References

List of references:

Betty crocker recipes. (2009) valentine parfait cupcakes. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/bettycrockerrecipes/4309811202/in/photolist-7yquhg-b8wjhp-5kugqc-9p3xu3-8qa5hw-arwbjh-ammwvb-6tqzv2-7887nm-78c2cw-6ca7n6-stf93l-9p3x4l-4bqfau-pbajo7-9p3zc3-9p3ymy-7ezmep-5ssmji-a1x3cl-8i5o3w-63qwum-qv4ec-8yrm6n-agytm-eaicwi-8uqejw-4xgeg9-71sh4x-75qgsn-49v6m8-aehgyq-6m8hec-8rpmv-ednnjl-arw955-artymb-arw8ej-dvknhb-dn52c-bekh4z-8qkr6e-qskwnl-5fumzi-9uteg3-5jhsnd-3fipkb-thfrxi-4o7msp-e5pnyu

Derek Coull. (2015) a pot of mischief. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/derek_coull__photo/17061208020/in/photolist-rzd9jy-nj4ect-9nrqa4-44eqc-dp7sxx-65qfnu-8irp8r-bpft7u-dlf9g9-dtbxpf-byeste-k4edb-5frzro-5tgvrg-4a37nh-5nvjrh-d7sozq-nvbjnj-daoza8-en9vk-pf9ned-dfqdpu-9nuczj-bessmn-5bpz67-4x5ctx-dtkvgr-jgzb4-sarsiq-bhtv-pjbyvs-dnebpb-o4xjpu-d9th7s-92nsvc-8tvg5n-nbwh9b-dw4tj5-5wamrh-daldma-qfwouv-7xhrxl-43vuf-dap6xf-rsv5yb-4qkucb-rf5wwp-9y1w4y-rtzur5-5qvn7m

Jose Hernandez. (2010) black mesa research facility // friki mug #1. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/4st4roth/4367179261/in/photolist-7duwfa-7duwf6-4elxvn-4jttr-dzszb1-etctcc-7nzadc-9jrvxe-gtpnhw-6btrpp-cnrugw-teak-67iqzy-6trly4-6qsgc-amythe-amw4pe-akjg2z-7v1nex-7x14b8-fafikr-dxb6xp-59vije-6aopyw-4hfz1z-cwytyb-zrwxd-bebwp-fwx6h5-dczdgr-cagdiy-a9zjir-dbyjwf-888zjj-2c1qk-79phl7-7bvft7-9jrvbk-chuay-bv6bhc-5kzzsg-4wf3mh-4u5hyg-4ydrxo-9xkutd-a8b8tw-63szsy-cbl57-7u8anm-43jacy

Docallisme, Ryal. (2015) Party chocolate and soda. Retrieved from http://www.dafont.com/party-chocolate-and-soda.font

The Webstaurant store. (2010) prima spoons. Retrieved form https://www.flickr.com/photos/47477417@n06/5933147737/in/photolist-a3hw7d-5l7sks-pfo26v-rkwtdo-8vwzm3-5qkmfj-dkzx3d-7hhqgq-8vwzsc-5fbz7x-baqlhz-c9gqca-damg88-4y1hys-ohbnb-osnq5k-6vhzem-osnmc9-gdk2t-95cpbh-acjbmj-974ffr-4xkddb-3a3j5-vtvpl-7sqqdi-63qvbw-96jn2a-a9ec28-a9ebpc-9rxbhm-74hx2k-4vz12u-5ddjd1-biruvr-gwzf1e-jmdhhg-4y61kh-5frg1t-4cegpa-7lujj5-7rtgod-r4cyjo-eif7dr-sn73sv-abczmh-8tcvxj-9zqnse-4fxe9t-dvetja

Wells net. (2003) candy canes. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/welsnet/3388339784/in/photolist-ee7mkf-4asg2v-6aq8ns-i8eagw-5jgq8y-awmknr-931vm6-5jwawy-beyb6a-dzct1k-azasd4-7pcscg-beyb1m-91ltmm-7kpwce-7mtsbq-ayxzfr-im7f4c-dxlxoh-ihvp27-7npduy-ap26n4-dbxaxs-dytx4i-az5eg6-akub2d-9jdbek-az5cdx-ikuxmd-7myv9f-aq3vs4-5b1d3b-ayusvp-aq4mp6-8xj1r9-dcubmi-7q5rb8-7m41gl-93vpuz-4hanu5-7qu2dr-4fmefg-6btzih-uxo8l-7hxjx9-b4339v-b433tz-az5i68-47tnkd-5li7dp

Summary

My intended communication objective for the infographic was to teach people “How to make Hot Chocolate”,  although it is a simple and straight forward activity I believed it would make for an interesting image. One of my focuses was the idea that the image needed to be simple and easy to understand for all ages, from children to adults, especially since its children who would need instructions. Another one of my objectives was to create a funky but easy to follow layout. Many infographics that I looked at when researching were carefully laid out make the most of the space available. There are only three simple instructions to make hot chocolate so I decided to add some possible flavors for the bottom third of the image.

In order to achieve this image I used many tips and lessons that I was taught in class, starting with colour, we were told that less is more when it came to colour. Thus using fewer colours would made for a more effective image, however I struggled with this as the colour usually associated with hot chocolate is brown. However I used what we were taught in class and decided to play around with different shades of brown and found colours that both complemented the brown and stood out. In the end I settled on using three different browns and a pinky, red for the majority of the image. In terms of the layout I used what I learned in class to try and create an interesting image to view. I decided to place the title of the right of the page and have it read down, this is a change from the typical left to right. I thought it was creative to give each of the different flavor options a box, while still having it blend in with the colour scheme. One of the struggles I had when using illustrator occurred when creating the images to illustrate the different flavours. It was hard to make images that didn’t look like cartoons, making the images look life like meant I needed to consider shading and real life colours. It allowed me to experiment with gradient for the marshmallows and trying to make the cream and bubbles look 3D. I have tried to make everything evenly spaced and a logical size compared to the other objects on the page. The bottom of the image clearly follows a grid pattern while the top half is more split down the middle. I clearly numbered the instructions in order to make it extremely clear where to read.

Overall, I am happy with the image and feel like it conveys the instructions and objectives in an effective and simple way. Next time I would like to be more familiar with the software in order to produce more intricate work.

Images

Here are the final images.

 

comments

Here are my top 5 comments:

1. I think this image looks really great! the colour scheme and snowflake detailing really make it feel and look like Christmas. The sleigh path running behind the information creates a subtle but effective flow to the image. I also really like the title font, it fits the theme perfectly and is eye catching for the viewer.

2. Firstly, I think that ‘How to build sand castle’ is a great idea for an infographic. Since It is mostly children who would use this sort of information I think that keeping it simple is a good idea. For design 1 i believe the main image of a sand castle is eye catching and appealing. The idea of having two boxes for the different things needed means its clear for the reader. I also agree that having arrows across the page would be busy and messy, perhaps colour coordinating it or just numbering it would be best. For design 2, the idea of having the title incorporated into the flag is a good idea, makes it more creative than a simple, straight title. With the instructions, tools needed and decorations, the image may look too busy, instead you could stick to the instructions and tools. Then have a sentence saying to find items on the beach for decoration. Design 3 seems like the most simple idea, the instructions all lead to the end product. I also agree that the boarder doesn’t quite fit the image. Perhaps there is a way to merge different aspects of all 3 designs.

3. I think your initial ideas are great! Pancakes or fruit salad would be simple but effective ideas, they would also be easy to illustrate using illustrator. How to raise chickens would be a really interesting image, although creating chickens may be a bit difficult.

4. I think the idea of a camera cheat sheet is a really great idea. I think the layout is clear and easy to understand. I assume you will have a sentence under each section describing what to do and how to do it. I cant wait to see the finished image.

5.Vita, I think your final image looks awesome. I think the colour scheme works great together and the layout is very effective. The arrows and images create a smooth flow around the page making it easy to understand. I also think that your use of font helps to connect the different aspects of the image and fits the mood that you have created for the image.

Typography

After having started my infographic about ‘How to make hot chocolate’ I have been struggling to find a suitable font type. Fonts are useful in helping to illustrate the idea and create a mood for the image, often the title is what viewers notice first so it needs to be eye catching and interesting. The font used for a title needs in some way to explain what the infographic is about for example, if the image was about something scary you wouldn’t use a fun, bubbly, cartoon like font. I want my font to be modern and funky, it needs to be readable and fit the mood of the image. I have been taking looking at chocolate advertisements in order to get a better understanding of how other people have represented chocolate in the fonts. It seems that a skinny, rounded font would look good on the hot chocolate infographic and add a funky edge. Since I have the title and instructions it gives me the flexibility to have a few different fonts if it looks good.

Semiotics

Semiotics is important to consider when designing and creating an infographic. Infographic’s are usually simple and easy to understand, in which case they do not use complicated images to illustrate the ideas. Instead many times symbols and shapes are used to imply a message, idea or give meaning to the image. This could be as simple as using a snowflake to symbolise the cold and winter or the sun to represent summer and holidays. For my image semiotics don’t only come in the form of images but the same idea has been applied to the use of colour. The main idea of my image is to teach viewers how to make hot chocolate, to by using a brown colour scheme I am introducing them to the colour of chocolate and the drink. The idea of hot chocolate is that it will make you warm so I will also include red or pink in the design to imply warmth and comfort. An idea I had was to include steam lines off the cup, this would also help reinforce the idea of heat and warmth.

Composition

In class we spoke about composition of our infographics and how positioning major objects and titles can make or break an image. When it comes to titles, being creative is key, having a title that goes straight across a page is boring. Instead I could look at positioning the title to one side, have it run down the page, or create a shape out of it. It is important to have a main visual as well, the image that catches the viewers attention. This needs to be reasonably large in size and be in a stand out position. Even though this image may be simple, it needs to portray what the infographic is teaching you. For my infographic I have decided to present the possible flavour ideas along the bottom of the page. Each idea will have its own box and they will all be in line with each other. This is to create a simple left to right reading pattern when viewing the image. In fact the entire image reads from left to right, starting at the title, then ingredients, then steps and finally the ingredients. Making Hot chocolate is a simple and fun activity so I wanted to infographic to be understood by children who are likely to need instructions for the activity. When creating my infographic it will be important to consider composition as everything should be put in a place for a reason.

progress

This week I have started creating different parts of the infographic such as the cup, candy cane and pot. These will be essential parts of the final image.

Progress

This is what I have been working on. I have been having trouble deciding on which colours to use, especially the shade of brown for the background.

Use Of Colour

Use of colour in infographics is very important when trying to make it visually attractive and appealing. Often colour is what draws the viewer in to the image and encourages them to take notice. Colour needs to be used in order to enhance the topic and represent the main idea, for example an infographic about valentines day would use majority pink, red and white and a Christmas infographic would use majority red, green unless you were trying to convey a ‘white christmas’ where the would be a majority of white and blue colours.

In class we were taught that using fewer colours would be better, so to choose colours that are attractive and that can be used in different shades. These colours have to be universal for your image, so you can make multiple aspects the same colour. This is good advice, as using this technique will create a softer image that doesn’t have too much contrast.

Another tip we were give was to avoid bright strong colours, as it can be over whelming and hard on the eyes. Were also encouraged to play around with the colour saturation, shade, tint and opacity in order to create our desired colour.

Colour can be used to imply different meanings and brands, for example the Yellow Pages are yellow and Coca Cola is most commonly red. In creating our image we should try to create life like images such as yellow cheese and free trees. If you start playing around with the colour of everyday objects it can become confusing. Another colour idea is to only use different shades of the same colour to create the image, for example using red as the base colour. This would allow you to use red, orange, redish brown colours. This effect can be very effective if done right.

We looked at using complementary colours, such as red and green, yellow and purple, orange and blue. These colours compliment each other and allow the other to make a statement. The pairing of these colours is easy on the eyes and visually attractive.