Visual System Guide Book

HOW TO CREATE THE

By Tessa Blanshard-Phibbs

TOP10VISUAL SYSTEM

Contents

Systems are all around us, and inside us, from our digestive system, to your computer system, to the education system. There is even a theory: System Theory, which is concerned with characteristics and operation of these systems. Designers, too, work with all kinds of systems: grid systems, colour systems, corporate identity systems, etc. They also device ways of working that are systematic, so that lower level design decisions are left to the systems rules and the operation of the systems, rather than through overseeing and controlling every aspect of the design process. (Jones, P 2008.)

One very clever example of a working system was devised by Troika, a multi-disciplinary art and design practice founded in 2003 by Conny Freyer, Eva Rucki and Sebastien Noel. They created an installation for the onedotzero festival in 2008/2009 called the DIGITAL ZOETROPE. By deconstructing Wim Crouwel´s Gridnik typeface for the Zoetrope, they break the typeface into verticals, horizontals and diagonals which then merge into letters and words when the ZOETROPE is moving at different speeds.

This system works by taking data, deconstructing it, categorising it, finding new links and common strands of information between each element, and creating a new way of putting the information back together. (Troika, 2009.)

What is a Visual System?

01

What is a Visual System?

Analysis

Use of Colour

Title

Symbol Combinations

Key Layout

Introduction to TOP10

Explaining your Poster

Typography

Use of Symbols

Margins

DisplayBibliography

01

03

06

09

11

15

17

05

07

10

13

16

19

Zoetrope in static position

Zoetrope at 60 Hz

Zoetrope spinning

Zoetrope at 70 Hz

This book is a guide to creating the TOP10 visual system by means of colours and symbols. This system was created while I was studying at The Arts University College at Bournemouth, during my second year of study.

The following page shows an example of the overall look of the system. It shows roughly where each element of the system sits on the page. You will be guided through each step of the system, in order for you to apply it to your own set of data. In all cases, whatever data you gather, the outcome will always be to show the 10 most popular, common or used of anything. This could be from the most popular hairstyles between men and women, the most common birds in England, to the most used types of furniture in households and offices.

This system is designed to be adaptable to almost any types of data to flow through it, always showing the top ten. There is scope for your own creative direction, as it would be impossible to predict all the ways in which this system can be used. You will see, throughout this book, times when you can use your own initiative and times when there are strict guidelines for certain key elements.

This system is designed to be displayed on a white poster, usually A1. However you may choose to have a larger poster (unlimited in size), or reduce to a minimum A3, depending on how much data you have..

Introduction to TOP10

TOP10MOST COMMON BIRDS

Studies in 10 English counties were

conducted over a period of days,

and viewings of 32 types of birds

were categorised. Here we show

the 10 most common birds spotted,

and how many were spotted in

each town.

Only those which were seen three

times or more are listed here, of

which there were 12..

Oxfordshire

Berkshire

Surrey

Greater London

Buckinghamshire

Northamptonshire

Hertfordshire

Wiltshire

Leicestershire

West Midlands

Pigeon

Seagull

Kestrel

Black-throated Diver

Pelican

Common Crane

Tern

Sparrowhawk

Dove

Kingfisher

Grebe

Buzzard

02 03

Analysis

How to gather, analyse and use your data

In most cases you need to ask/observe as many people/scenarios as possible but at least 40 people, or observe at least 40 situations. This is so that you will have enough information to get a more concise reading of the TOP10.

Examples of data which could be gathered and used in this system:

• The ten most used computer programs

• The ten most popular pets

• The ten most common fruits available in Tesco and Asda

• The ten most used medication in under 16’s

• The ten most popular cars

• The ten most common fabrics used in high street fashion stores

Most Popular

If your data is based on popularity, you could ask at least 40 people for feedback, for example, if you want to now the most popular brands people wear you can ask this question:

What brand is your jumper, jacket, trousers etc..

You could ask 20 men and 20 women, ideally of roughly the same age group. The more people you ask the more accurate your data will become.

Most Common

If your data is based on the most common of something, you may be able to gather this data without a questionnaire. Simply through observation you could discover, for example, how many types of birds appear in a number of towns, counties or countries.

Most Used

If your data is based on most used, a questionnaire may also be helpful. For example:

If you would like to know the ten most used household items, you could ask:

How often do you use the following, please circle your answer:

In uses: Table 1 time a day, 2-3 times a day, 4 or more

Toilet 1 time a day, 2-3 times a day, 4 or more

Spoon 1 time a day, 2-3 times a day, 4 or more

Fork 1 time a day, 2-3 times a day, 4 or more

Knife 1 time a day, 2-3 times a day, 4 or more

Plate 1 time a day, 2-3 times a day, 4 or more

Cup 1 time a day, 2-3 times a day, 4 or more

etc...

In hours: • Bed: 3 hours or less, 5-6 hours 7 or more

• Sofa: 3 hours or less, 5-6 hours 7 or more etc...

Observation would also work in this category. Through observation of 40 people you could discover that they tend to use a sofa or bed etc, mostly throughout their day, rather than a cup or spoon.

As you can see, through these examples that you can apply Most Popular, Most Common or Most Used for different scenarios, depending on your data.

MA

RGIN

S p1

5

TITLE

p10

CO

PY p

06

SUB

HEA

DIN

G

p06

KEY

p07

SYM

BO

LS p

11

TOP1

0 O

UTC

OM

E p1

7

04 05







each town.




Oxfordshire

Berkshire

Surrey

Greater London

Buckinghamshire

Northamptonshire

Hertfordshire

Wiltshire

Leicestershire

West Midlands

Pigeon

Seagull

Kestrel


Pelican

Common Crane

Tern

Sparrowhawk

Dove

Kingfisher

Grebe

Buzzard


Body Copy

It’s important to explain on the poster what it is about. The title is only a heading used to give the reader a basic understanding, this copy should always be left alligned and fit the height of your title. Your copy should include:

• What information you gathered

• How you gathered it

• How much data you gathered

• What you are showing on the poster

For example:


conducted over a period of 2 days, and

sites of 32 types of birds were noted. Here

we show the 10 most common birds, and

how many were spotted in each town.

Only those which were seen three times

or more are listed here, of which there

were 12..

Sub headingThe sub heading is used to help the reader to have a clear, ubrupt, overall understanding of the poster. There should be just 1mm of space between each statement and must be in the same colour as the title. This should include the basic statistics of your data.

These should always fit the height of your title and each statement should be the same length, as shown in these examples.

There are two ways to approach this system; most popular, common or used shown by colour; or the most popular, common or used shown by symbols. It will depend on what kind of information you have. For example, to show the most common birds in England, you may split England into 10 towns (colours) and have symbols of the various birds. Or you may wish to assign 10 birds to the colours and have towns in England as symbols.

Once you have gathered your data, it is important to only extrapolate the 10 most popular, common or used elements from this to use with the colour key. This will then make the visual system as clear and concise as it can possibly be.

Once you have selected the 10 elements you will need to apply a key to each. This is determined by a colour and symbol key which is described on the following pages. First, here are the colours to use showing the cmyk values for digital printing, and the Pantone references for large format lytho printing. In every outcome you will have 10 colours and at least 11 symbols.

c 0 m 100 y 100 k 15Pantone DS 73-1 U

c 0 m 65 y 100 k 0Pantone DS 36-1 U

c 0 m 10 y 100 k 0Pantone DS1-4 U

c 100 m 15 y 100 k 15Pantone DS 269-1 U

c 50 m 0 y 100 k 0Pantone DS294-1 U

Use of ColourExplaining your poster

06 07

c 100 m 100 y 0 k 0Pantone DS 195-1 U

c 100 m 25 y 0 k 0Pantone DS 207-2 U


c 60 m 100 y 15 k 0Pantone DS 166-1 U


Each colour must be placed into a square. You can change the size of the squares depending on how large you make your poster.

Do not

• use any colours other than the ten listed

• use any artistic filters on the squares, such a embossing

• stretch or distort the squares

Typography

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

1234567890 ?!@£$%^&*()-+=

Geo Sans Light has been selcted for the TOP10 visual system. It is available free to download online at: http://www.dafont.com/geo-sans-light.font

Do not

• add shading

• use outline

08 09

Use of Symbols

Several symbols are displayed throughout this guide book, which you can apply to your system if they match your chosen subject.

However, it is likely that you will need to create your own symbols. In this instance it is suggested that you simplify these symbols as much as possible.

• Try use use only one outline line in most cases, fig 1

• Use a little detail if it is necessary to help describe your item further, fig 2

Fig 1. Simple outline of Buckinghamshire, England

Fig 2. A little added details to show that these trousers are womens jeans

Title

TOP10MOST POPULAR HAIRSTYLES

TOP10MOST POPULAR CAMARAS

TOP10MOST POPULAR BANKS

TOP10MOST COMMON SHOE SIZES

TOP10MOST USED HAND CREAMS

TOP10MOST POPULAR HAIRSTYLES

TOP10MOST COMMON BIRDS IN ENGLAND

TOP10MOST USED FUNITURE

The title of the poster must always be written in capital letters and include the words TOP10, with no space between TOP and 10, along with an brief explanation of your subject underneath. The statement underneather should be the same length as the TOP10 heading, some examples are listed here..

The title can be any of the 8 colours taken from the colour key, shown below, as well as full colour black: c 100 m 100 y 100 k 100.. Yellow and pale blue should not be used as they are considered to be too light..

10 11

Here you will see two examples of when detail can work or when it is not required.

• Fig 3 shows that without some detail on the jacket it may be mistaken for a jumper.

• Fig 4 shows that it is easy to identify the T-shirt without the need for adding unnecessary detail.

Fig 3

Fig 4

Pigeon

Seagull

Kestrel


Pelican

Common Crane

Tern

Sparrowhawk

Dove

Kingfisher

Oxfordshire

Berkshire

Surrey

Greater London

Buckinghamshire

Northamptonshire

Hertfordshire

Wiltshire

Leicestershire

West Midlands

Symbol CombinationsHere you can see that the 10 counties in England are written next to the colours, and the birds are shown using symbols.

12 13

Dove

Kingfisher

Tern

Sparrowhawk

Seagull

Pigeon


Kestrel

Pelican

Common Crane

Oxfordshire

Berkshire

Surrey

Greater London

BuckinghamshireNorthamptonshire

Hertfordshire

Wiltshire

Leicestershire

West Midlands

Here you can see the 10 bird types are written next to the colours, and the counties shown using symbols. It is up to you to make the choice between them.

Margins Measurements in millimetres

A1

A2

A3

14 15

The following margins should be applied depending on your paper size. Do not use a smaller paper size than A3.

Oxfordshire

Berkshire

Surrey

Greater London

Buckinghamshire

Northamptonshire

Hertfordshire

Wiltshire

Leicestershire

West Midlands

Kestrel


Pelican

Common Crane

Dove

Kingfisher

Grebe

Buzzard

Key LayoutPlace your key to right of the page. Ensure all the text is left aligned, and vertically centred to each symbol which it sits next to. There should be equal spacing between each key element, making sure they do no touch. The text should be just large enough to read, and this may change depending on your poster size, ideally between 9 and 12pt.

Place a grey box behind the key, c 0 m 0 y 0 k 25. This is to define the key area as seprate from the main body of the poster.

Oxfordshire

Berkshire

Surrey

Greater London

Buckinghamshire

Northamptonshire

Hertfordshire

Wiltshire

Leicestershire

West Midlands

Kestrel


Pelican

Common Crane

Dove

Kingfisher

Grebe

Buzzard

DisplayOnce you have analysised your data and chosen your key elements, you can then combine the colours with the symbols.

In the example below you can see that the symbols are now displayed in the colours of the key colours and they are repeated to show how often they occurred. This gives a clear overall idea of

all your data. The reader is able to cross reference the symbols and the colours to your key and see, for example, that three Black-Throated Divers were spotted in Berkshire, or that four Pigeons were spotted in Surrey.

16 17







each town.




Oxfordshire

Berkshire

Surrey

Greater London

Buckinghamshire

Northamptonshire

Hertfordshire

Wiltshire

Leicestershire

West Midlands

Pigeon

Seagull

Kestrel


Pelican

Common Crane

Tern

Sparrowhawk

Dove

Kingfisher

Grebe

Buzzard


To display the TOP10, you must choose the ten most popular, common or used from your data. You should display the top ten items as large as possible in the space provided. The reader will be able to see clearly how the colours and symbols relate to the key, and therefore clearly see the TOP10.

BibliographyJones, P. (2008) Visual Systems Brief.doc. BA Assignment Brief [online]. Aailable from http://blackboardas.aib.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_901_1%26url%3D

Troika (2009) Digital Zeotrope. [online] Accessed 30.11.09. Available from http://troika.uk.com/digitalzoetrope?image=0

18 19







each town.




Oxfordshire

Berkshire

Surrey

Greater London

Buckinghamshire

Northamptonshire

Hertfordshire

Wiltshire

Leicestershire

West Midlands

Pigeon

Seagull

Kestrel


Pelican

Common Crane

Tern

Sparrowhawk

Dove

Kingfisher

Grebe

Buzzard


Documents

Visual System Guide Book