Information Graphics
Whilst studying for a Masters of Design, Iain discovered a book called 'Beautiful Evidence' by Edward Tufte that completely changed the direction for his studies. Tufte had produced a number of books looking at the history of Information Graphics and how it has been used to explain a wide a varied range of information through history. These books became essential reading as he enthusiastically demonstrates to the reader how graphic design and data presentation can be a very powerful tool that can affect emotion, decision-making, and thinking.
Tufte's love for the subject inspired Iain to create his own information graphics and these eventually became the backbone of his Masters project. This page documents some of the information graphics that Iain has created over the last few years. |
Streetsport - Research Conference Poster
Streetsport is a design-led programme that aims to reduce instances of youth crime and anti-social behaviour; while promoting health and wellbeing through sport, physical activity and creative endeavours.
Based in Service-learning, where studio activities meet street-level issues, Streetsport offers students a way to develop enhanced graduate attributes through applied design driven methods and skills within the context of a city wide initiative. Iain was invited to design information graphics for this A0 size research poster which was diplayed at the Innovate to Stimulate’ conference which was held at the Robert Gordon University. The poster presented an overview of the project plus data for locations that the events have taken place in across Aberdeen, yearly participation statistics, applied design process and applied creative design skills. |
Core Skills Academic/Commercial Practice
As part of the Core Skills project (discussed in the Research & Develoment section of this site) information graphics were created to explain the design process.
The first image looks at the ‘Academic Design Process’ and explains the process from initial studio briefing through to outcome. This was created to allow students to follow a logical structure in their design processes so they can check that they are considering basic design issues at each stage of the process. The second information graphic looks at the ‘Commercial Design Process’ and follows a similar structure to the Academic model, but with key changes within the inclusion of the client contact points (grey sections). These discuss the requirements of dealing with paying customers and whether this ensures good customer care, communication, and notes key points to highlight when approval for costs or critical choices are made. |
Guide to Erasmus & Placement Schemes
This project required Iain to design two information graphics, which would explain the process of signing up and taking part in the Erasmus and Placement schemes, which run over the second and third year of student study at Gray’s School of Art.
Both schemes have quite particular sets of events that have to happen at key points through the academic year and the information graphics were designed to explain this in a simple and easy to navigate method while providing an extensive list of key dates that students had to meet to sign up and get the best from the opportunities provided. Both Information Graphics have been successfully used to introduce second year students to the two schemes this year by academic staff and A2 prints have also been posted in studio noticeboards and Gray’s Moodle zone to allow students time to look through the information in more detail. |
Crathes Castle | A Visual HistoryIain's Masters project investigated the visual history of Crathes Castle, near Banchory, Aberdeenshire. Initially he collected and documented over 400 images of the castle from its initial construction around 1500 to the current day. He then presented the findings of this data through information graphics to revealed historical findings which have been long lost. The information graphics on this page shows the grey set which covered out comes from the visual data collected of the castle. There is a further green set which shows social issues relating to the events that took place at the castle and a purple set showing how Iain worked on the project over a two year period. These are shown on the website for my Masters project. The information graphic called "Construction" won the National Trust for Scotland’s Emerging Artist Award and went on to be used in publications and tourist material for the National Trust for Scotland. Click on the smaller previews to see larger images. To discover more about this Masters project and view the other Information Graphics please visit the website at: http://crathescastle.weebly.com |