This project required me to visualize information space for the book Else/Where Mapping. It was to be either interactive or a time-based video. I chose the latter, because it is where I had the least experience.

In combination with sketches, I prototyped ideas in Flash and experimented with animation early.

I used the mapped structure of the book as my theme, and overlaid information on top of photos of each page of the book.

The resulting two-and-a-half minute video is a journey through the each page of the book set to driving music.

A still from the video.

I sketched early thoughts on animation combined with notes from the content of the book for inspiration.

Another sketch shows early layout and transition ideas.

To get a sense of what areas of the book I would focus on in each of the four section of the book, I created a story board.

Once again, my artifact was the book Else/Where Mapping.

The process book, which was due the previous week, was reason for yet another sleepless night. Though I felt the result was well worth it.

I was not happy with my previous process book for my data visualization poster. But seeing what my peers had done, and also gaining better knowledge of design through my typography class, provided a more informed direction for this process book.

From the last page:

Reflections

Although I have a lot of experience with Flash, and a basic knowledge of animation within that context, creating a time-based video for this project proved to be quite a challenge and an exploration into unfamiliar terrority. If I had to do it again, I would like look to another animation program because I found Flash’s ability to deal with animation and audio inadequate.

I would have liked to have synced the animation and the page turnings more closely to the music, which I believe played a very powerful role in the piece. However, the limitation of Flash made this very difficult.

I was very happy with the music piece and thought it fit very well with the movement. Sound is key for video. I think it was helpful to start thinking about sound early.

Even though I shot the photos of the spreads in the School of Design’s shooting studio using a copy stand and powerful digital camera, I was displeased with the variation in photo quality and lighting. Given more time, I would have sought to improve them.

After seeing the work of my peers, I got a new set of ideas. While I was generally happy with the result, I wondered what I could have done if I went with a more abstract representation rather than the physical photos.

Food for thought for future work…