Explanation Graphic

    In my explanation graphic I decided to use the life cycle of a butterfly. Being a science major I knew that a lot of life cycle graphics can be very confusing. When I typed in life cycle to google images this is one of the first pictures that I saw and right away I realized how confusing and unorganized it looked. 

    In my first iteration i started off with the beginning of the life cycle on the top (the egg stage) and moved in a downwards pattern from their. When i got to the bottom and realized that the last step connects back to the first step i realized i could make a better layout. Since it is a cycle and there is not necessarily a first and last stage. It is an on-going process. This made me think of the idea of an actual cycle image (left image above). This came out well and became my final draft.

   I think my image is more successful than the original because it is much more simple, and gives the audience the idea of a cycle before they even get into reading the text. I learned that a lot of aspects go into making visual graphics. The gestalt principle, cognitive load and working memory all come into account when trying to make a successful image. I used the gestalt principle when grouping together arrows with text and images for each step. I reduced the cognitive load and working memory of the audience by removing informational text that was not important in understanding the main idea. I removed some of the words describing color of the butterfly and replaced them with actual color images. This allows the audience to automatically know the colors and looks of each stage of the cycle without having to read anything.

  In conclusion this assignment allowed me to realize that simple is sometimes better, as long as the main point still get across.

How to Make a Pasta Dinner

  When doing this assignment i had to first take into account the steps that went into making a pasta dinner. I am not the greatest cook, nor the best artist so this was not the easiest thing for me to do. I started off with the ingredients and utensils needed  on the top left. I then went ahead and got into the steps of making the pasta. I started off with boiling the water, then added the pasta once it was boiling. After that I drew the pasta going through the strainer then pouring it back into the pot. I then drew the pot back on the stove to add sauce and heat the sauce up on the stove mixed in the pasta. The last step is pouring it onto the plate and enjoying.
  Do do this without any words was just as difficult as the lawn care assignment, and maybe more difficult. Their are a few steps that go into making a pasta dinner. I tried to draw it in as few steps as possible to reduce the cognitive load. I wanted to get it done in fewer steps that i ended up doing but I could not find a way to do this.
   While doing this project, and the lawn care project I learned that i had to keep things as simple as possible while still giving directions that are accurate and easy to follow. I also learned that this is not always easy to accomplish. Instead of just drawing each step out, you have to thing ahead and see if any steps can be added together in one drawing. I had the idea of doing an explanation all in one step/drawing. I got the idea after I saw how simple one of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich explanations was. It was very simple and easy to follow, and still got the directions done. I could not end up doing a pasta dinner in one step but i got as close as i could do.

Turf Seeding Directions

  

      I tried to keep directions as simple as possible. I broke it up into a grid. The left side is hot and above 90 degrees while the right side is below 90 degrees. The top is dry while the bottom is wet. This assignment made me realize that symbols for things are not always easy to think of. I had to keep in mind that the audience may not be able to read our language so i had to make images and symbols universal for everyone to understand. I am hoping that by making one side yellow and sunny people will know that it is hot, while the other side being less sunny and dark, people will realize it is cold. Also the rain on the bottom will allow people to know that the turf will be wet. I tried to use symbols that someone would be able to understand no matter what language they speak or what part of the world they are from.
     I found one part of this assignment pretty difficult. Since i knew i had to make it for an audience that did not necessarily speak English I began to think how they would be able to understand A-1 or B-2-2. These were the final steps for deciding which lawn care to use, but it is in English and i could not find a way around using them. I finally just hoped that whoever was reading the directions would see these things as symbols and would be able to recognize them.
    When trying to reduce the cognitive load for this assignment i originally tried to do one large picture of a grass field. From their I split up different parts of the field into the different areas, like having pests or not. This got way to confusing and hard to comprehend so i decided to go with this grid like direction panel. I think it is much more successful than my other strategy would have been.

Collage

Cold, action, orange, things that got my interest, action, water/ocean, no dead spots.

    After reading all the comments from fellow classmates I noticed that a lot of things they posted were on the list I had made. I did not chose a lot of bright colors just because they stand out, but instead i chose things that i was interested in like sports and the ocean. I found this interesting because with such a short time allowed to big out ads I would think that I would just pick things that stood out, like brighter colors. Without even realizing it I was searching for things that were interesting to me in life. That is one of the only patterns I notice when looking at my collage. What i also noticed is that one of the only bright/warm colors on the collage is centered in a position that is almost in a title position. It is like everyone who looks at the collage might start there because it draws attention, and then work their way out.

  After doing this collage I learned some ways to make a successful ad. I got to see what kind of things grabbed my attention, along with other classmates attention. The things that are on the collage's are advertisements that did a good job and get people attention.

Second Map: Geography Map

Geography Map
For my second map assignent I cose to do a geography map. You threw out the idea in class that you could do a map of the Bristol Fourth of July parade route. Being from Bristol, I thought this was a good idea. Knowing most of the streets in downtown bristol i decided to not only give the parade route but streets around it so people can see where to walk or drive on during the parade. I also thought it was a beneficial to locate some great places to eat in Bristol (my opinion). On my map i tried to keep in mind the four color problem. I used as few colors as possible, To show the roads the parade route is on i used blue and red.
When doing thin mind map i used Google earth to help me visualize downtown Bristol. I focused on most of the major roads but left out many smaller roads.

Mind Map

Mind Map #1.
for my first mind map i decided to explore possible options for when i graduate. I am a senior and it scares me to know, that i have no clue what I want to do when I graduate. All my options on the mind map focus around water and the ocean. One personal goal I set for myself is to be on or around the water. I love the ocean and the sun so working on it would make my career enjoyable. In the center of my mind map I chose the word work, because no matter what i decide i will have to be makeing some sort of income. When doing my mind map I found that i had plenty of options for what I want to do once the whole school thing is over. One big option for me was doing research. Being a Marine Biology major one of the best careers after graduating is doing some sort of research. Since I am intersted in many marine fields I thought that research was a good idea. another big possibilty for me was to take a year or two off and head to the British Virgin Islands. There are many opportunities for my down there, not for a full career, but for some work in the mean time. Having my scuba diving liscence and boating captains liscence i would find some sort of job down there. Cleaning boat bottoms or helping dive charters are both options. I also had some local career ideas so i can stay closer to family and home. I am still up in the air for what I am going to chose but Mind Mapping has certaintly helped and get me more focused on thinking.

Mind Map #2
For my second mind map i chose to explore the BVI's option from my first mind map. I was thinking that ounce I find a real career I will be doing it for the rest of my life. I am 21 and am not ready for that. I thought a year or two enjoying myself in tropical weather while still makeing some income was a very good option. In the middle of the mind map i wrote the word BVI and started from there. Time off, stress free, beautiful weather, sailing and everything i love were all coming to my mind.  Making this mind map had me really leaning towards moving down to the islands when i graduated. The time off would be a great break after 20 years of school. I also want to make some money while I am staying there so i was thinking of some job opportunities while living there. I could use my scuba license for something down there. Whether it be cleaning boat bottoms, running charters, are even fishing for lobster I know it would come and handy and be an option for me. Also having a captains license would allow me to be a mate on a vessel, or bigger sailboat. This would be great because I love sailing and would be getting paid for it. The BVI was a fun mind map to construct and led my mind to some great opportunity.

Conclusion: Mind mapping is not just an exercise I did because I had to for class. It really got me thinking about what I want to do after graduating college. The time is getting nearer and i am still up in the air. Mind mapping really intersted me and got my mind wonerding. Even though i did not decide 100% i now have some new ideas.