Information graphics primer

March 12, 2010 at 9:31 am
Filed under Data Visualization

“Dona Wong is an expert in conceptualizing and producing information graphics that are easily understood by millions of demanding readers on a daily basis. Drawing on her years of experience as a visual journalist for both The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, she offers her insights on how to communicate with clear, concise, and intelligent graphics in her new book, The Wall Street Journal Guide to Information Graphics, a critical area of visual communications that impacts everyone.” — A.M.

Hot (EGD) Reads you missed in 2009

January 4, 2010 at 9:38 am
Filed under Books, Data Visualization, Design Process, Graphic Design, Signage, Wayfinding

We know you got a little behind on your reading in 2009, but it’s on your list of resolutions for 2010, right?

So the SEGD staff compared notes and devised this list of the Top 5 EGD (or related to EGD) Books published in 2009.

1. The Wayfinding Handbook: Information Design for Public Places, by David Gibson

Gibson’s book has quickly become a top-shelf reference guide for environmental graphic designers and those interested in wayfinding. The co-founder of Two Twelve provides a practical guide to the design of wayfinding systems, from “finding the hidden logic” in complex environments to building an effective project team.

2. Information Design Workbook, by Kim Baer

Well, OK, this was published in May 2008, so we cheated a little. But a new paperback edition will be out next month. It’s a comprehensive approach to information design, including an entire section devoted to EGD, contributed by Wayne Hunt of Hunt Design.

3. Data Flow: Visualising Information in Graphic Design

As the world—and the data generated by it—rapidly becomes more complex, data visualization is coming into its own as a design discipline. A cast of designer/editors presents 256 pages of inspiring, innovative designs.

4. MUTCD

The first new version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in six years was released by the Federal Highway Administration on December 16. It includes a new Community Wayfinding section that provides allowances for communities developing urban wayfinding systems.

5. Typographic Conundrums, by Harry Pearce

Just for kicks, and for the love of type, peek into the Pentagram partner’s funhouse of typographic puzzles.

And while you’re getting your reference shelves organized, you might want to consider SEGD’s Essential Reading list for EGD practitioners. Enjoy! — P.M.K.

Victorian infographics

December 22, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Filed under Data Visualization

Because, really, who can get enough Victorian infographics?  This one, for instance, is a “time table indicating the difference in time between the principal cities of the World and also showing their air-line distance from Washington.” — A.M.

Digital dive

December 16, 2009 at 9:16 am
Filed under Data Visualization, Digital design

Further proof that digital design has come into its own as an art and communication form is a new show at London’s venerable Victoria & Albert museum. “Decode: Digital Design Sensations” is derived only from the museum’s own collections, but it manages to paint a (digital) picture of the medium, how and why it has evolved over the past three decades, and where it may be heading.

The “Digital Pioneers” area of the exhibition focuses on early computer-generated imagery, and the show also includes numerous examples of data visualization. Works such as John Maeda’s Nature (pictured) show how programmer/artist/designers use the raw data of computer code in the same way more traditional artists use paint or clay. And examples such as Aaron Koblin’s Flight Patterns illustrate the interconnection of mobile technologies and the Internet. All to say, digital design is no longer just for geeks. — P.M.K.

Bright shiny graphics

December 7, 2009 at 9:20 am
Filed under Books, Communication, Data Visualization

All we need to make some sense of this crazy mixed-up world is…..graphics? London-based data and visual journalist David McCandless thinks so.

“I’m interested in how designed information can help us understand the world, cut through BS and reveal hidden connections, patterns and stories underneath,” says McCandless, whose new book  The Visual Miscellaneum: A Colorful Guide to the World’s Most Consequential Trivia  was published last month by HarperCollins.

The Visual Miscellaneum is a field guide to the Information Age, covering topics as wide-ranging as guilty pleasures, condiments, and Internet search terms. But no pie charts. “My pet-hate is pie charts,” says McCandless. “Love pie. Hate pie-charts.” –P.M.K.

Farewell to Harry Beck’s 1931 tube map?

November 30, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Filed under Data Visualization, Graphic Design, Transportaton, Wayfinding

Might the Oyster card swipe the world-famous London Underground map off the walls of tube stations for ever? From the beginning of 2010, Oyster cards can be used for travel on all public transport services in Greater London including tube trains, buses, trams, suburban trains, the Docklands Light Railway and Thames Clipper river boats. What this revolution in ticketing means is that Londoners and visitors to the capital will be able to travel seamlessly above, below and across the city, as well as out to its farthest-flung suburbs. Only sensible, but what of the tube map? …because an Oyster-generation map will need to show all the routes available to card users, the design has become too limited in its scope.” — L.G.D.

Retinal display translation glasses

November 3, 2009 at 9:02 am
Filed under Communication, Data Visualization, Human Interaction, Research, Spatial Experience, Technology, Wayfinding

“The prototype device called a ‘Tele Scouter‘ is a glasses type display that translates the foreign language being spoken by a partner and projects the translation onto a tiny retinal display.” Ouch? — A.M.

PhotoSketch

November 1, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Filed under Data Visualization, Design Process, Design Tools, Technology

Drop some line drawings and labels into this program (created by University of Singapore students) and out comes a Photoshopped image to match.  Awesome. — A.M.

Watching the clock – literally

September 14, 2009 at 9:02 am
Filed under Data Visualization

An SEGD member once said that his job is to organize the world.  Imagine if your world came with color organized by smell or smell by sound.  That’s the world of synesthesia — synaesthesia to the Brits.  British scientist Holly Brannigan “sees” time. — A.M. King of California dvdripThe International ipod

• Reign Over Me buy

You. On the Internet. In color.

August 19, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Filed under Data Visualization

Personas Sugar divx

Excalibur dvd

, developed by the MIT Media Lab, lets you know just what the Internet thinks of how you – or anyone – appear there, using color bars to denote your participation in different areas.  Your devoted blogger is now somewhat depressed. — A.M. King Arthur psp