Visual Journal

Death Star two page spread from Lego Star Wars : The Visual Dictionary

1)What is the purpose of the information design. What did you learn from the information?

The intention behind the design of the Death Star spread in the Lego Star Wars Visual Dictionary is to define the subject (the Death Star), and to inform the viewer of the anatomy of the Lego model of the Death Star.

2) What specific characteristics made the information design successful?

This design was successful through use of large, crisp photos of the assembled Lego model, as well as an in depth labeling system identifying a multitude of parts and details of the ship. The design also includes information regarding the specific details of the product itself, including date of manufacture, dimensions, and parts included.

3) Where there any failing characteristics of the information design [chart junk? aesthetic issues? lack of information]? If so why did they hinder the clarification of understanding the facts?

While the large format of the main photographs help to balance the amounts of text and image, the design remains to be slightly heavy on text given that the book is intended for ages seven and up.

USDA Food Nutrition Poster

1) What is the purpose of the information design. What did you learn from the information?

This poster is an official USDA guide for food nutrition, and is very similar to the familiar food pyramid. However instead of a pyramid the design features a dinner plate with four sections indicating specific food groups which when combined and proportioned correctly results in the proper nutritional sustenance as specified by the USDA.

2) What specific characteristics made the information design successful?

This design is somewhat successful through use of unambiguous graphics and bold color to indicate the different food groups. There is also a successful visual hierarchy that makes the poster fairly easy to read intuitively.

3) Where there any failing characteristics of the information design [chart junk? aesthetic issues? lack of information]? If so why did they hinder the clarification of understanding the facts?

The design has plenty of aesthetic issues including tacky graphics and colors schemes. The poster also lacks actual quantitative nutritional statistics about the different food groups, nor does it feature physical portion sizes, only a rough pie chart of appropriate proportions.

Futon Frame Assembly Instructions

1)What is the purpose of the information design. What did you learn from the information?

The purpose of this design is to instruct a consumer on how to assemble a futon frame.

2) What specific characteristics made the information design successful?

The design is successful by using clearly labeled icons of each individual part of the bed frame, as well as through the labeling of each part by letter, and instcutions on each step of assembly.

3) Where there any failing characteristics of the information design [chart junk? aesthetic issues? lack of information]? If so why did they hinder the clarification of understanding the facts?

The design lacks a clear numeric order of the steps of assembly, as well as the lack of a diagram depicting the final fully assembled frame. This hindered the designs clarification of understanding by not showing the audience the end product, as well as by confusion through a lack of specificity in its instructions.