When I came up with the idea of using a trumpet as the base for a column graph I thought it was a great, clever idea. I really like this piece and I think it is a strong concept but I feel like its not completely there, I feel like its a bit busy and just not the best it could be.
I plan on recreating the trumpet (this is a live trace) and using a very similar pattern and colors but as is it seems too hectic so I need to find a happy medium!
Amanda - the colors and shapes here are very strong, but I do find the connection between the relative dates (before, 1 yr after, 2 yrs after) and their respective numbers a bit confusing. I agree that you should redraw the trumpet to create the best shape possible. I would also suggest you do the same for the notes - they seem a bit distorted, and I'm not sure why you would want them to be if the trumpet's shape will be refined.
ReplyDeleteI also question the position of the heading and subhead...why centered? You have some strong vertical alignment possibilities with those upright values... why not consider repositioning those elements to enhance the balance of the piece.
OK - now the information issue... when I think of music, and see horizontal lines... I think of a music staff. I wonder if that is your intention with those lines that connect the words to the valves? Of course, that will lead to some confusion because most music readers identify a staff of music by its 5 horizontal lines (not 3). That is the first confusing issue I see. The second is that the lines do not lead to the numbers... only the bottom of the tubes. Are you making us work too hard to make the connections that will lead to our understanding of this? I think so. I suggest the words and numbers be connected more clearly... and not with something that might be mistaken for an incomplete music staff. Truthfully, the line of information could read like: 183 total schools functioning before Katrina's landfall - all in one place and not broken up as you currently have it.
Also, if you rewrote your heading to something like- New Orleans: Rebuilding after Katrina
... and the subhead to something like: Public Schools struggling to meet academic needs - you might find that you can rewrite the infograph text and have some options.
I just looked into this a bit further, and see that after 5 years the schools were much improved from before the storm. Apparently the storm ended up being an opportunity to rebuild and restructure. Check this out: http://educationnext.org/new-schools-in-new-orleans/
So... I wonder if you'd want to add an update to this infograph, to make it more current? A way to rethink the design just a bit as you refine it?
Amanda -
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy the lower half of this piece, but I agree with Coni about the head and subhead. They look out of place, and I think playing with the alignment can help them to become more unified with the piece.
The trumpet is a very creative idea, and it works quite well for the purpose of creating a graph! I especially enjoy how you turned the lines into a staff... that ties in very well! Overall, I love the imagery, but this the typography could use some adjustments!
Jackie