For better or worse, I don't generally view graphic design through the lens of fine art. Despite my increased awareness of design's role in the world by virtue of my concentration, I experience design most frequently in the same way anyone else would: through billboards for movies, flyers promoting DJs, coupons for lattes, and packaging for toys. However, the most significant interactions I have with design come from something infinitely practical, but less commercial: information design.
The work I seek out most in my free time tends to be design that helps make sense of the world. Infographics in particular, (like the ones submitted to Good Magazine in their frequent graphic design contests) inspire me. This type of design makes a visual argument for visual learners, and helps give the average person a concrete form to all the highly abstract information we're bombarded with. Design can help a person understand the magnitude of a problem. It can help them predict problems and lead them to finding solutions. Design helps us find relevance and comprehension in an environment that's so well-connected and so fast paced, we could find ourselves constantly overwhelmed (I know I do). We can't possibly keep up with all there is to keep up with. Design organizes the chaos, and points out the stuff we should pay the most attention to.
Check out the massive archives of Good design: http://www.good.is/infographics
I am thinking very similarly for capstone. I took a information visualization class this past quarter and it so interesting to see how this form of graphics has evolved, from cartography to the interactive data we click on everyday, such as to look at the weather. Its much more than the display of a set of data, but finding the best possible way to communicate the information, which can always be modified towards a certain opinion graphically, whether or not the data is honest. Designers have a great power in this field- data graphics is in the media everywhere and it is meant for everyone to be able to understand it.
ReplyDeleteFor this class we had a great book, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, by the leader in info graphics, Edward Tufte. I'll bring it in for you if you want. His actual theories on the best methods for designing in this way are really interesting and kind of go against our natural reactions as fine art designers, where everything can be simplified, the less "data ink" the better is how his theory is described.
In regards to the project I came thinking about data graphics because after taking the class I was very disoriented about all of the graphical images I was seeing. First of all, the majority of data graphics are very poorly designed, as a designer it makes me cringe. I also, became very disheartened in thinking about how many people these images reach. I agree with you in that with all of the chaos designers are supposed to give our eyes a rest and give us answers amongst the overload. I think that many designers have the gift in being able to sifting through information and finding what is valuable. But, then when we do so, who is to say what is the best way to present the information if we have the power to sway it in any direction? If that makes sense. In the end, I really like the idea that design "is a universal matter- like mathematics- and isn't tied to the unique features of a particular language." (Tufte) Things to think about, we should talk!
Visual information graphics are very useful, since a lot of people I know, including myself, are visual learners.
ReplyDeleteCreating charts and the like tends to make my head explode, so kudos to those of you who can do it well. And I am with you on the not seeing graphic design as fine art. I see it in a more utilitarian manner.
ReplyDeleteGood.is always has amazing info graphics. I love their website and how they display information. It's very straightforward and readable; short, sweet, and to the point for our fast paced world. Organizing a lot of heavy information can be hard, but Good does a great job of it. Very nice inspiration there.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
ReplyDeleteInfo graphics is very intriguing to me and I can see how necessary it is in society~ not only by communicating important information but by communicating in a successful way that can actually be comprehended by the populace.
As someone who also learns better visually, I have always thought info graphics was something very helpful for me.
ReplyDeleteInfo graphics reminds me of the earliest forms of writing in human civilization, especially hieroglyphics, which seem really hard to understand, but I feel the reason they seem hard is because we just aren't used to something that simple. Info graphics is like the contemporary way of communicating an idea through a graphic.
ReplyDeleteInfo graphics is probably one of the design mediums I look at the least which is interesting because I do find it fascinating. It's always nice to see creative work literally teach people about the world and what's going on.
ReplyDeleteCheck out http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/2009/the-visual-miscellaneum/
ReplyDeleteHe has a lot of great infographs on everything from war to movies. I have the book somewhere in my apartment, if you'd like to borrow it.
I really enjoyed the infographics site! It's very inspiring and makes me want to learn more about the art of infographics.
ReplyDeleteDesign organizes the chaos, and points out the stuff we should pay the most attention to.
Totally agreed. Designers have a whole lot of power that way, a lot more than most people give us credit for.
Infographics work so well because icon images are universal! For anyone who can't/won't read, following images can relieve frustration and make things move faster.
ReplyDeleteInfographics can help to spread your message and attract attention from readers through this media, both print and web. Infograhic definitely make information comprehendible.
ReplyDeleteagain I agree with everyone above I don't generally see graphic design as fine art but more as informational.
ReplyDeleteive always been a visual learner, so im all about this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the statement "design organizes the chaos". However the danger with that becomes oversimplification.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy info graphics. I find that a lot of my work is simplistic and clean. Info graphics try and simplify information for the viewer, while still being visually appealing. The website that you posted has a lot of great work also!
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