and soothing to look at which I think is important because people are looking at this app before they fall asleep and when they wake up.

My Sony TV remote is something I use on a daily basis.

1. The remote colors make it look very outdates. The buttons are either black, and grey with a greenish tint, and important buttons are highlighted in blue.
2. The type is the most simple and has absolutely no emotion to it.
3. The buttons having to do with power and display are at the very top.
4. The volume and mute buttons are at the very bottom.
5. The number pad is in the grey and has the biggest type size on the remote.
6. The Home button is in the center and is highlighted in the blue so it stands out.

Overall I think this remote is extremely basic and simple and has no obvious design qualities to it. The organization of all the buttons seems to be the biggest fault in the design. It doesn’t seem like there is clear reasoning for why things are where they are, I wish the type size beneath some of the buttons was bigger so I could better see what some of these buttons do.

Interactive Media: Blog Post #4

Chatbooks is a new app I discovered from an ad on Instagram. The concept is pretty simple and easy to use- they take your Instagram photos and turn it into a super cute photo book!

1. First you log into the Chatbooks app.
2. Then they have you log into your Instagram account.
3. Then all your Instagram photos are pulled up and you can just tap through and select which photos you want to use.
4. If you hold your finger down on a photo you can drag the photos around into the order that you would like to see them in.
5. Once you are done with that you click next and it allows you to choose your cover photo and type in a title for it.
6. Then you are taken to a form to fill out your billing and shipping information and that’s about it.

The whole app just takes you through step by step which makes it easy for anyone at any age to use. The process is simple and similar to any online shopping experience. The visuals are clean and similar to the design with Instagram, which the user clearly has already been used to. I think the overall idea for the app is great too and I ordered a book for myself!

I always have used a electronic toothbrush to brush my teeth. Right now I have a Sonicare electronic toothbrush.

1. The toothbrush has nice indents on the two sides that are meant for maximum grip, even when the toothbrush is wet.
2. The toothbrush has only one button that is blue and right in the middle. It is clear and simple.
3. If you push the brush once it turns it on.
4. To stop the toothbrush you have to push it twice in a row pretty quickly.

The toothbrush is super simple to use and the one button makes it impossible to fail. However, I wish there was a different button to turn it off, as I find it hard to double tap the button quick enough to turn it off. When you’re brushing your teeth you often have the toothbrush at odd angles so sometimes it is hard to reach the button. A quick way to turn it off is important because otherwise it is spraying water everywhere and nobody likes that.

 

VisCom 3: Blog Post #5

In the Start With Why TED Talk by Simon Sinek, he allowed you to examine successful people and companies that we are all familiar with, and show us what is different about them. He is right, Apple is just like any other computer company, yet they always make the most unique, innovative, and creative products in the world. The reason why Apple does things and why they create is what really makes them stand a part. Apple knows why they do what they do and that is really the part that people care about, and that is how they change the status quo. Although he does not mention this in the video, I think these same principles and ways of thinking could be applied to design. Every designer working on something knows what the are designing. They are designing a package, a logo, a website, a billboard, etc. They know how they design- they use Illustrator or Photoshop or they sketch it out or collaborate with other people, etc. But how many of us know why we design? Besides designing for money or designing because our boss or professor told us to, the real why behind it is what I think can really establish the difference between a good or a great designer. That’s why I think platforms like AIGA’s Design for Good or movements like designing for social change are really picking up here in the year 2015. Designing for something greater than just “because my boss told me too” gives a better purpose to why we design, and honestly probably results in better designs. When we design for something we are passionate about that has a positive impact can really change the way we look at things. And I don’t think it necessarily means we have to always design for a nonprofit or charity to create a better “why” for why we design. But knowing that “why” can make us better designers and can cause us to stand out from the pack.

 

VisCom 3: Blog Post #4

I absolutely loved Mike Monteiro’s 13 Ways Designers Screw Up Client Presentations. Not only was it an entertaining read, but with each new bullet point I found myself nodding and thinking how I need to remember all of these great tips. I certainly have been guilty of some of the things Monteiro suggests to never do. I definitely find myself asking “do you like it?” to a client. I think that’s a hard one, because it is hard to understand that there could be a design that the client doesn’t necessarily like, but it could be a successful design for their brand that they should still use. Remembering that they don’t necessarily have to “like it” is important. I also find that when a client doesn’t like something, I find myself quickly eager to say that I can change things to the way the client wants. I think in some cases this is okay, but Monteiro suggests that we explain to the client why we designed it that way and why it shouldn’t need to be changed.

I think all of his tips such as being confident, presenting yourself well, standing while speaking, and not starting with an apology are all tips that I have heard for public speaking in general. I do agree that these things are all so important when speaking to a client, as you do want to portray yourself as the expert in your field. I think it is important for myself to remember that if the client could have done the design themselves, they wouldn’t have hired me. So therefore they hired me because they need me and they trust me to help them get what they need.

I completely agree and love his opening statement about how he’d rather have a good designer who can present well than a great designer who can’t. I have never heard this before but I think it is very true. Presenting is extremely important when it comes to design, and ironically it is not really something that we are taught much about in school. Ultimately when it comes to presenting I think it is about confidence and knowing what you are talking about. If you aren’t excited about your work or can’t answer questions to back it up, then why would the client get excited about it? Presenting is actually one of my favorite parts about design, because it is where I get to prove to my client or my boss that I actually know my sh** and that I worked hard and I have sound reasoning for all of my design decisions. I found Monteiro’s article to be something that was extremely applicable and something that I’m going to bookmark and remember for future design presentations I have to come.

 

https://medium.com/@monteiro/13-ways-designers-screw-up-client-presentations-51aaee11e28c#.qf9kop4v1

View at Medium.com

View at Medium.com

Interactive Media: Blog Post #3

Right now one of my favorite sites and applications that I have been using is Trello. Trello is an app that you can use to help organize your life, projects, work, or whatever you need. It is easy to fit to your specific needs, and is super user friendly in my opinion. Here is my process when I first begin the app:

1. I can create what they call “cards” which have the task that I need completed.
2. I create a name for the card, then I color code it to a label that I have already given a category to, such as work, personal, AIGA, class, etc.
3. I think can create a due date for that card, and Trello will let me know when I have something that is almost due.
4. Then throughout my process trying to complete this “card”, I am able to drag and move the card to different lists.
5. I have created three lists, one list that says “To Do” another that says “In Process” and the final one to say “Complete”.
6. Dragging and dropping my cards between these lists helps me visually see where I am at in completing this card.
7. When I am done with a card, I can archive it. Which means it’ll disappear from my board but I also can bring it back if I need to.

Overall, I find Trello super user friendly. All aspects of Trello are customizable so I can fit it best to my needs. The colors are bright and cheery, and everything I need is accessible and ready from the home screen. A device that I use all the time in my environment is my toaster oven. I find that the really simple design makes it easy and self explanatory to use. Here is some of my thought process when using my toaster oven:

1. The toaster oven has three dials on the right hand side that you just twist to point at the correct icon that you want.
2. The first dial deals with how you would like to bake your item. (i.e. broil, toast, bake)
3. The second dial deals with temperature, and has all of the degree numbers on it.
4. The third dial has the time on it, and you can choose how long you would like your item to be in the oven.
5. Each dial has simple, easy to read icons that show you what they mean. They are also accompanied with a single word, in case you didn’t understand the icon.
6. For me, the icons help show me how dark I want my toast or if I want to bake something or just broil it.
7. The dials are all you really need to work the toaster oven, so it only takes about two turn of a dial to get started.

Overall I really appreciate how dumbed down the toaster oven process is. With icons accompanied with words and easy to use dials, anybody at any age should be able to use this toaster. There isn’t even an off and on button- just as soon as you turn the time dial it turns on, and once the time runs out it turns off.

VisCom 3: Blog Post #3

I really enjoyed Roman Mars’ TED Talk about flag design. Weirdly enough, this was a topic I have never thought about as a designer. Honestly, I also envisioned flags being designed by old people a really long time ago, and that there were no way those designs were ever to be changed. But I was wrong. Why shouldn’t flags be great designs? After hearing Roman Mars speak about how important these flags are as symbols of our country, state, or city, I realized the same goes for logos that represent a company, brand, or product. Great design principles should apply to a whole spectrum of design, including flag design. He shared 5 design principles for great flag design:

1. Keep it simple
2. Use meaningful symbolism
3. Use 2-3 basic colors
4. No lettering or seals
5. Be distinctive (or be related)

I think all these guidelines can easily be applied to logo design. The only principle that I could see not applying would be no lettering or seals. I think the idea of creating a design in a 1.5x3in square really allows you to see it in a way that pears down the essentials. Now I don’t think any of the design principles that Mars shared are unheard of or are revolutionary. These principles have probably been around for decades, and I know I’ve heard them before in school. But reiterating these principles is important to help us remember what is essential for efficient and successful design. Personally, I find it easy to get overwhelmed when working on a design, and sometimes as a result of this I feel like adding more and more layers, effects, words, or details is the answer. But remembering to keep it simple is such a good principle. I’ve heard the phrase before “keep it simple stupid” and I think I’m going to tell myself that and remember the horrendous Pocatello, Idaho flag design when I am in a design slump.

http://99percentinvisible.org/news/99-invisible-at-ted/

Interactive Media: Blog Post #2

Apple TV

• the remote is sleek, simple, and has a minimum number of buttons to keep my options streamlined and focused
• the home screen is visually very sleek and consistent with the Apple brand which makes me comfortable and at home
• I can always press the home button on the remote to take me back here if I ever get lost
• navigating is simple in up/down directions, and left/right to make my selection
• the colors are vibrant, again ringing true with the Apple brand design

Overall I love the flow, visual design, and simple essence of the Apple TV. This makes it easy for any user with any level of digital experience to use this product successfully.

Hair Straightener

• to begin using my Conair hair straightener I first have to plug it in
• a red light on the side shows me that it is on and working
• because of the high temperatures I have to find something heat resistant to set the straightener one while it is in use
• from past experience I know that failing to do this can result in a accident!
• once plugged in I look on the inside of the straightener to turn the dial to my desired temperature
• the temperature labels are very tiny and are the same color as the background, which makes it difficult for me to read
• I have to use my best judgement to see when the straightener is heated up
• I wish there was a way I could see when it was ready to be used, maybe the light would turn green instead of red

Overall I feel like there are a few usability flaws with the straightener. Not only are some things a little unclear, but could also prove to be a little dangerous for the user.

VisCom 3: Blog Post #2

The 99% (99U) Conference from 2010 was a brand that I thought was very well designed visually, but had some holes in the concept and brand as a whole. According to their website, “The goal of the 99U Conference is to shift the focus from idea generation to idea execution. Providing road-tested insights on how to make your ideas happen. We bring together some of the world’s most productive creative visionaries & leading researchers to share pragmatic insights on how ideas are brought to life.” From looking at the designs they definitely tried to make the theme apparent by just stating it. Literally that’s all they did- just type out things like “Make Ideas Happen” or “It’s Not About Ideas. It’s About Making Ideas Happen”. Yes, I do think the visuals of the conference were well done. Its clean, bold, and simple. But do those adjectives really fit well with the concept of making big ideas and making ideas happen? I don’t quite agree. While the design is good and visually appealing, I think overall it falls short in the concept department. I think they could have pushed the design further and made the look have more of a wow factor. For a conference focused on big ideas, I think they could’ve used a little more “big ideas” in the design. Nothing about the brand inspires me to have big ideas and to make my ideas happen. They should have strived to make it more edgy, have the wow factor, and more inspiring.