Class Reflection 1.28.2013

Since we didn't have a reading for last week, this will be sort of a combination of last week and today's class...

Last week we presented our first edits of our concept maps. The main point of this project is to create a universal language that everyone in your "team" can understand. By starting with a main sentence that covers a broad range of the topic, and then breaking down each individual word, it really makes the designer think about what we are studying. This also sets boundaries for the project, making the overall task more simplified and condensed.

From the first critique, a few things were mentioned that everyone should take note of:

• Use of hierarchy - By making the most important words or phrases prominent, while the details are set back, it shows the viewer at first what the main focuses are, and if they wish to learn more, they can take the time to read more. Later on in the project, our focus may be in one topic more than another, and the concept map will change according to this relation. It was pointed out to me to consider more scale change in text and to consider what information may be more important than other information. 
• Layering - Creating depth gives the concept map more interest, and can also make it easier to understand. By layering larger words or phrases behind a grouping of words, the viewer can make associations between that grouping. Concept maps can be very detailed and confusing, and any means to clarify ideas are worth considering. I had a few problems in this area, especially in the area where lists are formed by the amount of information included in one single category. 
• Webbing of Ideas - Overall, everyone had a great start to the maps, but there was hardly any overlap with their topics within each individual concept map. This was definitely a struggle in my topic, and was worth revisiting.
• Point of entry - Find ways to make multiple ways to read the project. Have more than one interesting/intriguing topic that gets the audience involved. 

With that, I needed to focus on a few things as well:

• Larger scale - Allows for more space to explore connections between categories, as well as making it easier to read and follow the map.
• Hierarchy from initial categories - Which topics are more/less important? Which topics will I further explore? This all may change as the project develops, but it is still good to consider at this point of the project. 
• What is more important vs. less important - Consider what is worth exploring more, and what isn't. 
• Start creating an identity - Also, apply this identity to previous projects. Start creating a look that can be maintained throughout the entire class. 
• Bring CLARITY to complex ideas - find a way to combine/fix all the previous concerns to make it easy to read. Someone that has never seen or heard of your project should be able to understand what you are trying to do in the concept map. 
• Depth, clarity, relationships, description of project

After critique, we further dissected what a concept map can and will be used for. Overall, it is a technique used by designers that creates trust with their clients. Some designers have no previous knowledge of a client's request, and the concept map encourages the designer to explore different ideas. Once everything is mapped out in a well thought out chart, the concept map, it will then be presented to the client. At this point, everything is still considered a "rough idea" of what the topic is, and the client can present more of their ideas and thoughts without feeling like their are changing the entire concept behind the project. By gaining trust, everyone can then aim to being on the same page, and therefore, can come out with a strong final project. 

Today, we held our second critique on the concept maps. We talked about verbal vs. nonverbal ideas/concepts that everyone needed to consider trying. I think I need to consider using more nonverbal ideas to get the viewer more involved. Images, shapes, or even type as image are all possible ideas that I could explore in my project. 

Some areas I need to consider editing are:

• Large layered text in the background is difficult to read. Consider increasing the contrast to make more legible. 
• White dotted line and small white text are difficult to see. Bump up the line weight and increase the size of the text to make more legible. 
• Another layout option - Baseball diamond shape. This is worth trying because I don't have more than one point of entry, this could help with this problem, but could raise more problems in legibility and flow.
• Size/scale of the overall poster doesn't need to fit in the book, although it would be a nice feature. Don't compromise design of the map in order for everything to fit. A disk can be included for those interested in looking at the entire map.

Overall, it was a great critique. Everyone was very helpful and positive!