Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
pick which thing interests them most or which is most important at a particular moment.
Letting the viewers decide, instead of pointing the direction out for them, can be a good
way of engaging them—making them participate in getting the information, rather than
handing it to them on a plate. If they have to work for it, they might enjoy it and re-
member it more easily later.
The composition of this page spread is dynamic and decisive, with the size and placement of im-
ages corresponding to a strict six-column grid. The energetic change in scale, clustering, over-
lapping, and horizontal or vertical proportions creates enough activity that focusing on any one
element is difficult—and this is the designer's intention. The interval of years in this timeline is
statically and consistently called out by regularly spaced year markers, but the designer wants
to portray the energy and continuity of historical developments and events by allowing them to
interact. From an informational standpoint, the designer has also indicated spans of years for par-
ticular developments or processes by allowing images to overlap from year to year. The result is
a complex diagram of interrelationships that allows the reader to get a quick overview, enjoy the
dynamic composition on the page, and pick out the events that interest him or her the most in
whatever order is desired.
Spin
United Kingdom
6 Pick colors on purpose.
Being completely random with color selection—or choosing colors whose usual asso-
ciation purposely conflicts with expectation—for a project is a viable method that can
achieve some surprising results. After a time, choosing color using familiar methods
yields combinations that are, at the least, somewhat expected and, at the worst, com-
