Tag: design

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Mapping the visual – redux

I was asked to host a “visual mapping” session to support SFU students interested in in the, “Map the System challenge“, a global competition on social and environmental change. Last year was my first dive into this, and was a treat although I felt a bit rushed. This was another great opportunity to reflect on the Going Visual program , and expand it from the what and how of visual communication, to consider the space and layout of the communication itself, the map.

I’m yet to be convinced that a visual “map” is the best way to frame these visual approaches, with most of the 2018 winners seeming to create infographics. IT was fun nonetheless to research some inspirational visuals that may inform, inspire and guide this years contestants. It’s also one of the first times I have put together a formal slide deck for these. Embedded here, including links, Summary and additional resources below.

In encouraged students that a visual map could take many different forms, depending on the data and message they want to convey. It could include forms such as infographics, diagrams/charts, posters, comics, photography, iconography and more. Last years 3rd place winners, has a fantastic infographic that used icons very effectively.

Visual Practice
I have been meaning to move my visual practice portfolio, from flickr to my own site, but for now…

One of the best resources I found to not only describe the many directions that could be taken with this project is How To Think Visually Using Visual Analogies – Infographic

In this article, Anna Vital outlines and illustrates practically all of the visual thinking approaches, in order of complexity and building towards storytelling. The most powerful visual format of all. Her tips on how to find the best visual analogy?

Follow 5 principles:

  1. It looks familiar to most of people
  2. It has a structure
  3. It matches your narrative’s structure
  4. It is visible (something that can be seen)
  5. It is visual (something that is easy to see)

For info visualization I included the following links for exploration.
1. http://visualizationuniverse.com
2. https://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/
3. http://www.minnasundberg.fi/
4. https://adioma.com/?ref=anna.vc

I also explored some of the language we often take for granted in this work, there are so many disciplines and practices to consider. Especially when googling for eg. The article describing the difference between visual thinking and design thinking I found useful. In it, Matt Morasky offers this high level insight. Many of the students being from Beedie School of business have heard of design thinking as a methodology, but it’s a handy reminder.

Simply put, design thinking is a method for problem solving.
Visual thinking, on the other hand, is a set of tools for making intangible or complex ideas visible.

Matt Morasky from XPLANE

For visual thinking I included the following links for exploration.
1. https://xblog.xplane.com
2. https://www.nngroup.com/articles/journey-mapping-101/
3. http://scottmccloud.com/
4. https://leanpub.com/visualthinkingworkbook
5. https://www.verbaltovisual.com/
6. https://visualsinprogress.com/

For Going Visual resources I included the following links for exploration
1. http://edmedia.tlc.sfu.ca/goingvisual/
2. https://thenounproject.com/
3. http://4panel.ca/
4. http://kyletezak.com/four-icon-challenge.html


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I can icon (towards a text/image remix assignment)

Just a fun little wordplay as I like to do some times, thinking about a potential new visual assignments for EdMedia practitioners.

Push-button-receive-baconWe do a lot of exploration in visual recording information in the Going Visual module, but our discussion last week got into some of the nuances involved in using text and image together. We always get a positive response on the “Icon Jam” activity, and I have wanted add to our assignment collection with the idea of “Remaking meaning” by adding new (and surprising) text to common and seemingly universal icons, signs and symbols. I was inspired by the above “Push Button Receive Bacon” meme and wondering how difficult it would be to come up with something like this yourself. Continue reading “I can icon (towards a text/image remix assignment)”

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Icon a go-go

In last weeks hands on workshop we asked our participants to do an “icon jam”, essentially a visual brainstorming activity, in which we collaboratively (and quickly) generate a series of icons based, and then share the results afterwords and discuss. This can be a challenge for those that have not had a lot of experience drawing, but I believe people come away with a better understanding of the subjective nature of visual language, and that ‘getting it right’ is not as important as making an impact.

Icon Jam 2015 Gallery

 

Icons will no doubt continue to play an important role in many of the educational media assets being created in our course, so I thought I would share a few extra online resources to help you find and make them, as well as a BONUS CHALLENGE you can use to practice your icon making skills.  But first.. some resources! Continue reading “Icon a go-go”