Monday, March 29, 2010

F + S = -_-


info-graphic diagrams built into magazine article:


_______________

source


________________________________________

But coolest of them all:


LOOK AT NUMBER 2 [it's the best example of incorporating the icons within a MOTION info-graphic] - but one and three are neat too.



Friday, March 26, 2010

reading DIAGRAM

I Understand the need to make information graphics both purely factual, 'staying in the realm of objective information', and avoiding "chart junk". I also understand the desire and interest in making expressive diagrams. I think that a successful diagram has a little bit of both – depending on what audience these diagrams are going to be exposed to, and how important or subjective the subject matter is.

I full heartedly agree with Tufte that using distorted diagrams to convince people of a lie or a half truth is a serious matter. People use diagrams often in different professional fields and for various campaigns (i.e. corporate enterprise, political campaigns, etc) and get away with lying far more often than we like to think. This is a testament as to how powerful information graphics can be, and how important it is for people who use them to be honest and truly factual.

I noticed how complex most of the diagrams were in the example that the "Graphic Design - The New Basics" book gave. I'm especially drawn to the ones that are more generous with space and have simple graphic elements that direct the viewer throughout the graphic system (p. 250). It's important to use only concise information and relevant visual support.

Granted, subject matter will manifest itself in various ways thus requiring different methods of communication. Diagrams are generally based on temporal, spatial, and numerical (comparative) themes. The trick is to find a creative and unique way of conveying the information.


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

project 3 process II

After doing the research and posting it to the blog, I then had to start thinking of ways that i could put my facts together in infographs and think of which icons will be pertenant to which facts.


I need to articulate 2 concepts for a time based information graphic system, and also geographical, and comparrative.


I decided to simplify the process and seperate my icons into logical groups:


from:


(note: this is an old set of icons - i won't be using them in the final infographs. these just are simply used for reference)



to:


alpine fauna (birds or animals in general)

alpine landscape


man made things of the alps (architecture, clothing, agricultural tools)




I made my 'mind maps' with my facts and icons - finding ways interesting subject matter and fitting as many icons as i could with that subject matter.


I took some additional notes (see below) that helped me considerably in seeing things that could have direct links to one another.


key to notes:

-time based facts

-geographical based facts

-comparative facts


.where more facts are necessary, i CIRCLED something.

.each idea to be developed is represented by a STAR.

.icons are represented by their UNDERLINED noun

.SQUARES represent general/additional facts that could be interesting.








Monday, March 22, 2010

title

title?

climbing in the alps


traveling the alps



a mountain walk

a mountain hike

a mountain stroll

mountain air

mountain stroll


on mountains

on alps

alpine stroll

stroll in the alps





ON THE ALPS

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Alpine Stroll - facts



the alps:

.time based facts:
During the Second Punic War in 218 BC, the Carthaginian general Hannibal successfully crossed the Alps along with an army numbering 38,000 infantry, 8,000 cavalry, and 37 war elephants.[3] This was one of the most celebrated achievements of any military force in ancient warfare. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alps#Political_and_cultural_history)

Mount Blanc, the highest spot in Europe, was ascended by two natives: Jacques Belmat and Dr. Packard, August 8, 1786 http://www.facts-about.org.uk/random-facts-about-alps.htm


.geographical facts:
The Alps comprise of about 180 mountains, from 4,000 to 15,732 feet high, the latter being the height of Mount Blanc, the highest spot in Europe. http://www.facts-about.org.uk/random-facts-about-alps.htm

The Alps form a large mountain range dominating Central Europe, including parts of Italy, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovenia, Germany http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berghof_(residence)


.comparative facts: Mont Blanc (4810 m) is the highest peak in the Western Alps, while Piz Bernina (4052 m) is the highest peak in the Eastern Alps. (http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/alps-facts-3582.html)

On the Alps vine grows to the elevation of 1,600 feet. Below 1000 feet, figs, oranges and olives grow. Oak grows to 3,800 feet, limit of the chestnut is 2,800 feet, of pine 6,500 feet, and of furze 9,700 feet. Beyond 8,200 feet snow exists perpetually. http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/alps-facts-3582.html



machines in the alps:

.time based:
The center of this compass from around the early 20th century marks the highest mountains of the Swiss Alps, and from there the compass serves as the tourist's panoramic guide to distant landmarks:
(http://www.etesseract.com/Surveying/Surveying.html)

The first evidence of human activity in Switzerland dates back to the Palaeolithic (20,000 to 4,000 BC), where tools believed to be Neanderthal in origin have been found in the Cotencher cave in the Canton of Neuchatel

(http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Switzerland&page=2)


.geography


.comparative:



alpine birds:
.time based: From 1900 to 2000, the overall number of free-living species in Switzerland monitored by BDM hardly changed at all. (http://www.biodiversitymonitoring.ch/english/indikatoren/z3.php)

Since 1900, 19 new breeding bird species have been recorded in this country, many among them dependent on water bodies. (http://www.biodiversitymonitoring.ch/english/indikatoren/z3.php)


.geography: birds have been driven out of areas colonised by humans. – Birdlife includes swans, ducks, coots, seagulls (which live by the many lakes), sparrows, thrushes and pigeons http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Switzerland

birdlife is still being harmed by human activities and over 80 species are threatened with extinction. http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Switzerland


.comparative: switzerland:
............?199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008Changes from 1997 to 2008
Breeding birds01781761771771771761751741751751771754 disappearances, 3 newcomers, 1 unstable species
http://www.biodiversitymonitoring.ch/english/indikatoren/z3.php


The most common birds in Switzerland are chaffinch and black redstart (both can be found on over 90% of the territory), followed by blackbird, blackcap, great tit, robin and wren. Sparrow, crow and pigeon are abundant in almost all Swiss villages and towns; seagull, swan, mallard, and common coot can be found along many lakes. Other species like the great spotted woodpecker may be found in the forests. http://www.all-about-switzerland.info/swiss-birdlife-wild-breeding-birds.html Many lake shores have been altered by human influence: wetlands and rush areas are much smaller today due to building homes, industrial plants, roads and railway lines. Some species are endangered or even extinct due to scarcity of food or breeding-places. The most popular loser is the white stork, who disappeared from Switzerland in 1950, but has returned thanks to intense efforts. http://www.all-about-switzerland.info/swiss-birdlife-wild-breeding-birds.html


Adventures with a stuffed robin The most entertaining chapter in Lack's book records birds' reactions when he placed a stuffed robin, wired to a tree, in their territories. The robin's usual response was to threaten the stuffed specimen with song and displays, before attacking it. Yet individual reactions varied greatly. One hen robin continued to attack the space where the stuffed robin had been even after it was removed http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/the-robin/features/david-lack-and-the-life-of-the-robin-in-progress





time based:
many jews and other refugees fleed to the alps to escape from the germans during WWII (1938-1942)


.geography:
traditional dress may bear a slight Slavic influence because of the presence of Slavs there today and before the German empire conquered the region from the broken Polish state under Heinrich the Lion (http://euroheritage.net/traditionalcostumes.shtml)


.comparative:
In Switzerland, where the Germans are the majority population, the German-Austrian costume is generally worn. The French and Italian minorities wear their respective dresses. The Netherlands has famous distinctions of their own, derived largely from German tradition because of a shared heritage and history.
http://euroheritage.net/traditionalcostumes.shtml

example of difference: Women's Sunday costume is decorated with embroideries of garden flowers, while the embroidery on men's smocks shows alpine flowers http://www.swissroots.org/swissroots/en/stories/heritage/Heritage/Swiss%20Customs/National%20Costum




alpine landscapes:

.time based:
An oil on board painting by Hans Jemuller (German, 20th century), Sommertag bei Garmisch; a charming alpine landscape with rustic building and church steeple, signed lower right "Hans Jermuller" and titled en verso. 1901
(http://www.prices4antiques.com/paintings/oil-on-board/Jemuller-Hans-Oil-on-Board-signed-Alpine-Landscape-Sommertag-bei-Garmish-D9907555.htm)


.geography:
The Alps comprise about 180 mountains, from 4,000 to 15,732 feet high, the latter being the height of Mount Blanc, the highest spot in Europe.
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/alps-facts-3582.html


WATERFALLS:

garnitzenklamm

pericnik waterfall

savica waterfall

kozjak waterfall

waterfall of the nivolet

krimml waterfalls

stroder waterfalls in niedere tauern

hidden falls

censo falls

lower falls of the aubach near Abtenau / Voglau

fall near grimsel storage lake

gollinger waterfall

rinker waterfall

krimmler faelle

grawa wasser fall

waterfal in valle spluga

waterfall of crot creek

stuibenall ferrata

censo falls

rodonva waterfall

http://www.summitpost.org/albupm/358703/Waterfalls-of-the-Alps.html



(more) Examples of waterfalls with the height over 100 m:

1. BOKA ( 144 m) *The upper part = 106 m

2. ČEDCA ( 130 m)

3. KLOMA ( 128 m)

4. SKOK (Jump) ( 118 m)

5. FRATARICA - "Veliki Drsnik" ( 112 m)

6. "Po Dolu" ( 110 m)

7. SUHA(105 m)

8. Brinta (104 m)

9. Peračica ( 102 m)

10. Martuljški slapovi: Upper Waterfall of Martuljek ( 101 m)

11. Waterfall Alpinum Juliana ( 20 + 100 m)

12. Jurež ( the highest waterfall in Karavanke Alps) ( 100 m)

and there are more interesting waterfalls:

http://www.burger.si/factsabout.htm




Water drainage is quite rich on mainly mountain surface. That explains why Slovenia has over 300 permanent waterfalls.

http://www.burger.si/factsabout.htm



.comparative:
The alps are one of the biggest mountain ranges in the world - along with the rockies in the U.S., the Indies in India, and the mountain range that goes along the west coast of South America.



falls on the Reichenbach (creek) in Bern canton, central Switzerland, one of the highest falls in the Alps. There are five cascades with an overall height of 650 feet (200 m); best known are Upper and Lower Reichenbach Falls, with a drop of about 300 feet (90 m). Much of Reichenbach’s beauty has been marred by a hydroelectric development

http://www.britannica.com/facts/5/80877/Alps-as-discussed-in-Reichenbach-Falls-waterfalls-Switzerland



alpine flora:

.time based:
The Edelweiss was established 1907 as the sign of the Austrian-Hungarian alpine troops by Emperor Franz Joseph I.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leontopodium_alpinum

Edelweiss is a protected plant in Austria (since 1886)
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Edelweiss


.geography: The plant is unequally distributed and prefers rocky limestone places at 2000–2900 m altitude. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leontopodium_alpinum


.comparative: Edelweiss can is one of the few flowers that can withstand high altitudes. (2000–2900 meters) . is one of the best-known European mountain flower
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Edelweiss



alpine fauna:

.time based:
The great urus, the elk, and the wild swine have disappeared since the Roman period, and the beaver in more recent times; but the brown bear, the lynx, the wild cat, and the wolf still survive.
http://www.1902encyclopedia.com/A/ALP/alps-26.html

average lifespan in the wild: 9-12 years.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-goat/



.geography:
Wolves and lynxes are still found living in the wild. Foxes are increasing in cities and towns. Deer, ibex and chamois, both mountain goats also live wild, mainly in the high Alpine valleys and pastures. Many types of freshwater fish are found in the lakes and rivers, including dace, trout, perch, char, pike and freshwater salmon.
http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Switzerland

The marmot, which is the most characteristic of the Rodentia, maintains its ground in the stony recesses of the Alpine region, and does not diminish in numbers as most other wild animals have done
http://www.1902encyclopedia.com/A/ALP/alps-26.html


.comparative:
Although no conspicuous species of quadruped or bird is known to be exclusively confined to the Alps, they have afforded an asylum to many animals that have become rare or extinct elsewhere.
http://www.1902encyclopedia.com/A/ALP/alps-26.html

Mountain goats are not true goats—but they are close relatives. They are more properly known as goat-antelopes.- In the spring, a nanny goat gives birth to one kid (sometimes two), which must be on its feet within minutes of arrival into its sparse mountain world. Mountain goats eat plants, grasses, mosses, and other alpine vegetation. Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-goat/

MORE facts:

Mountain goats are not true goats—but they are close relatives. They are more properly known as goat-antelopes.

In the spring, a nanny goat gives birth to one kid (sometimes two), which must be on its feet within minutes of arrival into its sparse mountain world. Mountain goats eat plants, grasses, mosses, and other alpine vegetation.

During the more moderate summer season goats shed this coat.

most spectacular alpine environments. They often appear at precipitous heights,

Mountain goats are powerful but nimble and can jump nearly 12 feet (3.5 meters) in a single bound.

in mating season billies will sometimes use their to battle rivals for prospective mates.

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-goat/


Kids are born in the spring (late May or early June) after a six month gestation period.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_goat#Life_cycle_and_breeding


alpine architecture:

.time based:
alpine natives profited from mills in the middle 18 hundreds and later.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Swiss-Switzerland-Jura-Mountains-Old-Mill-Print-1874-_W0QQitemZ220573970185QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20100320?IMSfp=TL100320133009r6876#ht_500wt_956


.geography:
There are few remains of pre-Roman civilisations to be found in Switzerland
http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Switzerland

The Berghof was Adolf Hitler's home in the Obersalzberg of the Bavarian Alps near Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berghof_(residence)


.comparative:


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Tuesday, March 16, 2010