Final Project

Design Rationale

We’ve designed a creative project in order to present what Visual Communication has taught us this semester, which is graphical excellence. Graphical excellence gives the viewer the greatest number of ideas in the shortest time with the least ink in the smallest places. The basis of our project is the state of Rhode Island. We outlined the state on a big white foam board. We utilized fundamental models that we have learned and have been practicing throughout the semester to fill in the state. Six devices were used, each to describe a city/town in Rhode Island. We used collages, a concept map, pie graph, mind map, location map, and a bar graph.

Samantha was in charge of the towns Bristol and Narragansett, RI. Bristol was represented as a collage that incorporated all the special elements of the town. The collage is very linear which makes it clear and easy to see all the pieces. Although collages can be somewhat overwhelming with ideas, this one has low level of cognitive load since it is organized very neatly. Bigger words/images stand out in the collage, similarly to a TweetCloud. Attention first goes to the words ‘Bristol Pheonix,’ ‘Hawks,’ ‘1776 Liquors’, etc. The origional collage made was 8.5” by 11”, however did not fit inside the area of the state on the poster board. We had to cut the collage up in order to arrange it in the physical shape necessary.

Samantha represented Narragansett as a concept map. This was very effective in showing the main aspect of the town (beaches) as well as all the associations one can make, for example, the beer, Narragansett. The concept map is simple in that it doesn’t include images or color (other than the title Narragansett). The concept map is a diagram showing the relationships among concepts. This graphical tool organizes and represents the knowledge of Narragansett clearly and effectively.

Diandra was responsible for the towns of Newport and Warwick. Newport was presented as a bar graph showing some brief history for five local mansions in the town. Along with creating a bar graph, using excel, a chart was also necessary to explain the information given. The data provided the names of each mansion along with the year each was built in, the architecture style/and or architect and
lastly the overall price for constructing the mansions during that time period.

Diandra created a mind map for the representation of Warwick. The mind map was revolved around the main airport in Rhode Island, T.F. Green. Although T.F. Green is normally referred to be located in Providence, it is actually located in Warwick, R.I. The mind map was constructed with the center as an airplane and showed all the necessary steps one needs to do in order to fly. The theme of the mind map was the process of booking a flight following the instructions of check in and locating the proper flight.

Ryan designed a Pie Graph for his first visual that depictefter d the percentage of the Race variety from Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Using five different colors, one color for each race, it is easily visible that Woonsocket is made up of mostly Caucasians, with a small mix of Black, Asian and Hispanic/Latinos that reside all over the city.

The second visual that Ryan designed consisted of mapping out the hot spots of Providence, Rhode Island. Researching mainly around the city, the map uses color coded symbols to display where things are such as restaurants, shopping areas and hotels for when you have to spend a night. The map is split by the canal which runs all the way through Providence, acting as a divider between some of the shopping areas and colleges of Providence.

After the six towns were placed in the correct locations inside the state of Rhode Island, we created a holistic collage to identify more specific areas and characteristics of the state of RI.

Personal Response

After finishing our final group project I feel as though we accomplished the goal of this assignment. We all put in our own parts to the project and worked very well as a group. Overall I was very happy with the turn out of our project and we did inquire a lot of information learned throughout the class. I really enjoyed working with my group and we all contributed equally and got a long great. I think that our board really demonstrates the information learned throughout the year. I had fun researching, and putting together the project with my group. I was very proud with our final results and feel we did a great job laying out the information.

Multivarient

Design Ration:

I researched the current fees for Roger Williams University students for the costs for commuters, residents, room and board. After researching the proper information, I opened up excel and started plotting the information in the information in. After inserting the numbers I created a graph of the information provided. The graph gives the viewer a better idea of the rates of the costs for students. This assignment was very simple and easy to do. I am very proud of my work along with my work from the entire year.

Story Board

The story being told is a soccer team, in the middle of the game when an opponent kicks the other player. The player was nasty for kicking the other player that way. Immediately after the painful looking kick, the rest of the teammates get so upset and start a fight against the opposing team. Even local children soccer players watch the match and feel the pain for the player as well. The player obviously was penalized for the kick to the other player.

The audience was shocked by the players actions. One man stuck out in the crowd who looks as though he is praying for the player who was kicked. The sends out his positive vibes to the wounded player. The soccer game ended in the fight and will resume on a later day.

Next Story:

This is a story about a little girl lost in the woods. She is looking for her family. She starts to panic and then sees a deer which calms her down and makes her not fear as much before. The deer runs away shortly after she glances at it.

From what seems to be hours for the girl, when in reality was only a few minutes, she finally reunites with her family! She is thrilled to find her family and runs after them and stays by their side for the rest of the walk in the woods.

Table:

For my simple chart I chose to look at the number of applicants, acceptances, % of Applicant Accepted and New Freshman from 2004-2008. I googled "roger williams university undergraduate" and searched for my information needed. It was definitely interesting researching information about RWU since I go here I should know the different ratios of class acceptances. I actually had problems in excell for this assignment, on a few occassions when I was typing in a number it kept making it a percent even though I manually tried to change it. I tried fixing it over and over but it still kept doing it! And it was at random too, as you can see under 2004 applica

nts it's as a percent when it should be 6,196. It did the same thing with the acceptances for 2005 it should be 5,444. Also for applicants for 2008 it should be 8,921 and new freshman should be 954. I am really confused as to why this kept happening. Out of all our assignments this was by far my least favorite, I really don't enjoy using excell and haven't had enough background practice in it.

Bar Graph:

Line Graph

Flow Charts

For my amazon.com flow chart I had to simplify the steps for purchasing a book on the site. I have never used amazon before so this was all new to me, so I was learning along while I created my flow chart. It was a little difficult at first because I actually made an account so I could get a better feel for the flow chart, which I have shown in my chart. I think I made my flow chart easy to understand and I feel as though anyone who has never used the site can understand my directions like I did! My aha moment definitely at the end when I succeeded in my task!!

For my google scholar search flow chart I included all the necessary steps in order to find the proper source. I used different shapes to represent such as the oval for the beginning and ending shapes. I included the questions that one should ask when researching a subject. It seems complicated by writing down each detailed step but once you follow the direction of the flow chart it becomes much easier to understand. My aha moment was once again when I completed the chart, it was a moment of relief that I had achieved my goal!

Explanation Graphic

For my explanation graphic I chose the human heart and the way the blood flows. As you can see I used an image that did not have enough information and added onto the image by including arrows and more information to make is less confusing. Next I added color and arrows to make the image to be complete and self explanatory. And finally I labeled the different parts of the heart and the way in which blood flows. It is much easier to understand my last graphic compared to my first.

So basically I started off from an image without any description to it. The next image I added a little more detail. Then my final image I drew out the heart and used arrows and different colors to make it easier to understand. Then the final step was to add labels! aha! I created an explanation graphic!!

How to make a Spaghetti Dinner

Design Rationale:

When creating my "how to make a spaghetti dinner" I first I had to think about all the steps that were required and imagine how it would look drawing out images of the steps. My first step was of course to wash your hands, because no one wants dirty hands making dinner! Then next i took the box of spaghetti and took it out, after that I broke the spaghetti in half. Following a pot, filling it with water and putting it on the stove to boil. I used a clock without numbers to represent time. Next I needed a strainer, pasta sauce a plate and a fork and aha! I had just created a spaghetti dinner! I'm hungry from all this drawing!! I must say this project sounded easy but was time consuming trying to get everything right. But in the end result it all worked out.

Lawncare Sketch

Design Rationale:

For the lawncare sketch I was apprehensive at first with what I was to do, then after talking it through with other people from class I began to feel more comfortable and began drawing little sketches. It was definitely a challenge coming up for pictures or symbols to represent the items. For days where tempertures reached over 90 degrees and had dry grass, I drew my grass looking dry and sunny. On days that reached over 90degrees and there were pests I drew in little bugs. On Days that were wet I added raindrops (I am not an artist keep in mind!!). The days that were cool I had a snow man representing the cooler temperature. My aha moment definitely occurred when I figured out which symbols I was going to use and that made the most sense.

sketch3:collage

When creating my collage I had the mindset of just finding words and pictures that really stood out to me. I didn't really have any pattern for the designing of my collage. I did try to arrange the words to best represent the pictures. I started with cutting pictures out of the magazine then realized it was taking too much time and just ripped out the images instead. I did my best to have the collage make some sense and have some relevance to one another.

Concept Map

For my concept map I decided to focus on "college" and the different aspects of it. I went into the educational aspect of college and also the social networking as well. When creating this I just kept adding on with arrows. This is just a small interpretation of what I think college is about. I kept this sketch with only using 4 colors. It was difficult using just four colors, I would have liked to use more colors but I wanted to see how it would look this way. I had "college" being the only word in black, thus making emphasis on the word and showing its importance. In conclusion I think I did a pretty good job on labeling the basic aspects of college and what it means to me.

Visual Comm-01/Gordon

Map 1: For my first mind map I tried mapping out the key components in my life. I was unhappy with my first sketch so i did it again and am much happier with the end result. I started out my writing my name in the center of the page and then began to form lines writing different things in my life.

Map 2: I focused on my new apartment that I am moving into and all the things that I need to make my place complete and feel like home. This project has actually helped me a lot, it gives me a visual perspective of what I need to get for my apartment. Now that I have everything laid out on paper I think that my process of moving will be much easier.

Conclusion: I definitely feel that mind mapping is a great exercise to do. It helps organize ones thoughts and ideas. I look forward to mind mapping more in the future.

For my concept map I decided to focus on "college" and the different aspects of it. I went into the educational aspect of college and also the social networking as well. When creating this I just kept adding on with arrows. This is just a small interpretation of what I think college is about. I kept this sketch with only using 4 colors. It was difficult using just four colors, I would have liked to use more colors but I wanted to see how it would look this way. I had "college" being the only word in black, thus making emphasis on the word and showing its importance. In conclusion I think I did a pretty good job on labeling the basic aspects of college and what it means to me.