Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
ational method; it needed to be creature-like, yet rational. For inspiration, Barbara
looked at the work of American illustrator Charley Harper (1922-2007). His draw-
ings can be wonderfully abstract, and his ability to translate complex natural forms
into rational, geometric shapes was remarkable. Barbara made sketches noting the
different methods Charley used to define various animal parts, creating a kind of tax-
onomy of creature parts. She then tried to figure out which body parts best repres-
ented each type. She ended up using beaks for birds, heads for amphibians, thoraxes
for mammals, and tails for reptiles. She struggled with the rendering style, moving
away from being too illustrative but without becoming too abstract. Connecting loz-
enge shapes that recall chromosomes worked best.
To relate to the other graphics the design team had created for the section, some of
which contained typographic elements, they incorporated pieces of letters into the an-
imals, using parentheses for mammalian fur, colons for reptile scales, and inch marks
for grass. Throughout the series, asterisks represent people - in this case, zoo visitors.
Outcome
This case study shows a level of innovation in that it uses a traditional bar-chart ap-
proach, but presents the bars in an illustrative form. The creation of the hybrid anim-
als makes the design engaging but also simple to decode. It is an educational piece
that shows in an instant the ratio of mammals to amphibians and birds, along with
the number of visitors and the concentration of animals in the space. The design rep-
resents the childlike quality that most people associate with the subject of zoos. The
project was very well received and Barbara's interest in information design has sub-
sequently blossomed. Since this project, she has taught workshops in information
design at California Institute of the Arts and a class at The Cooper Union School of
Art in New York.
CASE STUDY
Graphics in information design
Project:
Health and safety programme for Fletcher Construction on
behalf of the Victoria Park Alliance, Auckland, New Zealand
Design:
Grant Alexander, Sam Trustrum, Richard Unsworth, Ed
Prinsep and Felicity Douglas of Studio Alexander, Auckland, New Zea-
land
