Information Design - Project 1: Instructable Infographics

26 Jan 2023 - 24 Feb 2023 (Week 3 - Week 7)

Vincent Lee // 0359386

Information Design // Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media // Taylor's University

Project 1: Instructable Infographics

Section 1

LIST <span id="LIST"></span>

Design Process

Part 1: Breakdown and Poster
Part 2: Animated Infographic

Feedback

Reflection

Instructions

Drive Submission Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KYMVCPzXdQU6Z1TgHSpN_QWldsoH6Uac?usp=share_link

Project 1: Instructable Infographics Poster

For this project, we are require to create an infographic poster from any one video of Pasta Grannies. Then breakdown and chunk the preparation and cooking process into an instructable poster. The poster should have apply the knowledge from FLIP 3: Miller's Law (Chunking).

Requirements

- Use the assets from the poster into a 60 seconds motion graphics
- Resolution: 720p: 1280 x 720 pixels and published to Youtube
- Use Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe After Effects only

Part 1 - Breakdown and Poster

Figure 1.1 - Pasta Grannies: Celebrate Christmas with Giulia's Cappelletti

I had chosen Italian food - Cappelletti for this project as I likely to celebrate my birthday surround with Italian food.

Figure 1.2 - Information Breakdown - docs, Week 4 (02 Feb 2023)

To visualise the cooking process, I typed down the recipe on a document and separate into different section such as preparation of broth, filling, making of dough and etc.

Figure 1.3 - Collected Sources, Week 4 (02 Feb 2023)

After breakdown the information, I downloaded images from the internet for me to visualise the cooking process in the poster and animating video.

Figure 1.4 - Visual References, Week 4 (02 Feb 2023)

sources: Lobster and Swan, Pinterest

Instead of using factory assembly line-style recipe posters, I opted for a simple and homey design that resembles mother's cookbook. Additionally, it would be a great idea to use two of the posters placed at the bottom left as placemats in restaurants. This would allow customers to try replicating the dishes on their own and have a hands-on experience with the recipes.

Figure 1.5- Layout Sketches, Week 4 (02 Feb 2023)

Before creating the poster, I had sketches a few layouts to identify those ideas that work and those that don't.

Figure 1.6 - Used Icons, Week 5 (09 Feb 2023)

In this steps, I had utilise features in Photoshop - quick selection tool and AI - Image Trace, to remove the background of the images. All the icons chosen have the similar art styles for visualising the cooking process. I also look out for colour palette. The colour picked was earthy tone which are brown and grey.

Layout Progressions

Week 5

- with Mr. Hafiz

Figure 1.7 - Layout #1_Vertical, Week 5 (09 Feb 2023)

Week 6 (after 1st feedback)

Figure 1.8 - Layout #2_Squared, Week 6 (16 Feb 2023)

Figure 1.9 - Layout #3_Landscape, Week 6 (17 Feb 2023)

Week 7 (after 2nd consultation)

- with Mr. Martin

Figure 1.10 - Improvised Layout #1, Week 7 (24 Feb 2023)

After attempts in three different sizes of canvas. I decided to use landscape for doing my infographic poster. In this attempt, based on Mr. Hafiz feedback, I had amended the font type and weight and the colour combination of the background and boxes to enhance readability. Besides, I had change the food illustrations and use Photoshop's quick selection tool to select and mask, as well as feather and adjust contrast to smooth out curved surfaces.

Figure 1.11 - Improvised Layout #2, Week 7 (24 Feb 2023)

In this attempts, I had made the following changes:

Underline the title
Remove the boxes and replace with dotted line
Centred the instructions
Change the font colour to match with the background

Final Instructable Infographic

Figure 1.10 - Final Project 1: Instructable Infographic - "Cappelletti"_jpeg, Week 7 (26 Feb 2023)

Mediums: Illustrators and Photoshop

Font used: Phosphate - Inline (Title), Avenir Next Condensed - Regular, Italic (Text), Marker Felt - Wide (Instructions)

I chose this particular design as my final poster because of its effective use of color and layout. The color combination enhances the readability of the instructions, while the squared layout provides a clear contrast with the oval-shaped food illustration. Moreover, the changes made in this final attempt are:

Remove the underline and replace it with dotted line
Remove and rotate the dotted frame to balance the overall visual design

Figure 1.11 - Final of Project 1: Instructable Infographic - "Cappelletti"_pdf, Week 7 (26 Feb 2023)

Part 2 - Animated Infographic

Figure 2.1 - Layouts, Week 7 (24 Feb 2023)

Before animating, I created layouts to plan the order of appearance by organizing the ingredients and making process for each step on a canvas.

Figure 2.2 - Layouts Overview, Week 7 (24 Feb 2023)

After trying out several layout and color options, I ultimately chose this particular layout because its alignment is ergonomic and easy to read. Moreover, the colour scheme chosen is same as in Fig 1.10.

Animating Progressions #1

STEP 1:

- Group the design attempts by colour.

Figure 2.3 - Separating layers based on colour attempts, Week 7 (24 Feb 2023)

Since I had created several attempts at the poster design and all of them were under a single layer, I needed to categorize them by color and then by layout. The following are the steps I took to categorize and organize the design attempts:

STEP 2:

- Categories the design attempts by layout

Figure 2.4 - Breakdown layers, Week 7 (24 Feb 2023)

In this step, I further broke down the layers by separating the icons and texts into individual layers. This allowed me to have more control during the animation process, as I could manipulate each element separately.

STEP 3:

- Import AI files to After Effects

- Group and rename each folders and layers

Figure 2.5 - Importing to After Effects, Week 7 (24 Feb 2023)

STEP 4:

- Apply motion blur and 3D layer

- Adjust anchor point

- Animation: Position, Scale, Rotation, Opacity

- Add keyframes to the timeline

- Apply Easy Ease to all the keyframes

Figure 2.6 - Animating_Timeline Panel, Week 7 (24 Feb 2023)

Several experiments were carried out to determine the speed and appearance of each layer, particularly the texts and icons. This was done to ensure that the animation could be completed within the given 60-second timeframe. However, it was eventually decided that it was more important to make the animation smooth and visually appealing, rather than trying to cram everything in the allotted time.

STEP 5:
- Create bounce effect

Figure 2.7 - Scale Property_Bounce Effect, Week 7 (24 Feb 2023)

I made a bounce effect on the final layout/frame by determining the time for the icons/texts to appear and then adding a keyframe with a larger number to create the bouncing effect.

Figure 2.8 - Animated Infographic (Attempt 1), Week 7 (24 Feb 2023)

Animating Progressions #2

STEP 6:

- Select all the layers

- Cmd + U, reveal all keyframes and their properties

- Remove the fading effects during transition, the opacity keyframes of each layer were removed.

Figure 2.9 - Alterations based on feedback, Week 7 (25 Feb 2023)

(left: BEFORE, right: AFTER)

Based on Mr. Martin's feedback, I removed the keyframes that were added to create the fading effects during the transition to the next scene/layout.

Final Animated Infographic

Figure 2.10 - Final of Project 1: Animated Infographic, Week 7 (26 Feb 2023)

Mediums: After Effects

Animation: Position, Scale, Rotation, Opacity

Additional Properties: Motion Blur, 3D Layer, Easy Ease

Feedback

Week 6

Poster Layout 1

The size of the images/icons can be a bit bigger. There is quite a big of negative (empty) space can use. Also add some interesting hierarchy on the text. Different sizes and also emphasis on the quantity and quality.. such as timing, volume, weight and etc.

Week 7

Fig 1.9 - Poster Layout #3_Landscape

Posters 3 looks ok, because of the spacing. The top part with the picture, maybe keep it illustrated. Also maybe either darken the box background or use bolder text for the instructions,

Fig. 1.10 - Improvised Layout #1

No boxes please. Use design to manipulate viewer eye line and attention.

Fig. 2.8 - Animated Infographic

Nice video to watch, well done. Only thing suggest is to amend the scene transition. Instead of opacity, apply motion blur and slide it out fast.

Reflection

During the 8-week learning journey, I had fun and the workload was manageable. The lecturers were helpful and provided guidance to complete each task. I learned a lot about visualising data using coins, which is a cool way to show information. Organising information in posters using LATCH theory is easy to understand. I also learned how to make cooking easier by using pictures and animations to explain complicated steps and ingredients. I found out that moving pictures and words (motion graphics and kinetic typography) can help to explain things in a fun way. Illustrating and animating based on a script and audio about burnout was tough, but working with my team was enjoyable. Overall, I gained many new techniques and knowledge on how to use After Effects. I'm glad I had this opportunity to learn, and I'm excited to use what I've learned in future projects.

Quick Links

FLIP Topics & Class Exercises

Exercises

Project 2: Motion Graphics

Final Project: Animated Infographic

Vincent Lee | 0359386

Information Design - Project 1: Instructable Infographics

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