GordonGR03

Information Design ~ Day 3 Let’s not get too serious about designing charts and graphs – this isn’t a life or death deal… or is it?

Ok, for some art directors and designers, they might act like it is. But they will be back tomorrow to draw their lines and have their turf wars over the next great graphic injustice or client alteration. Today’s reading lesson from Visual and Statistical Thinking shared the tragic recount of the Space Shuttle Challenger accident and the role that charts and graphs played in the decision of “go” or “no go” for the scheduled mission. These decisions would forecast the fate of life and ultimate death for seven people. Now to be fair, this critical decision to move forward with the launch was not solely based on some charts. Thirteen charts designed by rocket scientists to be exact. There were influencing factors from several key sides all weighing in heavy on the decision makers. These decision makers were a group of high ranking NASA officials. And the influencing factors were all legitimate pressure points. Sadly, what was lost in the mix of “determinating” factors was the humanity of it all – literally and physically.

The rocket-maker Morton Thiokol and NASA may have been skewed in their perception of these missions becoming predictably mundane. Who knows – maybe a bit of pride and arrogance got in the way as well. There were outside political pressures and bureaucratic reputations to uphold. Huge T.V. broadcast schedules and PR events were in motion. An enormous audience wanted to see a teacher in space… the show had to go on. So what was the problem and why the need to weigh all these factors? This was just the Shuttle after all – one more launch to chalk up and add to the previous 24. Truth is this one was a first. This was the first time a shuttle launch would have to contend with temperatures below freezing. This is where charts and graphs were to be used to reveal the true risk factors. Charts and graphs as tools, delivering clear, concise compelling data. Information Design was about to be put to the ultimate test. Would these 13 charts and graphs deliver “the humanity inside the information”? Sadly, we know the answer. The graphs with their lack of authorship, cluttered data and overall chartjunk were not the caliber of support materials needed for such a critical deliberation. Hind sight is 20/20 and we are all aware of the historical outcomes from this horrible accident. I would like to think that we can learn from the past. The power of properly delivered data incorporating the principles of solid information design can be life and death stuff. What an awesome responsibility – as a designer and a person.

In keeping with the heavy theme of the day, we next were treated to Ray and Charles Eames short film- Powers of Ten. This cinematic gem made me feel small and could also instill the feeling of being the center of the universe – heavy! The film gracefully combined the principles of color, value, shape and size. The film served as an inspiration – not only in its message but also in its art form. I had never seen it before and plan on sharing it with…. um, everyone.
Equally fascinating was the TED of the day: Multitasking - Aaron Koblin. I found his passion for data and design to be contagious. I plan on viewing his segment several more times and may take a shot at illustrating a scene for his interactive music video - the Johnny Cash Project myself.