When first given the assignment to create a complex visual for the final project, our group, consisting of Bronwen Kalmes, Vanessa Silveira, Tom Garvey, and Colin Mallory, had a number of ideas. Trying to construct a visual of what we have learned this semester with the purpose of educating someone who has never take the course is a difficult assignment however our group developed numerous design schemes.
Our first idea was to construct a game. A game appeared to be the best way to cover all the class material while avoiding a monotonous, dull list that would comparatively increase the cognitive load. The first game concept that was constructed was a rendition of the already popular Jeopardy. Drawing rough sketches, we were almost positive that Jeopardy would be our final project.
The first problem we ran into was that we also wanted to incorporate a time-line aspect to the project. This idea of a time-line would allow new students to understand the progression of the course however attempting to incorporate an organized time-line in a game like Jeopardy, that lacks order and direction, proved to be difficult. Our first attempt to overcome this obstacle was to create three columns that divided the semester into three sections. Realizing that the class did not have three discrete sections but numerous sections of equal importance, we eventually decided that Jeopardy would not be the best way method to explain Visual Communications.
Going back to square one, we recognized that we would instead like to create a visual that best represented our idea of a time-line. Reflecting on the semester as a whole, we discussed the most prominent parts of the course and what we would have liked to have access to when first entering the course. We all agreed that creating a visual that focused on the blogs would be the best direction to take.
Deciding this was the best idea, ideas were sketched and we created a design very similar to the popular game ‘Candy Land,’ consisting of a definitive beginning and end with stops in between that sequentially relate to the blogs that were assigned throughout the semester. Each space that we created was a pocket with the appropriate title and inside each carry two index cards: (1) an image acting as an example as well as what was expected for each blog; (2) a description of the graphic and requirements. Another aspect that we were sure include was the intended path of the visual. As we learned in class, we utilized the ‘Z-format’ in order to decrease the cognitive load and correspond with the way our eyes natural read text.
Titling our visual “Comm 165 Visual Tour,” we believe that our outcome had many more purposes than we originally intended. Apart from acting as a graphic that would introduce new students to the course, it would also act as a visual syllabus that students taking the course could refer to, it could be used as a reference for students if they were confused about what was expected of them in each blog, and it could also be used as a visual study guide for exams.
When it comes to working on group projects, the steps are almost always clear, blatant, and ‘black-and-white.’ For this project, however, the steps were less blatant and were open to interpretation forcing my team members and I to brainstorm, experiment, and put trial-and-error to the test. For this project, as thoroughly described above, our team was forced to test the limits and bring many ideas to the table. It was not uncommon that we had to start from scratch after realizing that some ideas simply would not work out as well as we initially thought they would. However difficult it was to overcome the obstacles of trial-and-error, I believe that we constructed the best visual that we could while focusing on our idea of a ‘visual-syllabus.’
Regarding the group, this team was by far one of the best groups I have worked with since I have entered Roger Williams University. Working with Bronwen, Vanessa, and Tom came naturally and each team member contributed valuable aspects to the project. It is not often that each team member gets along and there are minimal communication obstacles however working with these three proved to be the best possible scenario. I believe the process of brainstorming helped to contribute to the open-mindedness of each team member. Each member was free to share his or her ideas without judgement and when it was discussed whether an idea would be valuable to the project or not, we always came from a positive perspective and worked through the ‘hiccups.’
If I were to create this visual again, I would make the poster more visually appealing. Maybe icons or a simple background image would be attractive and utilize ‘stage-setting.’ Overall, I am very satisfied with the outcome of the project as well as the teamwork put forth by each member of the group.
Colin Mallory 