Gamification Brochure

Project Description:

For your final project, you will propose a specific subject/topic that is interesting to you and that lends itself to an information design piece. Choose something that you want to live with for the next four weeks.

It must contain information that can be translated visually into a multi-page/multi-screen information design solution. It must reflect a synthesis of what you have learned this semester as an information designer.

Issues Encountered:

“How do I make Gamification more interesting?” was the first thought that popped into my head when I got involved in this project. I wanted to create a brochure about Gamification, the importance of it as well as some factual evidence. However, I initially couldn’t see a way to make a concept created from ideals and beliefs into a physical and appealing form.

Solution:

I decided to create my brochure around game-related vector art, in order to give the eyes a break from walls of text. I used large, bold text to separate different sections, so that the reader could easily gloss through and read sections that they are curious about.

Christopher Columbus Booklet

Project Description:

Display your information design solution that shows your knowledge of typography, grid, color and imagery into one composition. Design a two page magazine spread using the following guidelines:

Page size = 8.5 x 12, so 17" wide x 12" high spread.
Use only two typefaces but as many fonts (variations within typeface family) as you wish.
Choose one easily readable typeface for body text.
Can use color for communicating message of article, etc. but use colors from your imagery for harmony.
Use imagery provided but not all of the images. Must have a minimum of 2 including one portrait or ship image and one map, and a maximum of 3 images. You may crop imagery and add design elements, but do not distort.
Use principles of composition and typography as discussed in class during lectures.

Issues Encountered:

There was a lot of text, so much text that it didn't seem appropriate to inject a random image of a ship, map or imagery as it only vaguely hints about Christopher Columbus. I also wanted to be careful with color choices, as I didn’t want to overpower or strain the eyes with obnoxious colors. Drawing the eyes to certain areas (such as the myths section) without detracting from the narrative itself.

Solution:

I decided to stick with red, beige and black as my main sources of color; I wanted it to give off a old-timesy feel to my design. Using the boldest color, red, I used it as a header to draw in attention to various sections without taking up too much space. I truly wanted to give some context to the images, as I wanted them to serve a purpose, so I added brackets to signify the importance, as well as make the captain red. I also decided to use a sans serif font, to add to the cleanness of the overall design.

Coke Cola, Stylized

Project Description:

Act as if you are the designer or a designer from the movement that you just presented. You must create a design solution for a one page letter (8.5 " x 11") sized color advertisement for Coca Cola. Remember create/design it as if you are the designer/movement from your initial project. I had chosen Barbara Kruger.

Issues Encountered:

Kruger was a not quiet about how she felt about social injustices. However... with a plain product like Coke Cola... I wasn't quite sure what her stance on it would've been. I looked over some pro-cola and anti-cola controversies.

Solution:

After researching a bit more about Coke Cola, I found an article that stated that Coke Cola used to use actual Coke in their soda pops. In my interpretation of Kruger, I was so sure she'd be against such a crime. I created two designs for an anti-cola ad, mimicking Kruger's style. The first one was a more cheeky, bold statement, while the "Chemically Intoxicated" felt as if it were up to the reader to interpret. I definitely chose "Like Poison?" design over the other.

Barbara Kruger Booklet

Project Description:

Research an information designer or information design movement, present 5 visual examples of his/her or its work that exemplifies it best and recreate their style in a booklet. I had chosen to research more about Barbara Kruger.

Issues Encountered:

Kruger's work is fantastic. It's simple, refined yet bold. However, one concern I had was the thickness of the Helvetica Neue font she used. It was so thick that I couldn't get as much information within the booklet as I would've liked to.

Solution:

I chose to use smaller font and use whites on top of reds to make certain text stand out more. I also chose to use a grey background, to symbolize her love of photography and how she implemented it into her designs.