Flow Chart

The Flow chart in which I created demonstrates how to buy a book on Amazon. I often don't purchase books on Amazon because I like walking into a book store so I had to research a little bit to figure out the steps and process. I first tried drawing out the flow chart but realized it was difficult to create a even flow of same size arrows and boxes. My second attempt was using powerpoint. In the powerpoint program I found it a little easier to create a flow chart. However, I struggled with font sizes because some boxes contained more information than others. If I had more time to do this project I would of tried to figure out how to make the boxes and fonts the same size with everything looking perfect. I am pleased in the way the overall project turned out. I think a flow chart like this is important because it is helpful to be able to see and understand all the steps. Someone who would benefit from this chart would be my mother who never purchases anything online. A step by step with simple "yes" or "no" would help her in the overall process. If I also had more time I would of tried to create better colors for the chart. However, I feel that Powerpoint does not offer good colors to work with. I enjoyed this process and I would use powerpoint again in creating the chart. 

"When Boats on Opposite Tacks Meet"

The explain graphic in which I was trying to represent was when boats meet on opposite tacks. In sailing there are no stop sign or traffic signals like when driving a car and meeting at a intersection. When sailing there are rules in which boats have to sail by in order for there not to be collisions. In sailing a starboard boat has right away over a port tack boat. The port tack boat must avoid the starboard tack boat. According to rule ten in the racing book, "When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat." The graph shows the starboard tack boat holding its course up wind. The port tack boat has two options to avoid the starboard tack boat. Option A the port tack boat can alter its course and take the stern of the starboard tack boat and continue its sail on port. The other option the port tack boat can do is tack (Cross head to wind) and come down to a close-hauled course on starboard tack. The port tack boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible.

The reasoning I chose to demonstrate this is because often times sailing rules can be very difficult to understand and the rule book has no diagrams to explain situations that may occur on the water. The Port/Starboard situation is one that occurs most often in racing. In sailing the color green represents starboard and the color red represents port. I used these colors in the diagram to help someone understand what tack each boat were on. Overall, I am pleased in the way the diagram turned out. If i had more time to do this assignment I would of tried to demonstrate the actual actions in which i boat would have to do in order to avoid the Starboard tack boat. I feel that a sailor understand the situation easily especially with the diagram and one who did not sail could also have a understanding of a boat avoiding contact with another boat and having two options to do so.

Visual Essay

Yummy Pasta

The pasta instructions in which I created were to help someone in creating a dinner dish. I wanted to make sure that the visual representation was easy for one to understand. The level I was trying to teach would be a first time chef. Things in which I thought worked well was the basic steps. I felt that someone could have a good understanding of the process and not get confused. After I created the visual representation of how to make a pasta dish, I asked my roommates if the could follow the steps and understand what I was trying to instruct. All 3 of my roommates understood the overall thought process and idea of how to cook pasta.

If I had more time to do this project again I wish i could created a little key/legend on what you need at the very start. Having a legend I feel would help someone who was going to the store and wondering specifically what they needed for the recipe. I also looking back wish I created one last step and that would be to actually show the final dish of pasta on a plate ready to eat.

Overall though I am happy with the outcome and found this project to be fun and creative. My pasta dish is plain and simple though. Next time maybe I would create a visual representation of how to prepare a dinner for a intermediate cook or possibly expert.

Lawn Chemical Solution

When creating the lawn problem solution I wanted to make sure I created something simplistic but also easily understandable for someone to fallow. The images in which  chose were a insect and a insect with a cross through it. The difference between the two were that one represented insects being present and the one with the cross represented insects not present. To distinguish between dry and wet I used image of rain drops for wet and cactus to represent dry. Lastly I used the sun to show temperatures of above 90 degrees and clouds for temperatures below 90 degrees. I felt when looking at the images without content one could still understand the formula for the lawn. After completing my first graph to the lawn problem I came to the conclusion that there was a lot of information for a person to process especially if it were to be placed on a back of a package. I remembered certain math concepts that simplified large equations. Using what I remembered and the skills that  I have learned in visual communications I used the same images as the first map of directions however changed the set up into a much more simple formula. The end result being the same however I feel the second one would appear easier to understand on the back of a package. I'm happy in the way my formula turned out.

If I had more time to do this project I think  would of tried to come up with a different image to represent dry. If I were to place this on the back of a package I would have created a little legend with the definition of what the image were to represent. This way it would be even more simplistic for the consumer.

Overall  I am pleased with the outcome of my two lawn chemical solution problems. Doing the problem in two different visual forms really helped with the understanding of the cognitive load. Luckily for me my house is built on a steep hill side we we don't have lawn and I do not have to worry about a lawn chemical solution. If though I did have to use this I would probably use B-1. No Bugs, Dry, temperature below 90 degrees and loving perfect San Diego.

Collage

When creating my collage in class i first used magazines in which I enjoy the activities. I used magazines such as Rolling Stones, ESPN, Sailing World, and Men's Journal. Due to the amount of time in which we had to create the collage I quickly went through each magazine and what ever image jumped out at me I would tear out and place it in a pile. I realized after going through all four magazines images that I found appealing were of action and speed. Other Images were of famous musicians,relaxation and partying. Most of the action images also reflected sports that deal with water. I often times enjoy water activities and noticed that in my collage I placed a lot of sailing images and also kite boarding/surfing. Although the collage was put together in a short amount of time it in some ways reflects my life style-action sports, music, drinks, women, and most importantly life. In the very middle of the collage are the words "Go Play" which I often feel is one of the most important things to do in life. The collage reflects being outside having fun and playing. Living life to its fullest is the most important thing. Overall I am very pleased in the way in which my collage turned out and I hope when a person looks at the collage it inspires them to go outside enjoy the water and most importantly just play!!!!

Concept Map

Concept Map Point Loma Surfing
What was I trying to accomplish?
In creating the concept map I wanted to create a map in which a person could use to figure out what is needed and where to surf in Point Loma, CA. I have lived my entire life in Point Loma and have spent many hours in the water and at the beach. I wanted to have a map in which a person who wanted to know where to buy surf gear, spots to surf, and information about the water and its temperature could use and figure out. I also wanted to show off the variety in surf boards in which people could use to go out surfing for different conditions. Surfing was my main focus and the rest came from the concept of surfing in Point Loma.

If I could do something different?

Overall I actually really enjoyed the concept map of surfing in my local neighborhood. If I could however change my concept map I would create one with the concept of surfing all areas in San Diego. The map would then include Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Del Mar and more beach towns up the coast. I think this would allow people to really have a understanding of the surf culture in San Diego and how many spots and shops there truly are. Since San Diego is located in the capital of the Action Sports industry it plays a large role in the society of SD.

If I had more time??

If I had more time in creating the concept map of Point Loma surfing I would try to add actual images of some of the surf areas and store fronts in which the concept map talks about. I think it would be cool if someone could look at the concept map and if they were to visit Point Loma they would be able to recognize some of the store names, or surf spots such as the OB Pier mentioned in the concept map. My hand drawn images gives the person the idea of ocean but not the actual feeling of Point Loma and surfing.

Overall I am very proud though of the way in which the map came out and the colors and pattern of it. I think if one were to be in Point Loma and wanted to surf this map would help them idenity a way in which to get around and get the proper surf board, gear and spot to surf for that day to enjoy the perfect surf break and ride of their life.