Module 1 Part 1

For the first part of Module 1 we were asked to create a mind-map. The idea for it was supposed to occur during one of Professor Blume's lectures. I decided to take notes for mine during the chat about the 'Vocabulary of Comics'.

I feel a lot of what is drawn in this mind-map follows my exact thinking pattern, often it jumps around but the linking lines on the page tend to follow a linearity. Some things may not make complete sense, but if questions are asked I can explain my train of thought easily.

I feel that this is an individual piece of art because everyones in the class will be drastically different. It allows each mind to visually lay out what it thinks in pictures in words rather than abstract memory and recall.

Natasha Design House

2. Natasha’s web comic is a great example of a strong informational comic. Due to her design elements, linearity and clarity of story, and use of narration, she grabs viewer attention and sells her product.

As the user reads her comic, it is easily identifiable as to which block comes after which. The eye naturally progresses through the storyline without hindrance. The blocking is conventional and it finishes with two smaller squares and then a final large one.

The narration helps largely to fill in the gaps with the pictures. Without her explaining that she is brainstorming ideas with her client, one would never understand what the second row is exactly. But, with just a few well placed words the narration and story flow perfectly.

The story explains her services within the first pain, making sure you understand she makes websites for clients. By the last line, both of the designers have a call and return showing teamwork and good output.The client is obviously impressed. Finally, at the very bottom, her website and phone number are tastefully written for clients to contact her with.

This informational comic is not only fun to read and look at , but it also structures its content well and shows superb knowledge of comic building.

http://www.proteusdocuments.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/ndhcomic-21.jpg

The Food System

1. For an example of a ‘poor’ data graphic, I have chosen “The Food System” graphic. There are multiple reasons why it is badly designed including its readability, comprehension of information given, and detail.

Firstly, the eye flips all over the page looking for a point in which to start. There is no numbering, nor is there any indication which of the steps is first. After careful consideration the Resources category is the first step, ending with Waste. The readability is fairly simple and neat, but confusion starts when comprehension is compromised.

Though it is a clock-wise rotation, nowhere on the page does it tell you this. Instead of having arrows that point to the next step in the cycle, they have lines attached to a central circle called Exchange. Though it is true each step is an exchange, it complicates the graphic substantially. This is because many of these steps do not exchange with each other at all. The producers and the processers would interact, but would eating and producing ever exchange? Probably not.

The steps too are far too vague and do not cover the process fully. Going from processing to eating does not actually happen; there is an intermediary, the ‘Distributor’.

There is a true lack of details in this graphic. There are multiple planes, buses, and cars littered around the graphics, but after close inspection there is no coherency to where they are placed. Going from the processing plant to eating it does not involve a station wagon.

For these reasons though the graphic is simple, it may be ‘too’ simple and carelessly done to give accurate and straightforward information.

https://www.msu.edu/~howardp/foodsystem.JPG

Module 1 Part 2

These directions were made without the use of text or numbers to explain the steps.

A "Love Story"

A "Love Story"

See if you can figure out what is going on in these 4, 2 panel pictures.