Information Design - Exercise

5/2/2025 - 10/2/2025 (Week 1 - Week 2)

Low Li Vern/ 0362678

Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Exercise

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INSTRUCTIONS

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LECTURES

WEEK 1

Week 1: Introduction & Types of Infographics

We started week 1 with an online lecture, where Mr. Fauzi and Mr. Shamsul introduced the MIB for this module. They also outlined our first exercise and instructed us to bring materials for the upcoming tutorial. Additionally, they provided details about the group project, requiring us to form teams of 6 to 10 students.

During Wednesday’s class, Mr. Fauzi explained the eight types of infographics:

1. List infographics
2. Statistical infographics
3. How-to infographics
4. Timeline infographics
5. Comparison infographics
6. Map and location infographics
7. Flowchart infographics
8. Process description infographics

Week 2

L.A.T.C.H theory:

1. Location
2. Alphabet
3. Time
4. Category
5. Hierarchy 

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Exercise 1/ Quantifiable Information 

- Quantify raw data and visualize information as a photograph

- Visual representation of numerical data that allows for easy interpretation and analysis. 

Instruction:

Gather a set of objects and separate it into category such as color, shape, pattern, and other quantifiable factor.

Example:

1. Box of Lego

2. Jar of button

3. Jar of marble ball

4. Set of colourful rubber strap & more.

In this exercise you're required to quantify our chosen objects and arrange them into a presentable layout or chart. 

The information must be presented as is, and you need to arrange the objects with relevant indicators written out with pens to help you to visualize the quantity and data. The examples of objects that can be use are buttons, coins, lego pieces, M&Ms, and more.

Submission:

E-Portfolio report consists of

1. Photo of the random objects before sorting out

2. Objects sorted out by categories (2 - 5 category)

3. Write and design the information on a piece of papers (A3 drawing paper)  

Week 1

During this week's tutorial, we worked on Exercise 1 and experimented with creating our template at different stages. I brought Skittles (Fig 1.1) in various colors, adding a fun touch to the session. Mr. Fauzi guided us throughout the tutorial, providing valuable insights.

Fig 1.1 Skittles

Unsorted Data :

Fig 1.2 Unsorted Data

Fig 1.3 Unsorted Data with Cam Scanner

For the unsorted Skittles data, there are six different colors mixed together.

#Stage 1

Sorted

Fig 2.1 Sorted

Fig 2.2 Sorted by colour

I started organizing the Skittles by color. There are six colours: green, light green, red, orange, yellow, and brown. 

#Stage 2

Arranged

First, I counted the number of Skittles for each color. Then, I decided to create a pie chart to show the number of Skittles for each color. Since light green had the least amount, I made its pie chart piece smaller. The brown color had the most, so its piece was bigger. I spent some time placing the Skittles in the right spots to match the chart.

Fig 3.1 Arranged pie chart

Fig 3.2 Arranged pie chart

After that, I wrote down the number of Skittles for each color next to the pie chart. I’m really satisfied with the outcome because I spent time making sure everything was done carefully.

#Stage 3

Visually

For the visual part, I thought the Skittles colors reminded me of fruits, since I really like eating fruits. I used red to create a big red apple, brown for the branch, and light green for the leaf. I made yellow into a lemon, orange into an orange, and green into a pear. I wasn’t sure what fruit to make for the brown Skittles, so I searched online and decided to turn it into a kiwi, with the green color inside.

Fig 4.1 Skittles Fruit

#Stage 4 

Tell a Story

Story name: The Lost Orchard of Skittle Fruits

In a hidden orchard, Skittle Fruits grew in vibrant colors, each with a special trait. Yellow shone with energy, Red chased dreams, Green explored, Orange sparked creativity, and Purple held wisdom. But one day, the colors began to fade. Everyone had stopped believing in imagination and adventure. Determined to save the orchard, I sorted and arranged the Skittle Fruits Family and restoring their brilliance. With each color returned, creativity and joy filled the world again.

Fig 5.1 Story of Skittles Fruit Family

Exercise 2/ L.A.T.C.H INFOGRAPHIC POSTER

INSTRUCTION:

1. Organize a group of information into a visual poster that combines and utilizes the LATCH principles (Minimum 4).

2. You are required to use the digital photo editing/illustration software available to assemble the information into a LATCH infographic poster.

3. You are allowed to reuse back the images but you have to create the rest of visuals to complete the poster.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Size resolution: A4 size

2. Progress and submission link on E-Portfolio.

SUBMISSION:

1. Final poster attached to this submission.

2. E-Portfolio link attached to this submission.

Progress For Exercise 2

#Stage 1 Ideation

For the topic, I decided to create a LATCH poster with the theme of food. To narrow it down, I considered Japanese cuisine, such as ramen and sushi, as well as traditional Thai dishes. However, I realized that if I were to focus on food, why not highlight our own local cuisine? Malaysian food has been a part of my life since childhood, shaping my tastes and experiences. So, I ultimately chose "Local Food in Malaysia, Penang" as my topic.

Fig 6.1 Reference Poster

Fig 6.2 Reference Poster

Fig 6.3 Reference Poster

Fig 6.4 Reference Poster

Fig 6.5 Reference Poster

LATCH for Penang Local Food

1. Location (Where They Are Found)

• Nasi Lemak – Found across Malaysia but commonly sold in Penang’s hawker stalls and markets.
• Penang Laksa (Asam Laksa) – A signature dish of Penang, widely available in places like Air Itam Market and Gurney Drive.
• Roti Canai – Originally from Indian Muslim communities, it is popular at Mamak stalls throughout Penang.
• Hokkien Mee – A famous Penang-style prawn noodle dish, often found in Georgetown and local food courts.

2. Alphabetical Order

• Hokkien Mee
• Nasi Lemak
• Penang Laksa
• Roti Canai

3. Time (Historical Context of Each Dish)

• Nasi Lemak – Evolved from Malay farming communities in the pre-1900s.
• Penang Laksa – Originated from Peranakan (Straits Chinese) cuisine in the 1800s.
• Roti Canai – Brought by Indian Muslim immigrants during the British colonial era (19th-20th century).
• Hokkien Mee – Introduced by Fujian (Hokkien) immigrants in the 19th century.

4. Category (Spicy/Non-Spicy, Flavor Profile)

• Nasi Lemak – Spicy & Savory (due to sambal)
• Penang Laksa – Spicy & Sour (due to tamarind-based broth)
• Roti Canai – Savory (often eaten with curry, making it spicy or mild depending on preference)
• Hokkien Mee – Spicy & Umami (rich prawn broth with chili paste)

#Stage 2 Sketch

For my sketch, I first decided to draw the map of Malaysia and plan the layout for the information I wanted to include. I chose a blue background with a green island to resemble a world map. To connect the food images, I added arrows linking them to their respective locations.

Fig 7.1 Sketch 1

For the second sketch, I used the same background color but made the Malaysia map smaller and placed it in the left corner. I added notes for the layout and included three separate boxes for the information sections. To represent the origins of different local foods, I used navigation icons to indicate their original locations.

Fig 7.2 Sketch 2

For the third sketch, I drew inspiration from local food menus, which have a clean layout and make information easy to find. Based on this, I decided to use the third sketch as my reference.

Fig 7.3 Sketch 3

#Stage 3 Progress

For the progress, I started by searching for suitable images for my poster. I decided to use graphic style images instead of realistic ones because I feel that graphic illustrations better suit the overall design and theme of my poster.

Fig 8.1 Style Reference

Fig 8.2 Style Reference

Next, I arranged the pictures according to my sketch layout. I personally think the food layout looks nice since all the images I chose are round, creating a visually cohesive design.

Fig 8.3 Layout progress

After that, I added small boxes indicating the spiciness level of each food, as it is an important part of the information.

Fig 8.4 Layout progress

Lastly, I added the researched information and summarized it into two key aspects: origin and description. This allows viewers to quickly understand where dishes like Nasi Lemak or Hokkien Mee come from and which cultural group introduced them to Malaysia.

Fig 8.5 Poster progress

I also changed the background color to beige, as it complements the food color scheme better. Additionally, I decided to add a frame to enhance the visual hierarchy of the poster. I believe the frame helps draw viewers' attention, making the poster more visually appealing.

#Final Outcome

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REFLECTIONS

Exercise 1 helped me understand the importance of organizing raw data into a visually appealing and easy-to-interpret format. By using Skittles as my subject, I was able to explore different ways of categorization, from sorting by color to arranging them into meaningful visual representations like a pie chart and a creative fruit display. One of the biggest challenges I faced was ensuring accuracy in arranging the Skittles to match the proportions in my pie chart. I spent extra time carefully positioning each piece to ensure the data was visually correct.

 In the second exercise, I applied the LATCH principle to design an infographic poster about local food in Malaysia, Penang. This task challenged me to balance text and visuals while ensuring clarity and aesthetic appeal. I experimented with different layouts, refined my use of color and hierarchy, and learned how design choices impact readability. These projects have enhanced my ability to organize and present information creatively, and I look forward to applying these skills to future design work.

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THE END